Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox E 855 Black and E 859 Polaris 1965. A side by side picture, and a question.

Nov 21, 2017,00:38 AM
 

The reason behind this side by side picture is not only motivated by the pleasure to see these 2 beauties, but to see how similar and different they can be, and to try to find an answer to the following question:

Did Jaeger Lecoultre use the dial of the Polaris 1965 for the E 855 " Black "? 

When I took this picture, I know that, to be complete and more accurate, I had to compare the black dialed E 855 with a Jaeger Lecoultre E 859 Polaris 1965, and not only with a Lecoultre. 

Here is the Lecoultre Polaris versus the black E 855: 


As you can see, there is more wording on the Lecoultre Polaris than on the Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris or than on the Black E 855, as pictured above. The Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris is indeed closer to the E 855.

The Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris 1965.


Other than that, there are several common points. 

First, the dial is glossy. The alarm disc is very close, too, surrounded by some dots. But on the ( Jaeger ) Lecoultre Polaris, the luminous dots are bigger. And on the Jaeger Lecoultre, there is no Memovox mention written on its alarm disc, as it is the case for the E 855. 

There is a rectangular alarm triangle on the E 855 and E 859, but on the E 855 it is empty while on the Polaris it is filled with tritium. 

The hands can be the same ( Dauphine ) on both, or baton. Both configurations are correct in the Polaris, while the E 855 hands have to be Dauphine shaped. 

The black dial of the E 855 and E 859 is bombed, in both cases. The dial layout is very close. 


Both have thin metal indices, longer and larger on the E 855, and 6 / 9 / 12 applied hour markers in the Polaris.

Both the E 855 and E 859 1965 have a gilt signature, too. 

The Date disc is framed by a metallic window in the Jaeger Lecoultre and Lecoultre Polaris 1965. It is not framed in the E 855. 

It is interesting to keep in mind that the Polaris 1968 doesn't have a metallic window. And the date is stuck to the alarm indices, it doesn't " eat " them in the Polaris and in the Memovox E 855.


Another interesting point is the comparison of the production dates. 

The first Polaris was conceived as a prototype as soon as 1963. The definitive version came in 1965, and in production till 1967, to let place to the luminous indices the following year. 

The Black Memovox E 855 was unveiled circa 1967 / 1968, which helps to know which one inspired the other... 

Unless... Jaeger Lecoultre decided to use a Polaris 1965 dial in the E 855, with the different changes mentioned above. I still have to measure both dials, to see if this theory has some consistence. 

Looking forward to reading your comments, thoughts and opinion,

Best.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2017-11-24 09:27:05 This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2017-11-24 09:34:21


More posts: Jaeger LeCoultreMemovoxMemovox E 855Polaris 1965Polaris 1968

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It's great to see them side-by-side and

 
 By: crown comfort : November 21st, 2017-02:10
yes, the dials have a lot in common. They do serve a very different purpose and will have a different wirst feel, but they are unmistakenly Memovoxes. The LeCoultre Polaris is my favourite. What a watch! CC

Great comparison shots JLC Memovox 1967 vs Polaris 1965

 
 By: Bill : November 21st, 2017-08:00
Hard to deny that they are very close but still look very different. Great pictures. Bill

I do not know all the tech in's and out's on these two but what I know: my wrist would be glad to grant them some space.

 
 By: HSTE : November 21st, 2017-11:57
Top notch pictures of to fantastic watches my friend! Cheers, HSTE

Hmm, there is a robust "family resemblance" with these two

 
 By: Tim_M : November 21st, 2017-18:45
But I believe that it is the product of coincidence or a series by a single commissioned designer. Since even the most complete manufactures rarely employed full-time designers until the 1990s, I suspect that JLC may have found a Vallee de Joux artist tha... 

Magali's signature was 'form over function'

 
 By: Clavi : November 22nd, 2017-02:49
It is sad IMHO that the only JLC 'designer' that will be remembered is MM. Likely because she was a young blond person and was quite exposed in the communication as such (yes, I said it, and if you look at the comments from admirers back in the days, comm... 

Freelance watch designers were very common back then

 
 By: Tim_M : November 22nd, 2017-04:04
This is exactly how most watches were designed during the mid-century period. Genta, Albert, Richard Arbib, and others worked almost exclusively on a project basis. And while JLC did not "style" the Ervin Piquerez-engineered Super Compressor case itself, ... 

Cricket nautical and Polaris 1965 aren't really different, and the Vulcain certainly sets the precedent

 
 By: Clavi : November 22nd, 2017-06:53
I would even argue that Vulcain Cricket Nautical is much more innovative, in that it incorporates a design for decompression times - so, a purposed design for divers - while the 1965 polaris is pretty much just a regular memovox 855 housed in the Piquerez... 

Awesome Collection

 
 By: Gelato Monster : November 21st, 2017-19:01
Thank you Nico. I always learn something from your post.

Both great watches & indeed some common DNA..You reminded me on my own E855 &..

 
 By: hs111 : November 21st, 2017-22:27
.. the way and circumstances it came into my house - very special memories & ocassion in a loved city, when a now very good friend so kindly consulted me @ a certain Horology store & watchmaker.. With that E855 my Purist story began. ( well actually the T... 

My pleasure, HS. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : November 22nd, 2017-01:33

The dials have the same dimensions ...

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 22nd, 2017-01:14
And are interchangeable... Interesting point, Nicolas. I always thought the black E 855 was inspired to the Polaris 65 dial. But if the timeline you state is true, then most passable scenario would be. white E 855 White -> Polaris 65 -> E 855 Black. It ex... 

That claim seems to b e totally foolish IMHO

 
 By: Clavi : November 22nd, 2017-02:36
Ordering 'special dials' was certainly not a thing back in 1968 with JLC (nor has it been much since). Plus, what would be the rationale. I claim BS on that story (as I suspect you do ! )

Well, the black dial for the E855 is just the same dial as the white E855... but in black

 
 By: Clavi : November 22nd, 2017-03:13
I don't see a connection between the 1965 polaris dial and the E855 black dial, at least no in this way... If you remember the 2010 exhibition of 40 memovoxes at Artcurial, there was a certified 1961 black E855 memovox with the JL at 12 (back serial numbe... 

Not totally the same. Double indices at 9 and 6 o clock, no 6 and 9 applied hour markers, and I didn't pay attention to the black E 855 With the applied 12!

 
 By: amanico : November 22nd, 2017-04:51
I just had a look at my pictures during the exhibition, I don't find it... You have it? Best, Nicolas

DIal of black and white E855 are the same, and they predate the 1965 Polaris

 
 By: Clavi : November 22nd, 2017-07:05
from your very own report of the Artcurial even in 2010, see the black 1961 E855: and also here, along with another 1961 white dial : ...  

I have seen a pic of the watch...

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 22nd, 2017-02:46
But not in real. Hard to see that as real, but in the same time, hard to understand why one would make it up... Since the owner is not trying to sell the watch and would make more money on putting in a scrappy Polaris 68... I have tried to get the story c...