LeCoultre Wrist Alarm Reference 2052-1
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1950s
Maker / issuer
LeCoultreThis 1950s LeCoultre Wrist Alarm, often referred to as the Memovox for the US market, is a manual-wind wristwatch housing the Caliber 814 movement. The dial is silver-toned with an inner rotating alarm indicator, featuring radium-lumed hour plots and hands.
The case back bears a specific hand-engraving dedicated to a staff member of the US Navy command COMCRUDESPAC, dated between August 1953 and June 1955. The watch is currently paired with a handmade two-piece leather strap. It is reported to be keeping time, although its full service history remains unknown to the vendor.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Alarm wristwatch
- Brand
- LeCoultre
- Movement
- Caliber 814
- Engraving
- Staff, COMCRUDESPAC, Aug 53 - June 55, to N1, Compliments of your team.
- Case Diameter
- 32mm
- Case Material
- 10K Yellow Gold-Filled
- Serial Number
- 877XXXX
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Reference Number
- 2052-1
- Maker / attribution
- LeCoultre
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The silver-toned dial features an inner rotating disk used for the alarm complication. The dial displays discoloration and signs of aging, while the printing remains intact. Hour positions are marked with radium plots which have developed a beige patina. The hands are tipped with radium material that has aged to a darker shade than the dial markers. An inner blue print on the rotating dial provides contrast. UV inspection indicates that the lume plots are intact and the hands remain in stable condition.
- Case and Crowns
- The watch is housed in a 32mm 10K yellow gold-filled case. The design incorporates elongated lugs and a polished finish. The auction description reports that the case exhibits light signs of previous polishing and gentle wear consistent with age. These crowns are unsigned, and the source notes that they are believed to be early replacements rather than original components. The case back is personalized with a specific hand engraving commemorating service to a US Navy staff member.
- Visible features
- • Silver dial with inner rotating alarm track • Dual winding crowns positioned on the right side of the case • Hand-engraved case back referencing US Navy personnel • Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch is powered by the manual-wind Caliber 814 movement. This movement incorporates an alarm complication, which is engaged and set via the top crown. The vendor describes the alarm sound as crisp and audible. According to the auction description, the timepiece is currently keeping time. However, the service history is not provided, and the vendor advises that a full movement service may be required.
Identification
- Reference
- 2052-1
- Serial number
- 877XXXX
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Unsigned crowns are reported as potential early replacements
- Research required: Service history is unknown
- Research required: Exact manufacturing origin is not explicitly stated