{"id":26360,"date":"2021-03-27T05:59:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-27T05:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/the-jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-watches-hands-on\/"},"modified":"2023-07-09T10:19:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-09T08:19:09","slug":"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-2018-collection-hands-on-horbiter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-2018-collection-hands-on-horbiter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris watches hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jaeger<\/strong>\u2013LeCoultre<\/strong> has been around for almost two centuries, builds great calibers and is known around the world for his iconic Reverso<\/strong>. But mentioning just the Reverso<\/strong> would not tell the whole story about the brand\u2019s know-how that has produced oustanding mechanical calibers, some of them currently equipping other watches of the Richemont Group<\/strong> too.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-collection\"Among its various modern collections there is also the Polaris<\/strong>, a re-issue of the Polaris Memovox<\/strong> from 1968<\/strong> for which, a few years ago, they reintroduced a \u201cTribute to 1968<\/strong>\u201d version that is today quite sought after by collectors.<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox<\/h2>\n

Born in 1968<\/strong> it was produced in 1714<\/strong> units and is still today one of Jaeger<\/strong>\u2013LeCoultre<\/strong>\u2018s rarest and most collectible watches. The combination of mechanical complexity and case structure have consacrated it to history. The original version was an \u201calarm watch\u201d with deep diving specs coupled to a mechanical alarm system.<\/p>\n

\"Jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-memovox\"It was equipped with a double case back, one allowing for water tightness and a second one featuring 16 holes so as to allow the sound of the hammers to be easily heard. The combination of these two different features is not trivial and if we consider how long it took Audemars<\/strong> Piguet<\/strong> to develop the Royal Oak Concept SuperSonnerie<\/strong>, a waterproof watch equipped with a minute repeater complication, we realize how vast was Jaeger<\/strong>\u2013LeCoultre<\/strong> knowledge in this field already 50 years ago.<\/p>\n

A modern reinterpretation<\/h2>\n

As it is common when reissuing modern versions of iconic watches, the design and the most recognizable details of the watch are preserved so as to give continuity with the past; the changes pertain mainly to the use of modern materials, a slightly refreshed and modernized shape and the introduction of new calibers along with mechanical complications.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-automatic-1\"The new Polaris<\/strong> confirms these rules by leaving virtually unchanged the design of the indexes and the font of the arabic numbers while introducing a gold case, new dials and a new caliber that combines for instance a chronograph<\/strong> with a world time complication<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The dial<\/h2>\n

It is clear that the new Polaris<\/strong> collection is a nod to the Polaris Memovox<\/strong> from 1968<\/strong>. It is the same concept often used in the American basket circles; Michael Jordan<\/strong>, Kobe Bryant<\/strong> and LeBron James<\/strong> are the three players that have marked the NBA<\/strong>\u2018s history in the last 30 years. Yet each player has been inspired by his predecessor and adapted that style of play to his own style.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-chronograph-world-time-2\"The dial of the Polaris<\/strong>, though holding on to the original design, has evolved. There are three different finishes altogether: a sunray<\/strong> decoration<\/strong> in the center, a second grain<\/strong>\u2013finished<\/strong> finish and a totally opaque<\/strong> external crown<\/strong> with applied minute indexes. The variations in look generated by the wrist movement is ample and reaches its best look and feel with the blue dial.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-chronograph-world-time-1\"Almost all major brands have introduced a blue dial (Rolex<\/strong> has launched the Yacht Master I<\/strong>, the Date-Just<\/strong> and the Sky-Dweller<\/strong>; Patek<\/strong> Philippe<\/strong> the 5711<\/strong> and 5712<\/strong>; IWC<\/strong> launched a blue Portugieser<\/strong>, etc\u2026) yet few have had the courage to adopt it on a watch of evident vintage appeal.<\/p>\n

The mechanical complications<\/h2>\n

The combinations available are able to satisfy the most demanding buyer. Let\u2019s look at them in detail:<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre <\/strong><\/span>Polaris Automatic<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

It is operated by the caliber 898E<\/strong>\/1<\/strong> with 40 hours<\/strong> of power reserve<\/strong> and C\u00f4tes de Gen\u00e9ve<\/strong> decoration, bluish screws and a winding rotor sporting the JL<\/strong> logo. It is 41mm<\/strong> wide and 11,2mm<\/strong> thick, is water resistant to 10 bars<\/strong> and has two crowns; the one located at 4 o\u2019clock is to set the time while the one at 2 o\u2019clock operates the inner ring.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-automatic-2\"This is the entry level to the collection and is available with blue or black dial and 3 different straps\/bracelets. The stainless steel bracelet is new and combines polished and brushed surfaces. Retail prices are \u20ac7.750<\/strong>, \u20ac6.850<\/strong> and \u20ac7.000<\/strong> respectively, depending on the leather\/bracelet combination chosen.<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre <\/strong><\/span>Polaris Date<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Unlike the previous model it sports the date window at 3 and is powered by caliber 899A<\/strong>\/1<\/strong> with 39 hours of reserve power reserve<\/strong>. Case dimension grows to 42mm<\/strong> and thickness to 13,1mm<\/strong> with water resistance raising to 200mt<\/strong>. It is only available with a black dial. It comes in stainless steel on a special rubber strap with \u201cClous de Paris<\/strong>\u201d motif. The suggested retail price is \u20ac7.850<\/strong> and represents the most professional and robust version so far.<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre <\/strong><\/span>Polaris Memovox<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is the reissue of the Polaris 1968<\/strong> equipped with the 45 hours of power reserve caliber 956<\/strong>. 42mm<\/strong> wide and 15.9mm<\/strong> thick, it is 200mt<\/strong> water resistant and comes only with a black dial.<\/p>\n

\"Jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-memovox-1\"Since it features a mechanical alarm, it has three crowns; the crown at 2 activates the alarm, at 3 is the crown that manages the inner ring and the crown at 4 is to set both time and date. The strong green lume is guaranteed by a vanilla colored SuperLuminova<\/strong>\u00ae. Only 1000<\/strong> pieces<\/strong> have been produced each retailing for \u20ac13.100<\/strong> and is available only with a natural rubber strap, just like the Polaris Date<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre <\/strong><\/span>Polaris Chronograph<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

It is a bi-compax chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, 12-hour counter at 9 operated by caliber 751H<\/strong> that features a skeletonized rotor and offers a 65<\/strong>\u2013hour<\/strong> power reserve<\/strong>. The case is 42mm<\/strong> wide and is water resistant to 100m<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-chronograph-rose-gold\"Aside from the classic version in steel, Jaeger<\/strong>\u2013LeCoultre<\/strong> offers a rose gold version coupled to an elegant anthracite dial and the same specs available on the steel version too.<\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-chronograph\"You can opt for a blue or black dial and various bracelet combinations; they all retail between \u20ac10.100<\/strong> and \u20ac11.000<\/strong> whereas the gold version with a brown alligator strap stops at \u20ac24.900<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Cronograph World Time<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

with its world time function it represents the top of the collection; the case is in titanium<\/strong> and the diameter is increased to 44mm<\/strong>, while the caliber 752<\/strong> guarantees about 65 hours of power reserve<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"jaeger-lecoultre-polaris-chronograph-world-time\"At hour 2, 3 and 4 there are buttons and crown to manage the time and chronograph while at 10 there\u2019s a crown to rotate the outer ring containing the 24 time zones and the corresponding reference cities. Retail prices are between \u20ac14.700<\/strong> and \u20ac14.800<\/strong> depending on the version selected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n

Jaeger<\/strong>\u2013LeCoultre<\/strong> has been able in my opinion to reinvent a classic sportswatch without losing sight of its heritage while offering unexpected combinations to the die-hard fans of the brand.\u00a0<\/span>I believe, in particular, that the chronograph in pink gold with anthracite dial and the chronograph equipped with world time complication are the most successful ones.<\/p>\n

The first one, especially, thanks to the combination of vintage taste, anthracite dial and rose gold. Even the entry level model, a three hands automatic timepiece, is a great watch, able to grab the attention of younger buyers who are approaching the world of mechanical watchmaking. The cons are their retail prices, that have sky-rocketed and confirm unfortunately an unstoppable market trend.<\/p>\n