Introducing You To The New Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris

January 15, 2018

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Very often, I use Jaeger-LeCoultre as an example of a brand that is so interesting, yet they have not a single watch for me. The Master Ultra-thin perpetual perhaps being an expensive exception (I wrote about that one here). In 2004 they tried with the Master Compressor Memovox, which I liked at first, but quickly saw that it wasn’t a future classic. I don’t need a sports watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre, but I am also too young for a Reverso as a daily beater.

We’re happy to show you that Jaeger-LeCoultre is announcing something that could fill that gap between a dress watch and a sports watch. Meet the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection. Based on the 1968 Memovox Polaris watch, but with modern characteristics and specifications.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris

Jaeger-LeCoultre opens at the SIHH 2018 exhibition with five new models in their new Polaris collection. One of them is a limited edition that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Memovox watch. However, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris is a new pillar in their collection, like the Master and Reverso. We should expect more things to happen in this pillar.

Let’s have a look at all 5 new models, before we do a more in-depth article later on. We still need to see them in the flesh, but this is what Jaeger-LeCoultre sent us under embargo.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic

Entry-level is always a nasty word, as entry-level with Jaeger-LeCoultre still means we are talking serious business. Their Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic features the two crowns (one for time setting and one for rotating the inner-bezel) and three hands on the dial (no date!). This model is also available on a stainless steel bracelet.

In short, the specs of the Polaris Automatic are:

Size: 41mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 898/1
Power reserve: 40 hours
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, rotating inner bezel
Dial: black or ocean blue, with sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Water resistance: 100m
Price €5600 (leather) excl VAT

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph In Steel

Undoubtedly the Polaris that comes closest to a true sports watch, with this chronograph version. The caliber 751 movement is of course in-house developed and manufactured in Le Sentier, by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Since a chronograph is the most popular complication when it comes to mechanical watches (excluding the date as such), this could be a winner in terms of sales.

Here are the specifications:

Size: 42mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 751
Power reserve: 65 hours
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, chronograph, tachymeter scale
Dial: black or ocean blue, with sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Water resistance: 100m
Price €8200 (stainless steel and leather) excl VAT

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph will also become available in rose gold. The only Polaris model in precious metal, for now.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WorldTimer

Combining a chronograph and a worldtimer complication is the best of all worlds. Frequent travelers know how important it is to track time back home, or in another time zone if you’re a businessman working globally. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WorldTimer might be the right choice if so. Besides the crown and two pushers, there’s another crown to operate the rotating city disc. You can set it to the city you’re in, and read the time in 23 other cities around the globe. A large case, of 44mm, makes it a usable and readable watch. Not for the fainthearted of course.

Here are its specifications:

Size: 44mm, Titanium
Movement: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 752
Power reserve: 65 hours
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, chronograph, worldtime
Dial: black or ocean blue with sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Water resistance: 100m

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

This version is very close to the original of 1968, with a triangle along with trapezoidal indexes, the Arabic numbers for 6, 9 and 12, a railway track for the minutes — and features a date at three o’clock. A sapphire box crystal to resemble the plexi crystals from 50 years ago and on the caseback you will find an engraving of a SCUBA diver. Very similar to the engraving on the model from 1968. Comes with rubber strap but also available on a stainless steel bracelet.

Here are the specifications:

Size: 42mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 899/1
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, rotating inner bezel
Dial: black with sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Water resistance: 200m
Price: €6400 (rubber strap) excl VAT

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox

Last but certainly not least, and limited to 1000 pieces only, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox. The Memovox being the original version of the 1968 Polaris. You will find no less than three crowns on this watch: one for setting/correcting the time, one to operate the inner-bezel and one to set the alarm. You will find a lot of vintage elements on this watch, just like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date I just described, including the use of faux-patina or as JLC puts it: “vanilla Super-LumiNova”. That’s fine by me. The caliber 956 movement has a striking mechanism for the alarm of course and is a direct descendant of the first automatic alarm watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1950’s. This watch comes on a rubber strap.

Specifciation of this Polaris Memovox:

Movement: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 956
Power reserve: 44 hours
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, alarm, date
Dial: black sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Water resistance: 200m
Price €10.700 ex VAT

~~Prices not available at this moment~~. (known) Prices are added to each model, above. We will update this article as soon as we have received them. More information via Jaeger-LeCoultre on-line.