Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date automatic green lacquered dial rubber strap 42 mm

A brief history: when elegance meets exploration

There are some sports watches that stand the test of time with quiet confidence, and the Memovox Polaris is one of them. First designed in 1962, it was launched in 1965 with its iconic alarm and triple crown. Produced in a limited edition of just 1,714 pieces until 1970, this diving watch from the Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre has become legendary, prized by collectors for its many variations in dial, hands, and typefaces, depending on the market for which it was intended.

When Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to revive this legend in 2018 in the form of the Polaris collection, the Maison did not settle for a simple reissue: it offered a contemporary interpretation, perfectly in tune with the needs and expectations of modern men.

Polaris: the ultimate chic tool

Designed for everyday adventures and faraway escapades, the Polaris collection embodies a form of functional sophistication. It captures the essence of tool watches – robustness, legibility, resistance – and applies the Grande Maison's watchmaking artistry: luxurious finishes, balanced proportions, high-performance in-house movements.

The new Polaris Date Q906863J is fully in line with this tradition. It echoes the iconic design of the 2018 Polaris, itself inspired by the 1968 Memovox, while sporting a new green dial color that powerfully embodies the notion of versatility. This is an “exclusive boutique edition.”

A vibrant and hypnotic green lacquered dial

The star of this piece is undoubtedly its dial. Green, but not just any green: Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed a complex lacquering process to give it remarkable visual depth. Like the previous gray model, it begins with a sunburst and grained finish on the base. Then, 35 successive layers of translucent lacquer are applied to create a natural gradient ranging from bright olive green to intense tropical green.

Depending on the angle of the light, the dial transforms, like a forest changing under the sun's rays. The effect is amplified by the subtle combination of textures: opaline in the center, grained on the minute track, and sunburst on the rotating inner bezel.

The skeletonized hands, expressive Arabic numerals, and elongated trapezoidal hour markers are all coated with vanilla-colored Super-LumiNova®, paying homage to the vintage style of the original Memovox. The result is impeccable readability, day and night, without compromising the overall elegance of the dial.

A tool watch at heart, a jewel of engineering

The Polaris Date is not just a beautiful object: it is a true toolwatch in the noble sense of the word. Its rotating inner bezel is controlled by a second crown positioned at 2 o'clock, allowing precise measurement of elapsed time or a countdown. This system, typical of professional diving watches, remains a guarantee of reliability in all situations.

Its 42 mm case, with its powerful, angular lines, subtly combines satin and polished finishes. The domed sapphire crystal, inspired by the Plexiglas of the 1960s, accentuates the model's vintage charm while ensuring excellent shock resistance. The transparent case back reveals the refined finishes of the Manufacture caliber.

Water resistance to 200 meters confirms that this Polaris is not afraid to get wet – either literally or figuratively.

Strap and versatility: at home anywhere

Offered on a green rubber strap with a Clous de Paris pattern, this Polaris is equipped with the quick-change system developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre. In the blink of an eye, you can replace it with a compatible steel or leather strap, instantly transforming the look of the watch.

Comfortable, elegant, and durable, this strap adds to the watch's versatility, allowing it to transition effortlessly from an urban environment to a day at sea.

Calibre 899AB: the Jaeger-LeCoultre technical signature

At the heart of this Polaris beats the automatic caliber 899AB, a latest-generation Manufacture movement. Entirely designed, manufactured, and assembled in the workshops of the Vallée de Joux, it offers a power reserve of 70 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, guaranteeing high-level precision and stability.

Visible through the sapphire case back, it is decorated with Côtes de Genève, pearling and an openworked oscillating weight, testifying to the watchmaking expertise of the Grande Maison.