amanico
[JLC Moderator]
340762
SIHH 2018: Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date OR Polaris Memovox?
I discussed with many people at the SIHH and virtually, and while I thought that the Polaris Memovox was a clear winner, I was surprised to hear that the victory of the Memovox was not so large.
Yes, the Polaris Memovox is still a winner, in this " frontal game ", but there are quite a lot of people whose heart drive them to choose the Date.
The players.
The Polaris Date, on the left, versus the Polaris Memovox, on the right:
As you can see, the look is very close, with the same dial and bezel finishings: sunray on the center, grained on the outer part, opaline for the inner bezel, plus the vanilla colored trapezoidal indices and hands.
The case back is solid in both watches, with the same " Super Compressor " logo engraved on it.
Both have a sapphire domed glass.
There are two things you can easily notice, the absence of the legendary alarm triangle and the missing third crown at 3 o clock on the " Date ". Which is easily explainable, as the missing crown is due to the lack of alarm on the " Date ".
So the crown which operates the turning inner bezel is now located at 2 o' clock on the date, instead at 3 o' clock on the Memovox.
The case is the same for both watches, with an identical size ( 42 mm ), but a different thickness, 13, 1 mm for the Date, 15, 95 mm for the Memovox.
Live picture of the Date:
And of the Memovox:
The movements are, of course, different: Cal 899/1 for the " Date ", Cal 956 for the Memovox. No alarm and 38 hours power reserve for the first, alarm and 44 hours power reserve for the second, both being automatic and beating at 28, 800 alternances per hour.
The Cal 899/1:
The Cal 956:
The rubber strap is the same for both, but the " Date " can also be bought with the now famous steel bracelet, which is not the case for the Memovox, even if I think Jaeger Lecoultre won't refuse to sell you the steel bracelet if you prefer the Memovox.
Those who prefer the " Date " told me that they found it purer than the Memovox. Maybe because of the absence of disc, and the two crowns instead of three.
There are two points which are counting a lot, for me:
The important difference of thickness, in favor of the " Date ", and the retail, 7700 Euros for the Date with rubber strap, 8600 Euros for the Date with the steel Bracelet, while the Memovox is 12, 800 Euros.
About the thickness, on the paper there is a major difference, in the real, I had hard time feeling the Memovox was so big.
The Polaris Date:
The Polaris Memovox:
Now, there is the historical point of view. For me, the Polaris Memovox is the winner, because I cannot see a Polaris without an alarm.
But having the choice can never be seen as a problem!
What about you?
Best,
Nicolas
More posts:
SIHH 2018: Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date OR Polaris Memovox?
I discussed with many people at the SIHH and virtually, and while I thought that the Polaris Memovox was a clear winner, I was surprised to hear that the victory of the Memovox was not so large. Yes, the Polaris Memovox is still a winner, in this " fronta...
Easily the Memovox
I cannot believe that anyone would complain about the extra crown and dial details associated with the alarm - on a JLC Polaris, no less! That is like complaining about pushers and sub-dials on a Speedmaster Pro or the presence of a dive bezel on a Submar...
Moving Forward
amanico, Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date I understand the nostalgia of the "Memovox' but the Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date wins for all the reasons that you proffered. As we always have to move forward rather than vacillate in the past, the 'Date' model giv...
yep......
.....really important to move forward rather than vacillate in the past. No point being a dinosaur...... ....though of course, dinosaurs did rule the world for an inordinate period of time.
funny you say that.....
....i was very recently at the Natural History Museum. Fantastic dinosuar section. Learnt of a new dinosaur. The Deinonychus. Like a Velociraptor, but a bit bigger. Scientists are now thinking that these dinosaurs hunted in packs....a bit like wild dogs. ...
haunt or hunt? LoL
We think we hunt these watches.....yet its the other way around!!!
Memovox for me...
I visited the London Boutique on Saturday to see the prototypes and full collection. To be honest, they were nice but I wasn’t moved. I really wanted to see the World Time, but the 44mm size is just too big. I would have loved the piece at 41-42mm. The Po...
The Tribute To Polaris 1965 and 1968 are very appealing, I cannot say the contrary. The Anniversary piece plays another partition. I find it very interesting.
Especially if you are a Polaris fan. Thanks for your feedback, Dave. I get your point. Best, Nicolas
Three crowns for me.
If I had to choose and make the decision based on your pics, I'd go for the Memovox Simply more watch. Anyway, it would be mandatory to see them live, and feel them on my wrist in order to make the right decision. . Knowing there is the possibility to own...
Although it would have been an aesthetic departure from the original...
I would have much preferred a black date disc with white font. "White boxes" are my personal pet peeve. Matching-color date discs just make the watches look so much cleaner and more attractive, in my eyes. -Dean
Although neither one moves me,
it is interesting to see them side by side. Thickness aside, the memovox version dial has more "breathing room", so seems aesthetically better. With the larger arabics and indices, the smaller date version seems crowded. Maybe not so in real life, as I ha...
Hello Nicolas! You know I have a deep fondness for my Tribute to Polaris, so I was very excited with the news of this new line of watches...
... and I read with great interest your complete introduction to the new line you posted some weeks ago. After reading it, my first idea was to go after the limited edition Polaris Memovox. But as days went by and I re read your post, I begun thinking tha...
I don't know, Amigo. Maybe it would be great to have the Anniversary, as you already own the Tribute. Then, you would have to go for the original.
As for the rubber strap, I am not smitten by its look, but it is super comfortable. The bracelet would be a better option, indeed. Un abrazo, amigo. Nicolas
Ahh yes dear Nicolas! To own the original would be sublime!... but I feel I missed the train on that one!! In any case...
... I couldn´t make my mind about these new models. Regarding straps: I understand it is not big deal as we watch fanciers like to experiment with different types of straps. By the other hand I don´t own any rubber or silicon straps as I can´t bear the fe...
Well.. Quite easy for me.. I am a happy fan of the „classical“ TTP 68.. And if I did not yet have it, then for me the Memovox, please !
But from the new 2018 collection, my choice is the WT Chronograph; just have still to decide between the black one & the blue.. BTW, thx for a great review and splendid pics, needless to say. I have bookmarked your post, as so many others.. Best, hs
That choice sounds similar to the Geophysic family story!
Some who relates the name to the past are shocked by the present. However, the buyer who does not care that much about the past would go for the new model without a doubt (even if that person respects the past model and knows well the history of the brand...
Great feedback, E. Well, with a bit more than 1300 pieces ( all metals for Geophysic ) and 1700 pieces ( Polaris 1965 and 1968 ) we cannot really say that they are uber rare.
But trying to find a good one is another game... As for your comparison with Rolex, it is very à propos. That's exactly what I thought when I discovered the 50th Anniversary... A bit like... coincidence, the Seadweller 50th Anniversary past year. Best, Ni...
Excellent comparison!
but id certainly go for the Memovox- the alarm function revives the geek in me! p.s: waiting on your report of the new Reverso blue dial!
My Wish Would Be For...
...Jaeger LeCoultre to remove the date from the new Polaris. The date window entirely messes with the balance of the dial. My Two Euros. - Scotty
