JAEGER-LECOULTRE MEMOVOX SPEED-BEAT – JUMBO REF. E 876 – CALIBRE 916

What are we looking at?

A superb Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox E 876 from the 1970s, powered by the automatic high-frequency Calibre 916.

The E 876 belongs to the more adventurous generation of Memovox watches. Its broad cushion-shaped stainless-steel case is unmistakably seventies, but the proportions remain surprisingly controlled. At 38 mm without the crowns and approximately 45 mm from lug to lug, it has real presence without becoming unnecessarily large.

Inside is the technically important Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 916. Introduced in 1969, it replaced the earlier bumper-automatic Memovox movements with a freely rotating automatic rotor and increased the frequency to 28,800 vibrations per hour—hence the name “Speed-Beat”. A separate barrel powers the alarm, which is set using the rotating central disc.

A mechanical alarm is one of those complications that seems unnecessary until you own one. Then suddenly every coffee break requires a reminder.

What do we need to know?

The dial is the real reason to look twice.

It is, by far and without doubt, the cleanest dial I have ever seen on this reference. The surface, printing, hands and luminous material are exceptionally well preserved—everything is very close to perfect.

In fact, it looks better than it did when new. The original tritium has aged to a warm, creamy vanilla tone, giving the watch exactly the colour that collectors hope for but very rarely find. There are no distracting marks and no unattractive ageing. Just a flawless silver dial with beautifully matching hands and lume.

The stainless-steel case has received a light polish in the past. For this reference, that is not a major concern in my eyes. The case remains sharp and clean, with its characteristic shape and edges clearly intact.

The screw-down caseback shows only minor signs of wear. There are no noticeable scratches and no visible indication that the caseback itself has been polished.

The Calibre 916 movement is exceptionally clean. At the time of cataloguing, it was running at approximately +7 seconds per day, with a healthy amplitude of 278 degrees.

The alarm works exactly as it should, producing a strong and unmistakable chime for up to approximately 12 seconds. Quiet it is not—but that rather defeats the purpose.

The watch is fitted with our Watchurbia “The Desert Drift” suede strap, handmade in Germany. Yet another piece of evidence that this strap suits absolutely every watch.

A sharp E 876 is already difficult to find. One with a dial, hands and tritium in this condition is something else entirely.