Jaeger-LeCoultre

1960's ORIGINAL POLARIS

Hello

I've had a watch kicking around at the back of a drawer for the last 20 years or so since my father-in-law gave it to me. Wanting to find out more about it, this site has helped me identify it as an original "Polaris" Memovox from the 1960's.

I have no paperwork or boxes for it, the watch is a little knocked around, the crystal is scuffed, the centre winder comes off if pulled and it has no bracelet or strap. On the upside, the movement and alarm still work ok and you can feel the automatic weight move ok when the watch is moved.

Trying to glean info about the watch is somewhat difficult and I would ask the experts for some help. Firstly, is the watch enough of an investment to have it restored ( providing restoration is something that one would do with a classic watch!) or would it be best to scrap it as I understand that case is made from platinum?. Secondly, if any experts are in the UK, do you know of a reputable restorer for such a watch?

Unlike the US version, the watch has Jaeger Le Coultre under the 12 and no "Memovox" by the alarm pointer.

Thanks for any help

Kind Regards

Cookerman

💰552 Marketplace Listings for Jaeger LeCoultre›

Pics please.

By: amanico : July 28th, 2011-13:49

Your case should better be in stainless steel... Ifin platinum, if it is a vintage, your watch is a fake. Pictures please, of the dial, movement, movement number, inside and outside case back + case number. Best, Nicolas.

Thanks Nicolas

By: cookerman : July 28th, 2011-13:59

Thanks for the info. Watchfinder here in the UK show the model 2006440 as having a platinum case. I have photos of the watch, front back and side. Is it easy to remove the back to obtain the movement number etc. or are special tools required? Thanks again...

This is definitely not the original Polaris, but the Tribute To Polaris

By: amanico : July 28th, 2011-14:03

Released in 2008. 165 pieces in platinum. If it needs a service, you have a problem, this is absolutely not normal. Best, Nicolas.

Definitely 1960's

By: cookerman : July 28th, 2011-14:10

Thanks Nicolas. Duff info from the UK. My father-in-law had the watch given to him as faulty in the early 1980's, he passed it on to me in the late 80's so can only presume it is original from 60's. Is it easy to take the back off to get photos or do I ne...

But the reference says Tribute To Polaris... Platinum.

By: amanico : July 28th, 2011-14:12

I can very seriously tell you that NO VINTAGE POLARIS has been made in platinum. Post the pics, please. Go to a wathcmaker, and ask him to open the watch, and post the requested pics of the outside / inside case back, movement and dial. Best, Nicolas.

Opened the Case - Inside info

By: cookerman : July 28th, 2011-14:54

Hi Nicolas Have opened the case. This appears to confirm stainless steel. Stamped on the back is "Acier Inoxydable". Le Coutre Co. The number 1116847. A scratched on number is 905 or 405 R77. Swiss Made. Compressor. Brevet. Suisse. 1 - 68. E859. On the ca...

I'm in the UK too...

By: Andy : July 28th, 2011-13:59

If you want to scrap it let me know I'm sure we can come to an agreement..! As Nico said some pics would be useful though. Yours, Andy.

I am not in the UK.....

By: Zsolt : July 28th, 2011-18:31

....but would fly there tomorrow if you really want to scrap it..... Cheers, Zsolt

I could come in from Paris on the Eurostar,

By: grigo : July 28th, 2011-22:08

if either of the firsty two candidates can't make it. Best regards, George

Who wouldn't travel around the globe for it

By: MMK : July 29th, 2011-00:06

if it really is original, congratulations. Put it up for auction and you'll get a car's worth for it. Or have a look in auction archives/past lots at christies, sothebys or antiquorum. Prices are higher for less polished specimen, so i would only have the...

really interested in the pics!!

By: kelsiph : July 29th, 2011-02:37

seems like it's going to be a lovely piece.

Somehow, sorry to say .. Not a lot of sense without pics ;-)

By: hs111 : July 29th, 2011-07:26

+1 with which has been said here before .. So please, provide pics, - that might get you even better answers .. Otherwise, it somehow remains .. air .. regards, hs

On the sales corner ?

By: karmin : July 29th, 2011-10:17

I am pretty convinced that, following this thread, pics will all of a sudden appear, on the Sales corner...

I really don't hope... I hate wasting my time. [nt]

By: amanico : July 29th, 2011-10:29

No message body

I'm beginning to think this is a troll post....still no pics..!! [nt]

By: Andy : July 29th, 2011-16:44

No message body

This is the reason why I'm more and more reluctant to answer to this kind of posts

By: amanico : July 29th, 2011-22:21

One must admit in this case that the story started out pretty well.

By: grigo : July 29th, 2011-23:31

To bad I guess, I kind of like these drawer discovery stories. Best regards, George

Or, another great example is the Deep Sea Alarm bought for 100 USD. A Classic. [nt]

By: amanico : July 29th, 2011-23:37

No message body

Sorry for the photo delay

By: cookerman : July 30th, 2011-09:06

...

Photos above

By: cookerman : July 30th, 2011-09:10

Sorry for the delay in uploading photos which were, unfortunately, taken off my iphone. Try as I might, I could not get the photo uploader to work on my Vista powered PC. It seems to work on my Win7 PC no probs though. I hope they help. If resolution is t...

More Photos

By: cookerman : July 30th, 2011-10:40

I have some more photos of the back of the watch, the movement and the casing. Regards Cookerman...

Correct watch. [nt]

By: amanico : July 30th, 2011-11:13

No message body

Thanks

By: cookerman : July 31st, 2011-04:08

Thanks for taking time to look at the watch photos and your reply. Regards Cookerman

congrats on the purchase [nt]

By: georgeszaslavsky : August 1st, 2011-09:26

No message body

Reference my 1968 Polaris Memovox

By: cookerman : August 1st, 2011-15:17

As a newcomer to the site, the interest shown and the help received from Nicolas, has been invaluable. The comments from Andy, Zsolt, Grigo, MMK, Kelsiph and Karmin were really helpful and encouraging. I intend to offer the watch for sale in its present o...