Unveiling a new chapter in its legacy of intricate watchmaking, Jaeger-LeCoultre glorifies its Polaris Chronograph collection with two innovative dials that resonate with the mastery of the Manufacture. Elevating the Polaris Chronograph’s iconic stature, these latest models blend versatility with contemporary chic, boasting interchangeable straps that transform the watch’s style and essence within moments.
Aesthetically Bold Dials
The striking dials of the new Polaris Chronograph models, marked by their clean modern lines and lacquered surfaces, capture the attention instantly. One features a rich, deep blue hue that encapsulates the Polaris’s elegant aspect, while the other, a first for Jaeger-LeCoultre, is adorned in warm grey, reflecting its sportier essence.
Both dials exhibit a complex structure, comprising a central disc, a middle ring with hour markers, and an outer ring marked with a tachymeter scale. The lacquer’s coloration on the central disc and hours ring is graduated, creating a visual depth that enhances the dial’s appeal. The meticulous process of lacquering these components involves manually applying each layer, starting with a clear varnish, followed by the colored layer. Ensuring the shade and gradient match perfectly is a significant challenge, followed by the application of 35 coats of translucent lacquer to attain depth and richness. Finally, the components are polished to a bright, mirror-like finish.
Timeless and Intuitive Layout
The dial layout of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph is both classic and user-friendly. A central chronograph seconds hand ensures precise reading of this crucial measurement. The 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock is counterbalanced by a sub-dial at 9 o’clock, which, in a departure from its predecessor, now features a running seconds display. This change adds animation to the dial while the circular graining of the sub-dials contrasts with the lacquered surfaces’ high gloss and the opaline finish of the outer ring.
Orange accents highlight key indications and inject dynamism into the composition. Skeletonized hands offer better visibility of the indications, and luminescent coating on the indexes, numerals, and hand tips ensure legibility in all lighting conditions – a vital attribute for a sports watch.
Intricate Movement
Visible through the sapphire crystal case-back is the automatic movement, Calibre 761, epitomizing Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of combining mechanical elegance with high performance. The movement, powered by twin barrels, features a fully integrated column-wheel chronograph mechanism with a vertical clutch, providing a 65-hour power reserve. The fine finishing includes blued screws and Côtes de Genève decoration on the baseplate and the signature open-worked winding rotor bearing the ‘JL’ motif. The movement is entirely designed, produced, finished, and assembled within Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufacture at Le Sentier, in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux.
Elegance Meets Practicality
The Polaris Chronograph masterfully balances the practical functions of a sports watch with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s elegant aesthetic. Inspired by the Maison’s iconic diving watches from the 1960s, the Polaris line reinterprets their vintage appeal with a contemporary and confident style. The 42mm steel case, featuring key Polaris design elements such as taut lines, curving lugs, a thin bezel, a glass-box crystal, and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, is designed for optimal wrist comfort. The large crown, reminiscent of the 1960s model, and robust pushers ensure ease of use.
Interchangeable Strap System
For a timepiece that adapts to every adventure, the interchangeable strap system allows a quick change of character and style. Each Polaris Chronograph comes with two straps: the blue dial model includes a steel bracelet and a blue rubber strap textured with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern, while the gray dial model features a beige canvas strap and a similarly textured black rubber strap.
Specifications
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: Blue lacquer or Grey lacquer
Strap: Blue dial – steel bracelet and additional rubber strap; Grey dial – beige canvas and additional rubber strap
Water Resistance: 10 bar
Reference: Blue dial – Q9028181; Grey dial – Q902843J
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph continues to define the essence of sporty chic with its latest models. Meticulously crafted, they showcase the artisanal skills housed within the Manufacture, offering versatility, elegance, and high performance. These new Polaris Chronograph models are a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking while preserving its heritage and aesthetic values.
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