Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox Alarm: Loud & Proud as an Aston Martin

The 2005 Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox 1 Alarm is the logical extension of a legacy that spans over eighty years. As an historic supplier of Aston Martin automobile gauges, Jaeger-LeCoultre has unique credibility in the sub-genre of auto-branded luxury watches. And with an alarm function that could overpower the roar of the Lemans starting grid, the Amvox 1 Alarm leaves no doubt that it was designed for connoisseurs of high-performance machines.

The relationship between Le Sentier’s top watch manufacture and Britain’s premier touring car constructor stretches back to the 1920s, when “Jaeger” dashboard instruments graced the interiors of the first Aston Martin sports/racing cars. In 2004, the long-running partners announced the Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox series, a family of luxury watches designed to pay tribute to the companies’ joint history.

Each Amvox timepiece, regardless of generation, incorporates elements of style gleaned from their automotive inspiration. The 40mm stainless steel Amvox Alarm features 270-degree dial calibration designed to echo the corresponding pattern on vintage Aston Martin speedometers.

This dial is more than an automotive reference; it’s an homage to JLC’s own sports watch heritage. The black lacquered dial base, “Calypso” hands, and unique font recall the legendary 1968 Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Diving Alarm. Although JLC issued a tribute to Polaris re-edition model in 2008, the Amvox pre-dates that reference, and it represents JLC’s first effort to test the waters for a Polaris resurrection. Unlike the Tribute to Polaris, however, the Amvox 1 Alarm stands on its own four lugs as a future classic model with no need to bask in reflected glory.

The strap is a highlight of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox 1 Alarm. Each strap exhibits rich color and buttery smooth texture that evoke the Connolly leather upholstery of vintage Aston Martin grand touring cars. Bolstering at the inner edges of the strap adds masculine strength to the accessory, and semi-conforming spring bars ensure a close fit between the strap and the curved case flank.

Three crowns in the style of automotive gas caps serve the Amvox 1 Alarm’s useful suite of complications. While automotive motifs play a role, the design of this Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox 1 Alarm once again owes a debt of gratitude to the Polaris diving alarm. Each Amvox emulates the “Super Compressor” case shape, triple-crown layout and internal rotating bezel of the late-1960s underwater icon.

That final feature – the internal calibrated bezel – is a major hidden asset to the owner of this JLC Amvox 1 Alarm. It can be used as a convenient 0-60 minute timer for keeping track of events ON track – or anywhere else the owner may pass the time. Inside the case, a Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 918 automatic alarm movement keeps the beat.

JLC includes all of the standard refinements including hacking (stop) seconds, a jump-date, and the company’s signature “Master 1000 Hours” chronometry certification. But the caliber 918 includes a special addition: a hanging gong alarm loud enough to wake a tired driver preparing for the final stint of a 24-hour race.