ExclusiveExclusive: The Brand New Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Watches

This year, several luxury and prestige watch manufacturers have dialled things down to achieve a cleaner look, include more useful features, and for a general streamlining of their product lines. At the same time, it’s been about presenting the true values of mechanical watchmaking and showcasing the timekeeping legacies that they have built upon. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, it’s been an interesting mix of both, and this despite the creation of a new brand pillar. At the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in January, the prestige Swiss watch manufacturers unveiled their new Polaris collection. Even though it’s a new series, Jaeger-LeCoultre has ensured that it’s not without the influence of the brand’s heritage. The name Polaris comes from the brand’s archives that are rich with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmaking accomplishments and icons from over the last 185 years. The piece, in particular, which inspired the new collection is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Polaris, a diver’s watch from 1968.

From The Memovox Polaris (1968) To The Polaris Memovox (2018)

It was only natural for the Memovox Polaris to become the muse for Jaeger-LeCoultre as they conceived the new collection. The need of the hour was sportier watches that could serve as everyday timepieces for those who perceived Jaeger-LeCoultre’s other collections, such as the Master and Reverso, as too classical for daily wear. For this purpose, the brand really didn’t have to look beyond the wealth of their own past. So now, 50 years later, we have the Polaris collection.

The new series has an array of timepieces to choose from, with versions ranging from automatic to chronograph and chronograph world timer pieces. The look of these watches is contemporary, with subtle references to the 1968 Memovox. Paying a tribute to the inspiration, the Polaris collection also includes a Polaris Memovox version, which is, in a lot of ways, a revival of the 50-year-old watch. Additionally, there is the Polaris Date, which is also modelled after the Memovox.

The Polaris Design

Despite the differences between the watches within the collection, the overall architecture of the pieces from the Polaris range has strong parallels across all models. The basic dial structure, for instance, is a combination of different textures on concentric circles. The central part of the dial features a sunray finish, inspired by the 1968 Memovox Polaris. Outside of that, the circle that has the hour and minute markers has a grainy finish, while the outermost circle, which is a rotating inner bezel, features an opaline finish. The brand emblem and the hour markers, including numerals and trapezoidal indexes, are applied. The hour and minute hands and the hour markers are filled with SuperLuminova. The case structure has been designed with proportions of a streamlined sports watch, with brushed and polished surfaces. The sapphire crystal casebacks of the Automatic, Chronograph and Chronograph World Time versions offer a view of the impressive manufacture movements, complete with an oscillating weight featuring the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo.

The Everyday Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches

The Polaris Memovox and the Polaris Date certainly have a greater vintage appeal since they are meant to pay homage to the brand’s heritage. Plus an updated version of a timepiece from the past always generates interest. However, the most wearable watch from the Polaris collection is, without a doubt, the Polaris Automatic, which is the most basic model. And for those who’d still prefer a complication, there’s the Polaris Chronograph. Both watches are water resistant to 100m.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic

A simple automatic watch is sometimes all you’re looking for. This watch is just that. Housed in a 41mm stainless steel case is the Jaeger-LeCoultre self-winding calibre 898/1, offering a 40-hour power reserve. One crown on the case is to adjust the time, while the other is to rotate the inner bezel, which ‘speaks to the diving-inspired nature of this timepiece, simplifying the act of tracking elapsed time’. Featuring a black dial, this watch comes with either a new three-link steel bracelet or a brown calfskin leather strap.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Along with the diving watch inspiration, this watch also reflects elements of the Jaeger dashboard instruments seen in certain sports cars. In a 42mm stainless steel case, the dial, available in ocean blue or black, features a 30-minute counter at three o’clock and a 12-hour counter at nine, making for a symmetrical look. Adding to the sporty look of this piece is the tachymeter scale on the inner fixed bezel. Powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre self-winding calibre 751, this watch offers an impressive 65-hour power reserve. The blue dial version comes with a brown calfskin leather strap, while the black dial piece has a black alligator leather strap. However, the straps are easily interchangeable.

As the Polaris collection takes Jaeger-LeCoultre’s story forward, adding a chapter to its evolution, you can explore the first edition of these brand new everyday watches exclusively in India at the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique by Ethos, at The Chanakya, New Delhi.

Explore all the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris watches available at Ethos