At this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), there was a lot of buzz surrounding Jaeger-LeCoultre’s all new pillar to join its other distinctive lines – the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection, which draws its inspirations from the iconic Memovox Polaris watch from 1968. Not just a single homage to a historical reference, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection takes the spirit of the Memovox Polaris and applies it to today’s man of action with a full range of timepieces.
Combining the maison’s high manufacturing know-how with the robustness, design aesthetic and sporty elegance of contemporary timepieces, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris is destined to become the symbol for an active lifestyle and includes five stunning watches: a three-hand automatic, a chronograph and a chronograph world time, as well as two models with a stronger vintage feel - the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox.
The dial architecture of watches in the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection is distinctive, combining a mixture of finishings on three concentric circles: a Memovox Polaris-inspired centre with a sunray finish, graining on the outer circle with the hours and minutes, and an opaline finish on the rotating inner bezel. The maison’s logo is applied, as are the classic Arabic numbers and the contemporary trapezoidal indexes. The large, Super-LumiNova-filled hands assure excellent visibility, and in two models, is vintage vanilla-coloured as an homage to the look of Tritium featured on the original Memovox Polaris. Historically black, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris is offered in a black or ocean blue dial, bringing a sense of urban elegance.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic introduces the collection, featuring the two crowns – a detail unique to this line – for time setting and one for the inner rotating bezel, the latter of which speaks to the diving-inspired nature of this timepiece. This 41mm stainless steel watch beats to the tune of the caliber 898/1, and features interchangeable straps – including a new three-link bracelet - with a new folding buckle.
The 42mm Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph is the sportiest of the new line, equipped with a tachymeter bezel that allows you to determine your speed over a fixed distance, perfect for days at the track or to check your own speed on the highway. The pushers of this precision instrument have been redesigned for a better grip, and the thin bezel helps to open the dial for maximum readability. This new model offers sharp contrast so the chronograph subdials can be read quickly, complete with oversized triangular indices. A precious metal version of this watch is also available, featuring a 42mm case and oscillating weight in rose gold.
One of the two vintage-flavoured watches in the collection is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT, which is equipped with in-house chronograph and the world time complication, making it ideal for the frequent traveller. It not only features the two chronograph pushers, but it has an additional crown at 10 o’clock to control the rotating city disc, which you can set to the city you are in, and immediately see the time in 23 other cities around the world. World time watches can sometimes be a struggle to read, which is why the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT is a generous 44mm, which enhances its readability. The watch is less than 13mm thick and the case is titanium, a light yet highly resistant material that makes the model comfortable on the wrist, and has a warmer tint than steel.
With the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date, the link to the original Polaris from 1968 is stronger than ever. Like the original, this watch uses the same design codes - vanilla Super-LumiNova, the triangle along with trapezoidal indices mixed with four Arabic numbers, a railway track for the minutes - and features a date at 3 o’clock. The case for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date features a glass box where the crystal is raised from the case, evoking its vintage inspiration. Additionally, the caseback is closed and features an engraving of a scuba diver, similar to the engraving that was found on the inner caseback of the 1968 model. Sure to be a cult favourite, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date uses the signature polished and brushed case and has the distinctive double crown: one for the time and one for the inner rotating bezel. It comes on a brand-new rubber strap with a Clous de Paris pattern and is also available on a new three-link bracelet. A serious sports watch, this surprisingly elegant timepiece is water resistant to 200 meters.
For more information, kindly visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com.
