Watch Of The Week: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Anniversaries are there to be celebrated, and when you are a watch brand the best way to do so is by introducing new watches! That is exactly what Jaeger-LeCoultre did earlier this year when it celebrated the 50th anniversary of the famed Memovox Polaris.
Of course, does the line-up include a modern version of this iconic alarm watch, but Jaeger-LeCoultre let it accompanied by a world-time chronograph and a time-only model, as well as this chronograph version.

While the Polaris Chronograph doesn’t hide its vintage roots, it is a surprisingly modern watch. With a diameter of 42mm, the case is very well proportioned, although the watch itself wears larger, as it is almost all dial. Also, the chronograph counters are placed relatively close to the centre of the dial, visually enhancing its size even more. There is a nice dynamic between the case and the dial, as both alternate with different finishes that give the functional design of the watch a lot of extra depth. Despite not having an alarm function, nor the signature crown setup, did Jaeger-LeCoultre most certainly succeed in giving the Chronograph that Polaris look and feel. Next, to the shape of the case, does credit go for this to the Arabic numerals and trapezoid hour indexes on the dial.

Inside the Polaris Chronograph, we find Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 751H, which the brand originally launched in 2004. This automatic chronograph movement features two mainspring barrels, providing the watch with a 65-hour power reserve. As it should with a high-end chronograph movement is it fitted with a column wheel as well as a vertical coupling system.

Jaeger-LeCoultre offers the Polaris Chronograph in both stainless steel, as well as 18K pink gold. In stainless steel, the watch is available with either a blue or a black dial and starts at $9.750,- on a leather strap. I would suggest that you spend $10.700,- and get the watch on a stainless steel bracelet, and buy a strap with it as well. The bracelet itself is a beautiful addition to the watch which changes it looks dramatically. It also makes it about the only stainless steel sports chronograph available on a bracelet in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s current collection. When you opt for the 18K pink gold version of the Polaris Chronograph choosing becomes easy as the watch is only available on an alligator leather strap with a charcoal grey dial, priced at $23.900,-. This is actually not bad, because the combination of the gold with the dial is quite stunning and bound to have become a favourite anyway.