Jaeger-LeCoultre has been making great strides in recent years, tapping into its lengthy historical archives and receiving significant acclaim for their reissue of the Geophysic, as well as a limited edition trio of vintage-inspired pieces that were added to the Master collection in early 2017. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Jaeger-LeCoultre has just unveiled their latest historical tribute in the form of an all-new collection based on their most iconic dive watch: the Memovox Polaris.
Those familiar with the Polaris of old, being one of the earliest dive watches with an alarm function first unveiled in 1965, will instantly recognize the design cues in the new collection. Comprised of no less than seven models (not including different bracelet/strap configurations), the model range starts off with a simple time and date model in a classic compressor-style case. The two-crown configuration features one crown for time and date setting, and the other to adjust the internal rotating timing bezel. From there the timing bezel makes way for a tachymeter scale for the two-register chronograph models, displaying both minute and hour chronograph subdials and forgoing a running seconds display.
Next on the roster—and destined to be the most-loved offering for any frequent traveler—comes the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph World Timer. Finding the combination of a world time watch with a chronograph that isn’t the size of a dinner plate can prove challenging to say the least, let alone one whose chronograph indications extend beyond a mere 30 minutes. At a functional level this latest offering from Jaeger-LeCoultre ticks all the boxes, before one even comes to appreciate the vintage charm bestowed upon it from its 1960s roots.
From a vintage enthusiast standpoint, we’ve left the best for last: a newly reissued Memovox Polaris is of course the flagship model of the line. Aside from using applied indices instead of painted ones, and having a broader ridging on its three crowns—one for time, one for the internal bezel, and one for its alarm—the Memovox Polaris is a beautifully accurate tribute to its predecessor. Jaeger-LeCoultre saw significant success last year with another vintage inspired Master Memovox model with a vibrant blue dial, however given that this new release is modeled after one of the most scarce and sought after Jaeger-LeCoultre watches of all time, we wouldn’t be surprised to see waitlists forming before long.
