Launched at SIHH 2018, the Polaris collection is perhaps one day going to become Jaeger-LeCoultre’s go-to, modern sports watch collection.
The design is inspired by the highly collectible Polaris Memovox from 1968, and that’s a good thing. In a market oversaturated with sports watches, at every price point, and absolutely dominated by the likes of Rolex and Omega, it’s no easy task to bring this type of watch to market, especially in one of the most competitive price segments.
Yesterday, Jaeger-LeCoultre debuted a new 800-piece limited edition model which takes one of the five Polaris models inaugurated last year and expands on it with an intricate new dial and special colorway.
Similar to the other limited edition Polaris that followed the initial debut last year in May, the 2019 Polaris Date Limited Edition features a blue gradient dial. This dial is not quite as dark of a blue as last year’s limited edition but it does feature a new hand-lacquered, blue double-gradient dial with sunrayed, grained and opaline finish, unique to this special model.
According to Jaeger-LeCoultre, “The central disc and main dial now each incorporate a shimmering, color-change effect—from deep turquoise to a brilliant shade of royal blue.”
Additionally, the watch is paired with a blue rubber Clous de Paris strap, color-matched to the inner bezel.
There’s also a unique solid caseback which has four engravings, including a Scuba diving insignia, the Jaeger-LeCoultre crest, the phrase “1000 HOURS CONTROL”, denoting the assembled watch has undergone 1,000 hours of testing before leaving the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, and “Limited edition – One of 800” inscribed near backing’s outer edge.
Other than the unique dial finish, new strap, and specially engraved caseback, this is the same as the existing Polaris Date model 9068670 (which costs $7,750) in that it comes in a 42 mm diameter stainless steel case, features the same applied indices and same hands, with the same vanilla-colored lume, and is powered by JLC automatic caliber 899A/1 which beats at 4Hz, has 219 components, 32 jewels, and a 38-hour power reserve. Finishing includes Geneva stripes, blued screws, and perlage, along with a skeletonized rotor.
The 2019 Polaris Date Limited Edition is water-resistant to 200 meters and features a rotating 0-60 dive bezel, located on the flange, and controlled by one of the crowns. The other crown controls time-setting, winding, and date.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date will be available from August 22, this new model will be offered exclusively to North American customers online before it arrives in retail and at wholesale boutiques in the US on September 1, 2019, and worldwide on October 1, 2019. Retail is $8,250. (Ref. Q9068681)
Photos by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
