A good vintage JLC Memovox to buy?

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kalingwu

·May 11, 2020

Wanting to pull a trigger on this one and would like some OF advice and sanity check to make sure this is a solid vintage Memovox before purchasing given I am a newbie. Is the dial original? Do the case and movement look right etc to you?

The seller said it is Ref 3159 but I think it is actually a E858. I am slightly hesitant since the watch case is a snap back and it looks like it should be a screw in, similar to this one at Hodinkee:
https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/...ence-e858?variant=27729027858507#&gid=1&pid=1

Since I am a newbie, your input would be very valuable!!!

 

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apsm100

·May 11, 2020·Noob taxpayer

It is a 3159. It looks all correct and nice to me. According to Zaf's book there were only 2198 examples.

Edited: May 11, 2020

 

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asrnj77

·May 11, 2020

Go for the jumbo. In my opinion you’ll regret not buying it in 37mm. Lots of nice options out there but I say find a stainless model in 37mm with a nice clean dial

 

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kalingwu

·May 16, 2020

apsm100

It is a 3159. It looks all correct and nice to me. According to Zaf's book there were only 2198 examples.

Thanks @apsm100 this is helpful!

 

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Dan S

·May 16, 2020

It looks nice to me. I'm guessing the ACIER INOXYDABLE case-back was used to give a louder alarm sound.

 

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gatorcpa

·May 16, 2020·ΩF InvestiGator

Dan S

It looks nice to me. I'm guessing the ACIER INOXYDABLE case-back was used to give a louder alarm sound.

Nope, the full gold ones are just as loud.
gatorcpa

 

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Dan S

·May 16, 2020

gatorcpa

Nope, the full gold ones are just as loud.
gatorcpa

So do you think the case-back is correct for this reference? I'm just asking since it's an unusual case-back engraving for a gold-colored case. I have no reason to doubt that the watch is correct, it's just uncommon. Is the case full gold, or plated/filled. I don't see a hallmark.

 

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gatorcpa

·May 16, 2020·ΩF InvestiGator

Dan S

So do you think the case-back is correct for this reference?

It could be. JLC made some that way.

It’s a different reference, but anything is possible.

If you aren’t sure, you could order an Extract of the Archives from Jaeger-LeCoultre. Cost is not cheap and will take a long time.
gatorcpa