Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date.
Image: Supplied/Jaegar-LeCoultre

Following the successful launch of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva last year, the Grande Maison is extending the Polaris line with a special new creation: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date (limited edition).

Produced in a limited series of 800 pieces, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date combines the Manufacture’s watchmaking expertise with contemporary proportions, vintage design motifs, and several important aesthetic changes. 

A NEW WATCH WITH CLASSIC APPEAL 

Drawing inspiration from the 1970 Polaris II, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date features a new hand-lacquered, blue double-gradient dial with sunrayed, grained and opaline finish, which is unique to this special model. The central disc and main dial now each incorporate a shimmering, colour-change effect - from deep turquoise to a brilliant shade of royal blue. The blue, rubber Clous de Paris strap, also unique to the model, is colour-matched to the inner bezel, which, like the original Memovox Polaris and Polaris II, rotates for added functionality. 

Keeping with the signature look of the Polaris collection, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date is instantly recognisable thanks to its elongated Arabic numerals, trapezoidal hour markers, and baton-style hands. 

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These elements are each treated with Super-LumiNova to provide maximum legibility in low light. For this application, the luminescent coating is vanilla-tinted, another nod to the famed Polaris watches of the 1960s and 1970s. Still, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date is a fundamentally modern creation.

Hewn from stainless steel, the case measures 42mm in diameter and has two prominent crowns - one to adjust the time, the other to control the aforementioned rotating bezel. Incorporating brushed and hand-polished surfaces, the case’s graceful appearance belies its real-world sporting credentials, as the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date is water resistant up to 200m. 

Inside, a self-winding mechanical movement delivers all the precision and craftsmanship one would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre. The in-house Calibre 899A/1 faithfully keeps the seconds, minutes, hours and date (displayed through a dedicated window at the three o’clock position) while offering a power reserve of 38 hours.

Jaegar-LeCoultre Polaris Date.
Jaegar-LeCoultre Polaris Date.
Image: Supplied/Jaegar-LeCoultre

It’s secured by a closed caseback which has four special engravings including a scuba diving insignia, the Jaeger-LeCoultre crest and the phrase “1000 Hours Control”. This denotes the watch has undergone testing of the movement before and after being cased up as well as on the fully assembled watch beyond official timing tests before leaving the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Finally, the words “Limited edition - One of 800” are inscribed near backing’s outer edge. 

AN EVOLVING TRADITION  

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date is the latest addition to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection, which is inspired by the iconic Memovox Polaris. This historic model was developed at the suggestion of the US market, and produced between 1965 and 1968. Today, the original Memovox remains synonymous with adventure and technical innovation, as it introduced a revolutionary amplified underwater alarm function for divers.

The watch is also remembered for its distinct, sophisticated design code: a three-ring concentric dial layout, rotating inner bezel, and multi-crown case. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection pays homage by continuing to carry these visual elements, but has been entirely redesigned for the modern era, with shorter lugs, a slimmer bezel, ergonomic crowns and a sapphire glass box crystal.

Visit the Jaeger-LeCoultre website for more information.

• This article was paid for by Jaeger-LeCoultre.

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