The modern Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris debuted six years in the past. Since then, new variations have emerged, together with a chronograph, a perpetual calendar, and the Mariner Memovox alarm mannequin. However a multi-time-zone model was lacking from the revived lineup — till at the moment. The Polaris Geographic is a journey watch with one among Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature problems. One look on the newcomer tells you it’s a “JLC,” identical to what occurs if you see a Reverso. It’s not simply the dial format but additionally the position of the 2 crowns which can be typical of the model. It makes you surprise why it took the manufacture from Le Sentier six years to give you this purposeful luxurious sports activities watch that proudly exhibits its Nineteen Sixties dive heritage in a classy and modern means.
Off-centered palms, a box-style crystal, a slim bezel on prime of a strong-looking case with clear strains and polished and brushed surfaces, and a dial that appears sophisticated at first look however could be very straightforward to learn… Sure, the brand new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic is a watch you gained’t mistake for every other timepiece. You gained’t even combine it up with the 2017 39mm Grasp Geographic with its sector dial or the present 40mm Grasp Management Geographic, watches that additionally use variants of the caliber 939, leading to the identical dial format. This Polaris model isn’t simply bigger at 42mm, however its case can be far more strong. The dial colour and texture are utterly totally different too. There aren’t any fewer than 35 layers of lacquer on the Polaris dial, however we’ll save that for later.
The world-traveling and deep-diving Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic
The muse of the Polaris Geographic is the strong 42 × 11.54mm case that’s water-resistant to 200 meters. It has a reasonably easy form, however the best way its brushed and polished surfaces are completed is great. You’ll count on that from a model like JLC and at this worth degree, however identical to the lacquer on the dial, extra about this case later.
Transferring from the muse to the face of the watch, we discover skeletonized palms, daring Arabic numerals, and lengthy, trapezoidal indexes. All of those characteristic Tremendous-LumiNova and complement the distinctive dial with its totally different apertures. And now we get to the ending of the dial. The fumé impact could be a polarizing element of this Polaris (pun supposed). The gradient ocean-gray lacquer colour leads purists to state that this sort of dial has no place in, what’s deep down, a device watch. Others don’t have any drawback with the smoky impact as a result of it appears wealthy and opulent on a watch that’s fairly clearly a luxurious object.
The deep grey dial obtained opaline, graining, and sunburst finishes beneath no fewer than 35 layers of shiny lacquer. The consequence could be polarizing, nevertheless it results in a really dynamic dial with spectacular visible depth. And what about these little orange particulars? Properly, grey and orange do go nicely collectively, however I ponder if retaining this monochromatic wouldn’t have labored out higher. You have already got a fumé dial and a plethora of textures to take care of visually.
The sophisticated and purposeful Polaris Geographic
By the sapphire crystal on the again, you may observe the finely completed automated caliber 939 at work. This in-house motion has a 70-hour energy reserve and exhibits hours, minutes, seconds, one other one among 24 time zones, an influence reserve indicator, and an evening/day show. As soon as you become familiar with the place every operate is on the dial, the Polaris Geographic is simple and fast to learn. The second time zone, as an illustration, sits in a sub-dial with an hour and a minute hand, a day/night time indicator to the left, and the corresponding metropolis proper beneath.
Setting this time zone can be not precisely rocket science. For setting the native time and the minute hand of the second time zone, you utilize the three o’clock crown. The one at 10 permits you to modify the ring with 24 metropolis names and the hours of the second time zone concurrently. Each crowns are on the big aspect, so working them could be very straightforward, as ought to be the case with a sports activities watch.
Sure, despite the fact that the value of the Polaris Geographic is most positively a luxurious one at €17,600, that is additionally a sports activities watch that’s very able to coping with the trials of on a regular basis lively put on. What do you suppose, not simply concerning the worth but additionally concerning the Geographic idea in a Polaris? Is it lengthy overdue or not?
PS — The Polaris Date and Perpetual Calendar additionally are available new variations
Nothing earth-shattering right here, however the Polaris Date now additionally comes with a gradient ocean-gray lacquer dial. Reference Q9068650, identical to the opposite Date variations, has a 200m-water-resistant case with a 42mm diameter and 13.92mm thickness — that’s thicker than the extra sophisticated Geographic, by the best way. Inside that case is the automated caliber 899 exhibiting hours, minutes, seconds, and the date and providing a 70-hour energy reserve. The presence of an internal rotating bezel shouldn’t come as a shock, and neither ought to the black rubber strap and the value of €12,100.
Polaris Date Q9068050
Polaris Perpetual Calendar Q908263J on alligator leather-based
Polaris Perpetual Calendar Q908263J on rubber
We’ve additionally seen the Polaris Perpetual Calendar in a 42 × 11.97mm pink gold case earlier than however by no means with a gradient inexperienced lacquer dial. This sophisticated sports activities watch homes the automated caliber 868, which exhibits hours, minutes, seconds, a perpetual calendar (day, date, month, yr), and moon phases in each hemispheres. And once more, regardless of its complexity, it’s slimmer than the far easier Polaris Date — I’m simply saying. The QP model, reference Q908263J, is water-resistant to 100 meters and comes with each a inexperienced rubber and a black alligator leather-based strap for €57,000. For more information, go to the official Jaeger-LeCoultre web site.
