Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox R-Alarm: The “Voice” of Aston Martin, The Allure of La Sarthe (VIDEO)

The 2005 Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox R-Alarm commemorated Aston Martin’s return to the 24 Hours of Lemans. One of only 500 produced, this Memovox alarm watch’s 44mm titanium case and British Racing Green leave no doubt that it was designed for connoisseurs of high-performance machines. Lemans 2015 is set to race this weekend; care for an experienced co-driver?

In fact, 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 issued the Amvox series, a family of luxury watches designed to pay tribute to the companies’ joint history.

A year later, Aston Martin returned to racing with the DBR-9, and Jaeger-LeCoultre modified the Amvox accordingly. The bigger (44mm vs. 42mm), bolder (motorsport-inspired colors abound), and more exclusive (limited to 500 titanium and 150 platinum examples) Amvox R-Alarm literally roared to life in honor of the reborn Aston Martin LeMans campaign.

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

British Racing Green is the dominant feature of the titanium Amvox R-Alarm. As the traditional racing color of British competitors in international competition, green is a pervasive presence on the dial and corresponding calf skin strap.

The strap is a highlight of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox R-Alarm. Its color and texture pay tribute to two different eras in motorsports. The early 20th century gets its due from the BRG color scheme, but the pressed “carbon fiber” weave pattern reflects the inextricable link between this iconic material and modern world-class racing machines. A double-deployant brushed titanium clasp ensures security on the wrist.

Three crowns in the style of automotive gas caps serve the Amvox R-Alarm‘s useful suite of complications. While automotive motifs play a role, the design of this Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox R-Alarm owes a debt of gratitude to a true Vallee de Joux immortal: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris diving alarm.

Each Amvox emulates the “Super Compressor” case shape, triple crown layout, numeral style, (rarely seen) “Calypso” hands, and internal rotating dive bezel of the famous late-1960s underwater icon.

That final feature – the internal calibrated bezel – is a major hidden asset to the owner of this JLC Amvox R-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‘s cal. 918 includes all of the standard refinements including hacking (stop) seconds, a jump-date, and the company’s signature “Master 1000 Hours” chronometric 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.

See this exuberant and exclusive Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox R-Alarm in high-resolution images on www.watchuwant.com