An interwoven heritage of time and travel
Jaeger-LeCoultre's rich watchmaking heritage extends to the realm of travel, marked by the creation of Dual Time and World Time wristwatches, as well as travel clocks in various forms. Marrying this technical expertise with aesthetic elegance, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a legacy of nomadic timekeepers distinguished by unexpected, meticulously crafted designs – some enhanced with functions such as thermometers and barometers.
This story is inextricably linked to the iconic Memovox alarm calibre, introduced in 1950. Announced by an advertisement headlined “Memovox reminds, notifies, and wakes up”, the Memovox (derived from the Latin for ‘voice of memory’) was initially designed for wristwatches to help businessmen remember their appointments. Given its utility, it was natural that Jaeger-LeCoultre should adapt the Memovox complication for a series of desktop and travel clocks from the early 1950s onwards. In both watches and clocks, the Memovox Calibre translates into a distinctive dial, with a triangular pointer at the edge of a mobile central disc indicating the alarm time, and a distinctive Memovox sound reminiscent of a traditional school bell.
Function and form in perfect harmony
A master in the marriage of function and form, Marc Newson brings a fresh eye to the technical and visual lineage of the Memovox, creating a contemporary object that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical and easy to use. In a symbiotic union of skills, Jaeger-LeCoultre harnessed its watchmaking expertise to bring the designer’s vision to life, developing several technical innovations to make it possible.
The clock is powered by a completely new, manually wound movement, Calibre 256, featuring the signature Memovox complication. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre calibres, it was conceived, designed and produced entirely in-house. To eliminate concerns for travelers about rewinding the clock, Calibre 256 offers an exceptionally long power reserve of 12 days thanks to two large barrels dedicated to the timekeeping function. An additional third barrel is used exclusively for alarm mechanism.
Inspired by the traditional Memovox dials, the dial design plays on circles within circles, anchored by a distinctive power reserve indicator, shown in narrow apertures that form a broken circle around the large Arabic numerals. One day of power reserve corresponds to one hour on the dial, so that when the barrel is fully wound, all 12 indicators are orange. Starting from 12 o’clock and moving in an anti-clockwise direction, with each day that the power reserve reduces, the corresponding indicator turns blue.
The apparent simplicity of the display belies the technical feat behind it – a new mechanism developed and patented by Jaeger-LeCoultre comprising two intertwined helicoidal rings: a mobile ring in orange and a fixed ring in blue. Surrounding the mobile central disc of the dial, which carries the Memovox’s emblematic triangular alarm pointer, minutes are marked on a fixed ring. With a narrow bezel and striking orange-and-blue colour palette adding a contemporary note and enhancing legibility, the hands and the alarm triangle are coated in SuperLuminova® for maximum visibility in low light.
Forged from the ethereal strength of titanium, the Memovox Travel Clock, a perfect sphere of lightness and resilience, embraces a diameter of 69 mm and a slender profile of 18 mm. Continuing the theme of circles within circles and the complete absence of visual clutter, a folding stand is integrated into the caseback, for use on a desk or bedside table. Concealed beneath the bezel, a peripheral winding crown offers the tactile pleasure of manual winding, time-setting and alarm setting – the desired function chosen by an integrated selector button.
The orange-and-blue colour scheme is echoed on the case back, with a central indicator for the alarm power reserve (orange turning to blue as it runs down) and a blue band on the underside of the winder, bearing several engravings, including the year edition and the series number of the clock, for which production is limited to 100 pieces per year.
A case display: a design thought through to the finest detail
To complete the Memovox Travel Clock, Marc Newson collaborated with Schedoni, an historic, family-run leather workshop located in the heart of Modena and renowned for its work on classic Italian sports cars of the mid-20th century, as well as its signature leather-molding techniques. The clock is nestled within its own travel pouch, for its journey. This pouch, in turn, finds its place within a comprehensive travel pack, thoughtfully designed to also embrace three beloved wristwatches. Completing this ensemble, a curated kit of essential tools awaits: a discerning magnifying glass, a precise strap removal tool, and a screwdriver.
A dedicated display stand also accompanies the timekeeper, ideal for use when the clock is ‘at home’ on a desk or bedside table for an extended period. Each of these companions – the pouch, the travel pack, and the elegant display stand – is meticulously crafted by the Italian luxury Maison Schedoni. Made from the finest tan-coloured, natural open-pore cowhide leather, their surfaces graced with the artistry of contrasting beige hand-stitching, a testament to enduring quality and design.
