Geneva, May 14, 2023

LOT 23

JAEGER LECOULTRE, REF. E857, MEMOVOX DEEPSEA, EUROPEAN VERSION, TROPICAL DIAL, STEEL

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 20,400 - 30,600 / USD 22,600 - 33,800 / HKD 178,000 - 266,000

Sold: CHF 30,000

A very fine, early, extremely rare, self-winding, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with alarm


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view Click to full view
Image Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-6-8

Good

Slightly oxidized

Slightly scratched

Movement: 3 *
Dial: 3-6-01-05

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

HANDS Luminous material reapplied

Brand Jaeger Lecoultre, Switzerland

Model Memovox Deep Sea

Reference E857

Year Made in 1960

Movement No. 1377963

Case No. 793780

Diameter 39 mm.

Caliber K815, 17 jewels

Signature Dial, case and movement signed

Accessories extract from the archives

Notes

Not present in any literature or advertising and produced only during 3 years from 1959 to 1962 in 1061 pieces (even less than the later Polaris made in 1714 examples), it was marketed as not only the first diving wristwatch by Jaeger Lecoultre but also as the first diving watch with mechanical alarm. While the US edition (featuring a different dial configuration with baton indexes) and only signed LeCoultre, this particular Deep Sea Alarm is the much rarer European version signed Jaeger LeCoultre featuring triangular indexes and made in only about 200 examples overall. Recently discovered in an abandoned convenience store in France, the example has been left in as found condition featuring a beautiful tropical brown dial.

Provenance

Property of a French Gentleman