Jaeger-LeCoultre Reference 11016

A Clous de Paris alarm clock from Christmas of 1972

By Charlie Dunne

Like the LeCoultre 8 Day Alarm Travel Clock Reference 53 and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference 3157 “Travalarm”, the world of JLC alarm travel clocks is one of the most fascinating genres within the Le Sentier manufacturer’s production catalogue. Based upon the stamped numerical ID on the inner caseback, the alarm travel clock is designated as reference 11016.

vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre reference 11016 alarm travel clock
vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre reference 11016 alarm travel clock

The Dial

Signed “Jaeger-LeCoultre”, the fixed-exterior dial is complemented with thick-painted Roman numerals. Contrasting the vertical finish on the outside dial, the central rotating disk features a very attractive-gold sunburst finish.

The lume plots are very puffy and stand about 2mm above the dial. The luminous material is tritium, as indicated by the
”T Swiss Made T” below 6 o’clock,

The Movement

The reference 11016 is powered by the calibre 911, a movement most commonly found in the Memovox wristwatches. It is a manual wind movement, with a sweep seconds and calendar function.

The Alarm

Calibre 911

 
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 1 of 6
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 3 of 6
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 4 of 6
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 2 of 6
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 4 of 6
JLC calibre 910 / calibre 911 Repair Notes 6 of 6

Technical sheet for calibre 911 (and calibre 910). Image credit: watchguy.co.uk

 

Marketing Brochures & Advertisements

 

Image credit: Watch Pro Site

 

Image credit: Watch Pro Site

 
 

Image credit: http://nakahiro.parfait.ne.jp/

1970s Jaeger-LeCoultre advertisement featuring a Polaris E 859, Memovox reference E 872, and the reference 11016

1970s Jaeger-LeCoultre advertisement featuring a Polaris E 859, Memovox reference E 872, and the reference 11016

The Case

Clous de Paris Jaeger-LeCoultre

The case is decorated with a clous de Paris pattern which gives off a super-refined look. The style is almost polarizing and strikingly different than the impression from leather-coated examples from decades prior.

The dial and movement are housed within the carved section of the case’s center which is held in place by the snap-on caseback.

 

The case is complemented by gold-toned “JL” signed crowns which have developed a charming patina over the decades.

The Engraving

 

The interior-folding stand features the engraving “Weihnachten 1972” which loosely translates to “white night”. It is also used in describing both the singular day or plural (season) of “Christmas”. The term is used in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria shedding light on where the timepiece’s origin derives.