Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris Collection needs no introduction. It is one of the most recognisable timepieces in the market. This year the Grande Maison pays homage to its distinguished diving watch legacy and century of expertise in chiming watches with the launch of the new Polaris Mariner Memovox and Polaris Mariner Date – both fully ISO 6425-compliant divers and part of the new Polaris Mariner Collection.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox
A contemporary styled alarm-plus-date watch, inspired by the first Memovox alarm watches of the 1950s, which was a cult piece even back then, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox is a pleasant blend of traditional and contemporary watchmaking.
This watch is rather beautiful in its own way, with a unique 42mm case that features key design codes of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris cases with their taut lines, glass-box crystals, and dynamic mix of brushed and polished surfaces. With a water resistance of 300m, you know that this watch isn’t playing around when it comes to under water matters. Furthermore, the crown used to set the notched inner-bezel is screwed-down to avoid any unintentional movement, with the addition of an orange security band to warn divers when it is not fully screwed down.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox retains the signature three-crown configuration of the earliest Memovox diving watches. The crown on the top controls the alarm, turning the central disc of the dial so that the triangular pointer lines up with the desired alarm time; the central crown operates the inner dive bezel and the lowest crown sets the time.
The rich gradient-blue dial consists of three concentric circles finished in different textures and featuring bold trapezoid-shaped indexes and three Arabic numerals. The central disc of the dials is sunray-brushed, complementing the subtle graining of the middle ring and the opaline finish of the outer ring, which serves as the unidirectional rotating bezel. The watch has impeccable legibility, courtesy luminescent hands, indexes and numerals, while the brand’s logo sits eminently at 12 o’clock. Jaeger-LeCoultre has gone a step further, maximising divers’ safety by using different colours to distinguish the hour and minute hands. The running seconds hand is tipped in orange for daylight visibility, with a central luminescent section to avoid any possibility of confusion with the other hands.
Powering the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox is a revised self-winding calibre 956, with a power reserve of 45 hours, which is also visible through the transparent sapphire back. Unlike previous Memovox watches that had a closed case back, to which the gong was attached, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox has a transparent sapphire case-back, allowing the wearer to watch the hammer in action. To achieve this, a complete redesign of the striking mechanism was required, with the gong now attached to the case side. The open-worked heavy metal rotor ensures an unobstructed view of the strike-works, its Côtes de Genève decoration matching the fine finishing on the movement plates. One important element remains unchanged, however: the signature “school bell” sound of the alarm, which lends such charm to the Memovox.
Thanks to the Manufacture’s expertise in striking movements, the Memovox has become the reference in wristwatch alarm calibres since it was introduced 70 years ago – employed in watches designed for both urban lifestyles and underwater sports.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE POLARIS MARINER MEMOVOX
Dimensions: 42mm x 15.63mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 956
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, alarm, unidirectional rotating inner bezel
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case and Bracelet: stainless steel
Dial: gradient blue dial, sunrayed, grained and opaline finishes
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 30 bar
Reference: Q9038180
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date
Next up is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date. This watch offers the classic diving-watch functions of hours and minutes, with a running time indicator (seconds hand) and unidirectional inner bezel, and the addition of an instantly-jumping date display. The dual-crown configuration is typical of super compressor-type diving watch cases, with the upper crown for operating the inner bezel and the lower one for setting the time and date.
Beating inside the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date is Calibre 899, a new-generation movement, fitted with some technical improvements to guarantee a power reserve of 70 hours (previously 38 hours).
JAEGER-LECOULTRE POLARIS MARINER DATE
Dimensions: 42mm x 13.92mm
Calibre: automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 899
Functions: hours/minutes/seconds, date, unidirectional rotating inner bezel
Power reserve: 70 hours
Case and Bracelet: stainless steel
Dial: gradient blue dial, sunrayed, grained and opaline finish
Case-back: open
Water resistance: 30 bar
Reference: Q9068180
