Jaeger-LeCoultre have been redefining the modern sporty-chic watch since 2018, with the Polaris collection which has been conceived for everyday adventures.
Deftly balancing the robust capabilities and practical functions of a sporty watch with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature elegance, the Polaris line pays direct homage to the Maison’s emblematic diving watches of the 1960s, capturing their sporting spirit and reinterpreting their vintage appeal in elegant and confidently contemporary style.
With the versatility of both a casually elegant everyday timepiece and a high-performing sports watch, the Polaris Chronograph is designed for optimal comfort on the wrist. Well-balanced and highly wearable, its 42mm steel case features the key Polaris design codes: taut lines, sharply curving lugs, a thin bezel, a glass-box crystal, and an eye-catching mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The large crown – a signature of the 1960s model that inspired the contemporary Polaris line – and robust pushers are designed for better grip and ease of use.
The new ocean grey dial is bold and visually striking, thanks to the richness of the lacquer and the contrast of bright orange details that speak to the chronograph’s sportier side. Complex in construction, the dial is composed of a central disc, a middle ring, to which the hour markers are applied, and an outer ring that is marked with the tachymeter scale. Sun-ray brushing on the central disc creates a subtle contrast with the smooth gloss of the hours ring; on both sections, the colour of the lacquer is graduated from light to dark, adding great visual depth to the dials.
The lacquering of the dial components is a lengthy and exacting process, with each layer of coating being applied manually. It begins with the application of a clear coat of varnish, followed by four layers of colour. Then a layer of black is applied to create the gradient effect. The challenge lies in controlling both the shade and the gradient, so that the two main sections of the dial match each other. This is followed by 30 coats of translucent lacquer, to add depth and richness.
Balanced by the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, the sub-dial at 9 o’clock animates the dial with a running seconds display. The circular graining of these sub-dials adds more visual interest, contrasting with the glossy central dial and the textured finish of the hours ring. Orange accents draw the eye to the key indications and add dynamism to the overall composition. In keeping with the contemporary Polaris design codes, skeletonised hands allow greater visibility of the indications and bold trapezoid-shaped indexes balance the fine detail of the chronograph displays.
The sapphire crystal case-back reveals the automatic movement, Calibre 761 – a quintessential example of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s approach to watchmaking that combines high performance with mechanical elegance. Powered by twin barrels, the fully integrated chronograph movement features a column-wheel chronograph mechanism with vertical clutch and offers a 65-hour power reserve. The fine finishing includes blued screws and Côtes de Genève decoration on the baseplate as well as on the signature open-worked winding rotor bearing the ‘JL’ motif.
Underlining its versatile and sporty spirit, the Ocean Grey Polaris Chronograph is presented with two interchangeable straps – one in blue-grey canvas and one in textured black rubber – enabling a change in style and attitude in a matter of moments.
Technical Specifications:
POLARIS CHRONOGRAPH OCEAN GREY
Case: Steel
Dimensions: diameter 42 mm; thickness 13.39 mm
Calibre: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 761
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds; chronograph with 30-minute counter, central seconds indication and tachymeter
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Dial: Ocean grey lacquer
Strap: Black rubber and additional blue grey canvas strap; interchangeable folding buckle
Water resistance: 10 bar
Reference: Q9028651
Price: RRP £13,500.00
For more information please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre