Unveiled in April 2018, three months after the other members of the Polaris family, the Polaris Géographique World Time is, in my opinion, one of the most tempting offer from this line of watches.
It took me several months to be able to see it in the real, and I must say that this experience confirmed my first positive impressions.
In January 2018, I had two favorite Polaris: The 50th Anniversary, and the Chronograph World Time.
Now, I am in trouble, as the Polaris Géographique is extremely tempting.
Let's see why.
First of all, the Géographique World Time has a superb dial. Like the other members of the family, it blends grained ( main dial ) sunday ( sub dials: power reserve, second time zone and date ), and opaline ( cities ring ), BUT it has something unique, its smoked blue / black hue, which is truely eye catching. Combined to its pronounced grained finishing, it gives the watch a look you find on some vintage dials whose lacquer has suffered, but in a good way. Charming, surprising, mysterious, a bit. Very much my taste.
The dial shares some DNA elements of style with the original Polaris, of course, the applied 3 / 9 / 12, the 6 being suppressed for the second time zone sub dial ) and the long and thin triangle indices. Naturally, it is very close to the Master Géographique, but with a sportier, cooler and less formal look.
What about the case? It is said that this Polaris has a 42 mm steel case. On the paper, it sounds a bit big, in the real, much less. I was surprised by that, as well. It wears more like a 40 mm watch. The fact that it is not too thick ( 11, 54 mm high ) may reinforce that feeling. I found it easy to wear, comfortable, not too intrusive, on the wrist.
Sporty and fresh, it certainly is, but the case is finished with great care, as it mixes polished and brushed decorations, and shows some generous bevels on the lugs.
This Polaris has a see through case back... Good or bad, it depends on everybody's taste. The movement is not bad looking, but nothing exceptional, and I would have preferred a solid back, a solution which sounds more consistent for a 100 meters water resistant watch, as well.
A few words about the movement, the Cal 936 A/1, which is automatic, made of 305 parts, beating at 28, 800 alternances per hour, and offering a power reserve of 43 hours, using the same rotor than in the other members of the Polaris family.
The functions of this Polaris drive me to think that it is more a world time than a Géographique. The name Géographique is a nod to the dial of the eponymous Master, obviously, but this is the only reason I see. Indeed, you have the date and the power reserve of the Géographique, added to second time zone and a world time, which is pretty original, for a world time!
As a huge fan of world time watches, my heart was waving between the Geophysic Universal Time and the Polaris World Time Chronograph.
The Geophysic Universal Time, in steel or in rose gold:
The Polaris World Time Chronograph:
Now that this Polaris Polaris Géographique World Time has been unveiled, the cards have been redistributed for me, as it replaced the Polaris Chronograph World Time.
The Geophysic Universal Time has the advantage of its movement, the Cal 772, which is a new one, with its original " true second ". The dial is more classic, and beautiful.
The proportions the case are very close: 41, 6 mm big, 11, 84 mm high for the Geophysic, even if the shape of their case is very different.
The Polaris Géographique World Time is cooler, more sporty. Its case is more macho, and more shaped for the adventure, as it is 100 meters water resistant, while the Geophysic is only 50 meters water resistant.
The power reserve is close, between these two: The Geophysic has an autonomy of 40 hours ( 43 for the Polaris ).
So, I feel that the final choice will depend on what you want to do with your watch. If you opt for polyvalence, then the Polaris is for you. If you only want a travel watch, then the Geophysic may be the good choice.
If you want a real new and special movement, the Geophysic is the one.
Both dials have their charm, interest and personality...
I still don't know which one to go for, but one thing is sure, I can't go wrong with any of them. Even their price is close ( circa 14, 000 euros ).
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas
