Hey guys, while waiting for my Zaf Basha JLC book to get here, I figured I'd crowd source some of this since I'm not easily finding it on the internet.

1) Is there a place to lookup ref #'s for the Memovox's to learn more details?
2) Before I break it, I'd like to know how to set the date on this thing? My date wheel only turns to a new day when I manually turn the hours hands enough to get past 12, etc.
3) Suggestions on a dressy leather strap to put on it, I'm eventually taking the GF bracelet off and maybe selling or keeping from getting damaged, since they're so rare on these.

Thanks for the input, oh and here's the newly acquired watch which arrived... today in fact (Sorry for the bad photos and dust on the crystal.. still trying to master that art.. errrr)

 

Yep, you have to keep rotating the hands forward to advance the date. You might be able to rock them - go past 1 AM then back to 9 PM, then past 1 AM, etc. This might damage the mechanism though - not sure with this watch as I don't own one anymore.

 

The manual date is a pain - I don't bother changing it anymore. The Basha book covers all of the key models that JLC released up to the 70s or so. Other than that, Google different models and you'll find more info.

There's a guy on the JLC watchprosite who has a large number of vintage memovox(i?) there, I think his username is Blonman.

 

Awesome, good to know thanks. I'll try to find him, or just stick it out and wait till Basha book comes in. Either way the watch is fantastic and its my first vintage dress watch I've bought.. Amazing how well kept it is, to be 50+ yrs old.

Thanks for the input.

 

Here are some links:

http://jlc.watchprosite.com/show-fo...028/t-jlc-the-beginning-of-a-rainbow-of-e855/

http://jlc.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-2/pi-3099351/ti-512996/t-jlc-e855-yin-and-yang/

http://jlc.watchprosite.com/show-fo...year-and-during-the-holidays-i-had-some-time/

Also, your watch is on page 129 of the Basha book. Late 60s European market.

 

@x3no The caliber 825 is a "semi-quickset". Not a lot better honestly, than a non-quickset.

Rotate the hands clockwise until the date changes. Continue the hands past 2:30/3:00 (it's not exact on all watches. Then reverse the hands....slowly please...back to 9:30/9:00. Then go clockwise again, and the date should advance. Repeat as needed.

Top crown winds the alarm. Pull it out to set the alarm time, then push it back it. Watch will ring at set time! It is quite a loud buzz.

Bottom crown winds the watch. It's an automatic, so it won't ever stop winding. I give mine 30 or so winds and good to go.

This reference was discontinued in 1969.

 

@Darlinboy thanks for the info! I've tried the alarm, and its pretty amazing the buzzing sound it makes. It's methodical and not annoying.

I'll try that with setting the date, but probably will just leave it alone for now.

It's an auto, awesome! I thought it might be a manual wind, but it winds itself on movement--sweet!

Is there any way I can tell the actual year this one was produced? Either by combining movement #'s and case #?

 

Post the (edit: Movement serial) here: http://www.jaegerlecoultreforum.com/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=1a82498da68d2d1b2f403e97042f90b6 And Zaf will likely answer with a range.

My movement serial is 1,931,xxx which is at or near the end of production in 1969.

In case I wasn't clear, the time/date winds auto, the alarm wind is manual.


@x3no

 

@Darlinboy Great, thanks for that link. Going there and posting now. My case-back serial is 1,148,030

Yup you were 100% clear, I gotcha!

 

You really need the movement serial number, but if it matches or is even close that would put it around late 1961 or early 1962.

So I sell a few watches, and now I get no respect! (check the very first reply to your original post)

 

Definitely want one of these! Seems so hard to find one in good condition!

 

I suspect it may have been your um.. confidence inspiring instructions that gave pause.

"This might damage the mechanism though - not sure with this watch as I don't own one anymore."

 

LOL I did not mean any disrespect, I have the most respect for you and everyone else at this forum. You guys are the best. If I send a few bottles of aged Cabernet would that make it better?

 

No worries - I was just busting your stones.

Who here would say no to alcohol?

 

The date is a pain - even my modern Master Compressor Memovox is the same way:



I keep it on a winder because of this...

 

Wait, are you Dennis, the one that loves and collects Wine, or is that someone else? I'm still trying to get to know everyone here on a first name basis

Beautiful Compressor, nice background too. Yea I'm not worried about the date anymore.. I'll either do the hack to get the date right, and then keep it wound if I can.. or just let the date roll back around before I set it again. Either way it won't stop me from enjoying this watch!

 

Yes, that's me.