Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets the 1968 Polaris with a contemporary collection
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The Memovox Polaris diver’s watch with alarm function was a big hit when it was launched in 1968. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre revives the spirit of this iconic watch with an entirely new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection that is suited for a wide variety of active lifestyles.
Sporty and elegant
As a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Memovox Polaris, the Swiss Grande Maison introduces five models to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection that redefines sporty elegance while mixing modernity with nostalgia.
The design of these timepieces is inspired by the Memovox Polaris, with the dial combining contrasting finishings on three concentric circles. The centre comes with a sunray finish, the grained outer ring features classic Arabic numerals and trapezoidal indexes that echo the original model, while the rotating inner bezel is in opaline. For better legibility, the hands are large and luminous-coated with Super-LumiNova™. There’s also a choice of colour - black as in the historical model, or ocean blue for a touch of urban elegance.
In a departure from the original, the cases for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection are entirely new with proportions that befit an elegant sports watch. The surfaces are a combination of brushed and hand-polished, the lugs are faceted, and the bezels are thin and rounded for a contemporary aesthetic. The emblematic crowns get a facelift to improve their grip, while the exhibition caseback shows off the in-house made automatic mechanical movements.
Straps come in a variety of new options, with a three-link metal bracelet adding diversity to the alligator leather, calfskin and rubber selections.
The two-crown simplicity of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic
For everyday versatility, the 41mm Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic with just a three-hand and no-date display is the simplest model. The dual crowns, one for time setting and the other for the inner rotating bezel with a diving-inspired scale, is unique to the collection. Inside the case beats the calibre 898/1 with a power reserve of 40 hours.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph for the driving enthusiast
At 42mm, the slightly upsized Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph is the sportiest watch in the collection. Equipped with a racing-inspired tachymeter scale, it is the perfect timepiece for days on the track or checking driving speed on the highway. The chronograph, with pushers engineered for a better grip, is driven by the calibre 751 with a power reserve of 65 hours.
For a dressier and more luxurious alternative, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph also comes with an elegant rose gold case with anthracite dial and an oscillating weight in rose gold.
The globe-trotting Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT
The ideal travelling companion is the 44mm Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph WT which comes equipped with a useful world time complication in addition to the chronograph. The inner rotating city disc, controlled by an additional crown at 10 o’clock, features 24 world cities representing the world’s 24 major time zones. Just rotate the disc to see at a glance what the time is anywhere in the world. Powering all this functionality is the calibre 752 with a 65-hour power reserve.
To minimise the weight of the watch due to its larger size, the case is made from titanium, making the watch feels both light and more comfortable on the wrist.
Vintage inspiration for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date
Taking close vintage cues from the original model is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date with vanilla-coloured SuperLumiNova™ trapezoidal indices, a railway track for the minutes, and a date at three o’clock.
Also harking back to the historical look is the 42mm stainless case with a box-shaped crystal raised over the dial. The caseback is solid and features an engraved scuba diver’s helmet. Inside the case beats the calibre 899/1 with a power reserve of 38 hours. As a diver’s watch, it is water resistant to 200 metres. A brand-new rubber strap with a Clous de Paris pattern adds a serious, but elegant, sporty look.
The rebirth of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox
Bringing all the design cues and triple-crowned signatures of the iconic 1968 watch together is the 42mm 50th anniversary Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox. The updated model comes in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces and features the special alarm function made famous by the original. Controlled by the alarm crown, the central disc turns to line up the triangle with the desired alarm time. The alarm indicator in the centre of the dial and vanilla-coloured SuperLumiNova™ trapezoidal indices add to the vintage vibes.
Driving the alarm function is the vaunted calibre 956 that packs a 44-hour power reserve, a direct descendant of the first automatic watch movement created by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1950s.
Like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date, the stainless steel case is water-resistant to 200 metres and comes with a diver’s helmet engraving on the back. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox is also available with the Clous de Paris patterned rubber strap.
