When I think of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the first thing that comes to mind is the Reverso, their most well-known collection. Then I think about their movement production capabilities, which have earned them the nickname “the Grand Maison,” or their magnificent Atmos clock line which uses changes in atmospheric pressure for power. But as far as wristwatches no single Jaeger collection truly stands out — in my opinion — other than the Reverso.
The much loved Le Sentier-based manufacture is clearly aiming to change that with the introduction of the all-new Polaris that takes one of their most iconic watches – the Memovox Polaris from 1968 – and builds an entire collection, including a new case and dial design, around it.
The resulting Polaris collection comprises five models: a three-hand automatic, a chronograph, a chronograph world time, an automatic date, and a limited edition Memovox alarm.
Polaris Automatic
The Polaris automatic comes in a 41 mm x 11.2 mm diameter stainless steel case with a black or ocean blue dial featuring sunray, grained, and opaline finishes. An automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 898/1 with a 40-hour power reserve drives hours, minutes, and seconds. There is also a rotating inner bezel controlled by a crown. Water resistance is 100 meters.
The retail prices are $6,600 (calfskin), $6,900 (alligator), and $7,600 (steel bracelet).
Polaris Chronograph
The Polaris Chronograph comes in a 42 mm x 11.9 mm diameter steel or rose gold case. The steel model is available with a black or ocean blue dial with sunray, grained, and opaline finishes. The rose gold model comes with an anthracite dial with sunray, grained, and opaline finishes. Each is powered by automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 751 which has a 65-hour power reserve and drives hours, minutes, seconds, and chronograph functions. Water resistance is 100 meters. The retail prices are $10,000 (steel on calfskin), $10,100 (steel on an alligator strap), $10,900 (steel on steel bracelet), and $24,500 (rose gold on an alligator strap).
Polaris Chronograph WT
The Polaris Chronograph WT (World Time) comes in a titanium case measuring 44 mm x 12.5 mm with a black or ocean blue dial sunray, grained and opaline finishes. Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 752 with a power reserve of 65 hours drives hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, and world time functions. Water resistance is 100 meters. The retail prices are $14,500 (calfskin) and $14,600 (alligator).
Polaris Date
The Polaris Date is presented in a 42 mm x 13.1 mm stainless steel case with a black dial with sunray, grained and opaline finishes. Jaeger-LeCoultre automatic caliber 899/1, with a 38-hour power reserve, drives hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The rotating inner bezel is operated by a crown. Water resistance is 200 meters. The retail prices are $7,750 (rubber) and $8,700 (steel bracelet).
Polaris Memovox
The Polaris Memovox comes in a stainless steel case measuring 42 mm x 15.9 mm with a black dial with sunray, grained and opaline finishes. Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 956 powers hours/minutes/seconds, alarm, and date functions and features a 44-hour power reserve. Water resistance is 200 meters. This model is limited to 1,000 pieces. The retail price is $12,600.
Photos by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
