OVERVIEW
THE REINVENTION OF THE TRAVEL CLOCK BY MARC NEWSON
DESIGN
MINIMALISTIC AESTHETICS BY MARC NEWSON
Marc Newson's design for the Memovox Travel Clock brings a fresh eye to the technical and visual lineage of the Memovox, creating a contemporary object both aesthetically pleasing in its radical design purity and practical. The design translates the shared pursuit of form, mechanics and contemporary refinement.
A STRONG MEMOVOX IDENTITY
Inspired by the traditional Memovox dial, the dial design plays on circles within circles, anchored by a distinctive power reserve indicator shown in narrows apertures forming a broken circle around the large Arabic numerals. With an opaline finish, the dial is completed by an orange-and-blue colour palette for a contemporary note.
A TACTILE TITANIUM CASE
Housed in a titanium case solely developed for the Memovox Travel Clock, the case was designed to be both robust and lightweight. The clock sits comfortably in the palm of the hand and a folding stand is integrated into the case-back to enable its display on a desk or bedside table.
SOPHISTICATED SCHEDONI LEATHER ACCESSORIES
The leather accessories designed by Marc Newson are an inherent part of the Memovox Travel Clock design and were created by Schedoni, an historic, family-run Italian leather workshop. The collaboration brought forth a travel pouch, a travel bag and a display stand, all three made from natural cowhide leather. Hidden in the travel bag, the owner will also enjoy a set of watchmaking tools.
FUNCTIONS
A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PAST AND FUTURE
The Memovox, meaning “voice of memory”, bridges both the past and future of the Maison. The Memovox Travel Clock showcases this philosophy, contrasting its historical Memovox sound with an innovative alarm power reserve indicator and unique peripheral crown.
SIGNATURE MEMOVOX SOUND
Created in 1950, the historical Memovox alarm calibre codes are translated into the Travel Clock version. Showcasing the dial with the emblematic orange triangular pointer in SuperLuminova® at the edge of the mobile central disc, it indicates the alarm time with the unique Memovox sound reminiscent of a traditional school bell.
As a Memovox, the alarm was a fundamental attribute. Achieving the desired, mechanically derived, sonic resonance was a key factor in the acoustic development of the tone.
PATENTED POWER RESERVE DISPLAY
The power reserve is displayed in the narrow apertures on the periphery of the dial where one day of power reserve corresponds to one hour on the dial. When the barrel is fully wound, all 12 indicators are orange, and they turn blue in an anticlockwise direction as the power reserve reduces thanks to the patented use of intertwined helicoidal rings.
INTUITIVE PERIPHERAL CROWN
The peripheral winding crown offers four functions thanks to a two-tiered selector on the back of the case, revealed at 12 o’clock beneath the integrated folding stand. One side of the selector is dedicated to the time functions, the other side to the alarm. The two sub-positions within one specific mode allow for the winding or setting: the first position winds the respective barrel (either the regulating organ barrels or the Memovox dedicated barrel) while the second position allows for the setting of the time or the alarm.
CALIBRE
THE EMBODIMENT OF INVENTIVENESS
Jaeger-LeCoultre harnessed its watchmaking expertise to bring Marc Newson’s vision to life, developing several technical innovations over a period of five years and taking form in a manually wound movement: Calibre 256. Shape, size, proportions and mass were all entirely redefined for this project.
MOVEMENT
12-DAY POWER RESERVE
To eliminate concerns for travelers about rewinding the clock, Calibre 256 offers an exceptionally long power reserve of 12 days thanks to two large barrels dedicated to the timekeeping function. An additional third barrel is used exclusively for alarm mechanism.
HERITAGE
A RICH HERITAGE OF TIME AND TRAVEL
The 20th century opened a world in constant motion where time could no longer remain confined to the home, leading Jaeger-LeCoultre to the creation of portable objects, designed to live alongside their owners. The 1950 creation of Memovox mechanical alarm, transforming time from a passive indication into an active signal, was soon adapted to desk clocks and travel objects. The legacy continues today through the collaboration with Marc Newson and its reinterpretation of the Memovox Travel Clock.
LA GRANDE MAISON
THE WATCHMAKER OF WATCHMAKERS™
190+ YEARS
Since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s quest for excellence combines creativity and technical mastery.
430+ PATENTS
The Manufacture’s engineers and designers unite their passion and expertise to develop cutting-edge complications.
1400+ CALIBRES
Over the years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has never ceased to innovate, creating unique and original calibres of great complexity.
