Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 65 Vintage Acquisition
Vintage

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 65 Vintage Acquisition

By amanico · Jul 15, 2012 · 82 replies
amanico
WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum
82 replies17942 views22 photos
f 𝕏 in 💬 🔗

amanico's long-awaited acquisition of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 65 culminates years of dedicated searching, offering a deeply personal and educational account for vintage collectors. His detailed examination addresses key authentication questions surrounding hands and case backs, providing crucial insights for identifying genuine examples. This post serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the nuances of this highly sought-after vintage diver.

82 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →
After so many years of hunt, I found it.
 
 
To be honest, I didn't find it, a good friend of mine did it for me, which is one of the many evidences that this Community is great...
 
And as a good thing never comes alone, another friend of mine found the Tribute To Polaris 65, too!
 
They won't replace all the watches I lost, but you can imagine how happy I am, and how I feel after such great gestures...
 
Back to the Polaris 65, I mean the Vintage, there were some remaining interrogations about this watch.
 
- First, are the baton hands correct?
 
  
 
Now, we can say that on the LeCoultre Polaris 65, both hands, Dauphine or Batons, were used.
 
- The second question is more delicate: On the Polaris '65, does the case back have to show the 16 holes we ALWAYS see on the Polaris '68, or not?
 
My first reaction was to say that yes, the case back was common to the Polaris '65 and ' 68.
 
But now, I start to seriously wonder.
 
Why?
 
Because I saw several all original and untouched Polaris '65 ( even a few complete, box and papers! ) coming with the " plain " case back, as well as the " 16 Holes ".
 
So, I exchanged my observations with some long time collectors and with the Heritage Gallery, and there is a strong possibility that both case backs are correct.
 
From what I've been told by the Heritage Gallery, the 50 protos from 1963 came without " 16 holes " case backs, so the first Polaris '65 may well have " borrowed " them.
 
The '65 case back, without the 16 holes:
 


 
The '68 Polaris, with the 16 holes:
 
 
- The Key Points for an authentic Polaris '65:
 
* The signature on the movement HAS TO match with the signature on the dial. When the Polaris is a Jaeger Lecoultre, the movement has to be signed Jaeger Lecoultre, while the movement has to be signed Lecoultre when the Polaris is a Lecoultre.
 


 


 
Another precaution would be to check that the movement number is compatible with the production year, too ( circa 1, 7xx xxx ).
 
* The inside case back MUST BE stamped " 65 ", and MUST NOT BE stamped " Jaeger Lecoultre ", as no Polaris came with a Jaeger Lecoultre signature inside the case back.
 
The date is an important detail, as I often saw some Polaris '65 coming with a 68 case back. This is definitely not correct, and we can suspect a reassembled watch ( Polaris '68 with a '65 dial ).
 


 


 
Why there are so many reassembled Polaris'65?
 
Because they are much rarer than the Polaris '68!
 
1214 Polaris '68 were made ( 1967 / 1968 and 1970 ), while only 500 Polaris'65 were released.
 
* When the Polaris '65 is a Lecoultre, you will see " Memovox " written close to the alarm triangle, on the alarm disk, which is not the case on the Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris.
 
This is a detail shared with the Polaris 68, though.
 
- That being said, what about some pictures of this beauty, now?
 
The only visible difference between a Polaris '65 and its '68 sister is the dial, as the case, the crowns and the huge plexy are exactly the same.
 
But should I really say " Only "?
 
Indeed, the radicaly different dials give a very distinctive look to these 2 Polaris.
 
What are these differences?
 
* A deep black and glossy dial with a matt alarm disc on the '65, while the '68 is totally matt, with no mismatch between the dial and the alarm disk.
 
* Long and thin NON LUMINOUS silvered baton indexes on the '65, while the '68 has large and LUMINOUS greenish tritium indexes.
 
* Tritium dots on the Alarm disk of the Polaris '65, versus rectangular luminous indexes, each 5 minutes on the '68.
 
* Applied 6 / 9 / 12 on the '65, versus luminous painted numbers on the '68.
 
* Anodized triangle on the '65, versus a luminous one, on the '68.
 
* Cherry on the cake, gilt writing and alarm indexes on the '65 only.
 


 
The two sisters:
 


The Polaris '68 is a bad boy's watch, powerful, charming, with a strong character, as a Diving watch must be.
 
The Polaris '65 is playing a different register: More elegant, it looks like a big Black E 855, less tool watch than the '68, dressier.
 


 
Curiously, the full alarm dots make the dial look smaller than it is, in the real life, as its visual is more " centered ".
 


 
It is curious that, for a diving watch, the long five minute indexes are not filled with a luminous material...
 
 
 But what you loose it functionality, you win in elegance. Which is exactly the contrary with the Polaris '68.
 


 
One last detail, which will require some attention, is about the lugs, which have a huge bevel, reminding that the Polaris is naturally a toolwatch, as you can see here:
 


 
One picture I dreamt to take, since the Tribute To Polaris 65 was revealed: The Tribute To Polaris and the Polaris 65, all together, in a family gathering:
 


 
Do you see how empty and full dots give a different perception of the dial, which looks bigger on the Tribute?
 
We can also observe how close the Re Edition is, from the original.
 
Let me close this review with a festival of wrist shots on its original tropic strap, or on a Nato.
 
In both cases, a big presence, a huge pleasure, a feeling which is hard to put in words...
 
Let the pictures do the speech:
 


 


 


 


 
A last one, my favourite:
 


 
Much less known, but certainly not less desirable, than the Polaris '68, this version is, to me, an important watch in the JLC history.
 
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
 
Best.
 
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-07-15 00:16:21 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-07-17 14:40:13

About the Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Ref. MemovoxE855

The Memovox E855 is a notable iteration within the Memovox family, recognized for its alarm complication and often associated with designs from the 1970s. This reference represents a period when Jaeger LeCoultre explored various aesthetic expressions for its alarm watches, appealing to collectors interested in the brand's mid-century output. It stands as an example of the Memovox's enduring appeal as a functional and distinctive timepiece.

This reference typically features a case, often in stainless steel, housing an automatic movement. The specific caliber, such as the K825 or 825, is known for its dual-crown system, one for time setting and winding, and the other for setting and winding the alarm function. The case diameter is commonly around 37mm, and it is fitted with a crystal, often acrylic, protecting a dial that frequently includes a rotating inner disc for the alarm setting.

For collectors, the Memovox E855 is valued for its mechanical alarm complication and its place in the lineage of Jaeger LeCoultre's alarm watches. Its variations in dial design and case materials offer diversity for those assembling a collection of Memovox models. The E855 appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate the brand's technical innovations and the distinct character of its alarm timepieces from this era.

Specifications

Caliber
Cal. K825
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
37mm
Dial
Silver
Crystal
Hesalite

Key Points from the Discussion

Advertisement
The Discussion
DR
dr.kol
Jul 15, 2012
Congratulations Nico,

I'm very happy that you found some missing pieces of your (huge) puzzle. Best, Kari

AM
amanico
Jul 17, 2012
Thank you, Kari, for your kind words. [nt]

FE
fernando
Jul 15, 2012
You lucky B!

What a great post to read on a Sunday. I am so happy for you. :) This is arguably the most sought after vintage JLC on the planet! You are a hunter extraordinaire and without much warning, makes a killing! Superb catch my friend and may you wear it in good health and friendship. :) Best Fernando

AM
amanico
Jul 17, 2012
I have to thank my friend, here, who did all the job.

The most sought after Vintage JLC? Certainly one of the most sought after, along with the very elusive DSA Europe ( how many did you see in the different collectors market? Me always never! ) the Geophysic, the Memovox WT ( Ref 3160 ) and the MARK 11 RAAF. But there was a malediction on me, with this watch. So, a friend broke the malediction with this incredible gesture. Best, Fernando. Nicolas.

FO
foowy
Jul 15, 2012
Amazing and congratulations!

You know you got good friends, when they search and find such rare models in pristine condition and offer it for you to grab instead of keeping it for themselves. That's all you really need end of the day....good friends and better yet if they love watches too :)

AM
amanico
Jul 17, 2012
+1. I know my luck,, foowy. Be sure of that. [nt]

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Jaeger-LeCoultre forum with 82 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →