Within this post of “Watch of the Week“, Jaeger-LeCoultre has taken to the stand. This Polaris automatic chronograph is incredible – featuring a rich blue dial, and a dark brown leather strap, just allows for that luxurious feeling to radiate throughout. Jaeger-LeCoultre never fail to deliver excellence within their timepieces, and this is an example of that, pure brilliance in the art form of Horology.
So take a look at this weeks “Watch of the Week”, and decide for yourself, whether or not you would add this one to your collection… because I know I would.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE POLARIS AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH
This Jaeger-LeCoultre takes inspiration from, and pays homage to the 1968 “Memovox Polaris”, and this is an anniversary model, in which holds great comfort and incredible functionality, through the creativity within the design, as well as the practicality it comes equipped with – a true sportsman’s classic.
The first Memovox Polaris prototype was developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the early 1960s, and was released in small amounts in the late 60s – designed for the midst of the ocean, not the dancefloor. Being a diving watch, but also a watch, which held such a distinctive and elegant design, almost didn’t seem real. It wasn’t chunky, and it wasn’t big on the wrist, it was a minimalistic dress watch in some sense, as it had the design of one. But that’s what makes it special.
Just like this newer model, in which pays homage to the previous model, it holds such great creative elements, but it still has those functionalities in which you’d want in a diving watch, and an everyday watch, which is what this is designed for.
The Strap
The dark brown leather strap works beautifully with the open view of the sapphire glass caseback, which allows you to see the automatic calibre 751H, but not only that, it contrasts perfectly with the warm blue dial.
Something which is important in an everyday watch, is the comfort in which you feel, especially when wearing it for hours on end, and that’s why this Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris is the perfect companion for that. In terms of functionality and practicality, but also design – and the leather strap is apart of that.
If the dark brown leather strap hasn’t already won you over, well you’re life is made easier, with the two free loops available, so you don’t have that extra bit sticking out (annoying), as well as the stainless steel buckle, adding that extra safety and robustness to it.
The Dial
Next up is the wonderful and warm blue dial, which features two sub-dials, and a tachymeter scale, which I’m sure a lot of you will be happy about. Not only does it look stunning, and would be fitting for a summers day, but it also comes with great functionality, including the white Super-LumiNova hands, indices and numerals. Allowing for clearer visibility when in darker environments – which links back to the idea of the original model being a diving watch.
Something to pick up on, is the different style of shades being used for the dial, and that can be seen through the use of the sun-ray brushed centre, and if you look more towards the tachymeter scale, you can start to see that it has more of a gradient. This two-tone style blue dial adds so much character, even though it’s so simplistic – allowing the light to bounce off it beautifully.
From the pictures, you might not be able to tell some of the finer details in which Jaeger-LeCoultre have added, such as the inner rotating bezel, which can be adjusted with the crown. Now this, is a unique element of the watch, and one which is actually beneficial, as it’s a lot less likely, and a lot harder to damage it, unlike your conventional bezel being on the outside.
The Case
The 42mm stainless steel case in which this Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris holds, is robust in structure, and contrasts the blue dial wonderfully. Sometimes proportion within chronographs can be thrown out the window, with big chunky cases and overcrowded dials – however, this Polaris isn’t of the sort, it’s relatively small and slim and everything is well spaced out. Another thing to mention, is the 11.9mm in thickness, which is just fantastic for a chronograph, slim and easy to wear, especially if you’re going to be wearing it on a day-to-day basis.
Something else to notice, is the strong yet sleek looking lugs. They have a sort of sloped chamfer going through the middle, but they still manage to maintain that robust feel and look, just down to the size, and quality of them.
The Movement
This Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris holds a Swiss-made calibre 751H automatic movement, which holds incredible functionality and has a beautiful design, in which you can admire through the sapphire crystal glass caseback. I think the decision, to leave the movement on view is a great one, as it allows for that extra character to shine throughout, and at the end of the day, who doesn’t like admiring the movement inside the watch… I know I certainly do.
The automatic movement itself comes equipped with two twin counters, a 30 minute counter which is located in the 3 o’clock position, and a 12-hour counter located in the 9 o’clock position. Additionally, the calibre 751H holds 37 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 28,800 Vph (vibrations per hour). Lastly, the 65-hour power reserve, in which this watch comes equipped with, is very impressive – and is perfect for the travelling man, or the man who’s going to wear this watch on a daily basis.
The Specifications
Case material – Stainless steel
Strap material – Dark brown leather strap
Movement type – Swiss-made calibre 751H automatic movement
Power reserve – 65 hour power reserve
Vph – 28,800
Jewels – 37
Glass – Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Case diameter – 42mm
Case thickness – 11.9mm
Water resistant depth – 100m (10 bar)
