Comments:
very interesting review of 2018 Polaris Memovox by Jason Heaton on Hodinkee...
He states that JLC manual specifically states watch, despite 200m water resistance rating, is not to be used for diving. So may I ask, what is the point of the pressure rating? The prototype he was sent, and with which he went diving (with JLC's permission) failed, and I am sure he did not go to even 100m depth. Surely, JLC can do infinitely better. Sadly, I am disappointed with JLC with regard to this model, and it certainly calls into question other models' water capabilities...
What are the causes? Not good, not good. But I would have liked to have more explanations on the issue. [nt]
No message body
Yes. Let us hope that JLC addresses this review head-on, in the public domain...
in a reasonable amount of time after its internal review. Including why it is not approved for diving?
Was the same thing true for the (more beautiful in my opinion) American and European versions of the tributes to Deep Sea Alarm from 2011, rated at 100m? That is, were they not officially approved for water activities to 100m?
Perhaps you can keep track of this for us with the maison?
Thanks, Nicolas.
Marc
What about this one?
Tribute To DEEP SEA for crying out loud. I sent an email to JLC asking if I could go scuba diving with it. Reply was: no. Only swimming (!). How stupid is that? Deep Sea my a..
Wow. Very surprised by this. Tribute to Shallow Bath Tub perhaps? [nt]
No message body
If they state 100m, it should be 100m.
It’s not that complicated is it? But the Swiss seem to be very, very skilled at having alternative facts...
I agree...my main objection is that it's marketed as a diver's watch (irrespective of meter depth)
If the wearer cannot dive with it, then JLC should dispense with the dive references and imagery.
Can I say it's still a cool watch, despite these faults?
Cheers,
John
I agree - it's possible to produce an ISO 6425 dive watch for sale at $150 so
irrespective of the unfortunate failure for reasons unknown - "early prototype".... whatever.
Having done the tribute models, JLC could have /should have done it right with a modernised killer Polaris 'halo' model to launch their dull new sports line.
However JLC decided to phone it in.
This Polaris should have the intrinsic features satisfying ISO6425 and then some. Respect has to be earned.
But it doesn't and it hasn't been . It's a marketing watch in a box and they seem to be struggling to shift even 1000 of the things. Even non-WIS have a sense of smell.
The 'progress' of this new line has perhaps led to a new CEO.
Velociphile
Having done the tribute models, JLC could have /should have done it right with a modernised killer Polaris 'halo' model to launch their dull new sports line.
However JLC decided to phone it in.
This Polaris should have the intrinsic features satisfying ISO6425 and then some. Respect has to be earned.
But it doesn't and it hasn't been . It's a marketing watch in a box and they seem to be struggling to shift even 1000 of the things. Even non-WIS have a sense of smell.
The 'progress' of this new line has perhaps led to a new CEO.
Velociphile
WR to 100 meters. This is the eternal question we have: Can a WR to 50 meters watch go at the depth of 50 meters? No way. 30 meters is considered as a minimum for the water resistance.
30 meters good for washing hands and shower, not more.
Best,
Nicolas
Best,
Nicolas
It should not be a question.
And it’s way overdue that someone does something about this straight out lying to consumers!
Vacheron Constantin have different guidance 30m = swim
I specifically asked about this of the QDI 30m WR and its supplied rubber strap
VC replied in the boutique:
"Guidelines: for daily use, activities on the surface of the water (e.g. leisure swimming, diving from the pool edge but not from a diving board).
Not for underwater swimming."
Would I swim with it? non!
Velociphile
VC replied in the boutique:
"Guidelines: for daily use, activities on the surface of the water (e.g. leisure swimming, diving from the pool edge but not from a diving board).
Not for underwater swimming."
Would I swim with it? non!
Velociphile
A disgrace for JLC
And a win for Hodinkee. I sometimes think that Hodinkee should be discounted, because they have become so “corporate”. But this is a superb review which highlights a fundamental and extremely embarrassing issue for this watch.
Ultimately, Richemont is to blame. The watch is not fit for purpose. The diver engraving just makes the situation even more laughable. I have heard many issues with JLC quality control, but this is the worst of all.
It’s not quality control here; it’s expectations and ratings
Please read this thread - we have discussed this many times before:
WATER RESISTANCE
WATER RESISTANCE
It’s very much like manufacturers’ suggested list price, or suggested Fuel Economy, or breast sizes. This is marketing, not fact.
Cazalea
I'd hope that engineering has some input at least
Water resistance ratings seem like a matter beyond the scope of the marketing team. I mean, engineers have to touch the thing at some point to make it actually run and keep time. I'd have expected them to assign the water resistance rating. Does it matter at all that this was a prototype?
Best,
Tim
Best,
Tim
From their unveiling at SIHH in January, I was confused by the entire Polaris line. Modeled after super compressor cases, but actually not super compressor cases.
None of the casebacks are screw-down, but have a few screws. None of the two or three crowns are screw-down. All the models are rated to 100m.
At least my steel tribute to geophysic 1958 from 2014 has a screw-down caseback, although the (single) crown is not screw-down. I would never swim with it, but I never worry about it getting splashed with water, with its 100m wr rating.
Tim, I would love to hear to discuss this topic during one of your watchbox shows, given your affection for JLC, and maybe explain the what method of water resistance the new Polaris line uses, including both caseback and crown sealing methods.
Best, Marc
Hi Marc, I don't have any firsthand experience with these watches yet
I handled them during SIHH, but we don't have any inventory yet at my company's AD branch. When I have a physical example of a customer-ready product, I'll put it through a low and high-pressure test battery in our watchmaking department. If it fails, we make a warranty claim, and a discreet update will appear here...
The Tribute to Polaris wasn't a hardcore diving implement nor was it a real Super Compressor case, and I don't recall any of this kind of basic durability controversy surrounding it or the Tribute to Deep Sea. Nicolas and other owners on this site have been swimming with those watches for up to a decade now with no horror stories.
My Extreme World Alarm has been swimming many times, and it's 100-meter rated. It also has compressor crowns. The Polaris Date and Memovox are rated to 200-meters, so I'd be shocked if they cannot do what my old watch does easily.
Best,
Tim
The Tribute to Polaris wasn't a hardcore diving implement nor was it a real Super Compressor case, and I don't recall any of this kind of basic durability controversy surrounding it or the Tribute to Deep Sea. Nicolas and other owners on this site have been swimming with those watches for up to a decade now with no horror stories.
My Extreme World Alarm has been swimming many times, and it's 100-meter rated. It also has compressor crowns. The Polaris Date and Memovox are rated to 200-meters, so I'd be shocked if they cannot do what my old watch does easily.
Best,
Tim
I confirm, I had no problems with my TT DSA or TT Polarises. Even when jumping from 5 meters high into water. [nt]
No message body
Interesting article. Don't know what to make out if it.
Did JLC marketing mess up here? They clearly did say cannot be used for diving despite the rating.
Water resistance is one of the hardest concepts to figure out
At the shop, we use both pressure testers and wet testers to evaluate a watch’s water resistance. It always surprises me how easy it is for a watch to pass the 30m/3 bar tests, even when it looks like the watch should fail. Watches with mangled gaskets, damaged crowns, etc., a watch can have visible signs of moisture damage inside, and yet it still passes the tests. Frustrating, when you consider that most people think 30m can handle swimming, when it almost definitely cannot. I would never wear these watches while swimming, let alone try it in the shower. For me, it has to pass a 50m/5 bar test just for me to feel okay to wet-clean the timepiece for a customer. Even then, I do it very quickly and try to minimize contact with water.
Case construction is also important. 100m/10bar with screwdown crown and casebacks, sure, should be okay for showers and swimming. 100m/10bar with no screwdown crown - I’ve seen many of these types of watches for repair because they didn’t hold up against water. Sad, but true. Based on this experience, I’m not surprised that JLC says that the watch shouldn’t be used for real diving.
It’s also a bummer that the author encountered an issue with the crown function - but to be fair JLC says it was a teething problem (which to me seems like the setting mechanism), while the author is guessing it was salt water...can’t really blame water-resistance on a prototype without more proof.
Thanks for this very interesting input. Brands should avoid saying a watch is water resistant to 30 meters, or 50 meters or so... People think they can do whatever they want with the...
Watch, at the given depth, which is definitely not true and problematic.
Yes brands should avoid this confusion.
Best,
Nicolas
Yes brands should avoid this confusion.
Best,
Nicolas
And the expectations were held high by JLC campaign
jaegerlecoultre#JLCSIHH: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox rings loud enough to alert a diver underwater thanks to the Calibre 956. Water resistance: 200m. Picture by explorer @alexstrohl
Great point. When a vibrant image conflicts with boilerplate text buried in the instructions...which do you think a consumer will believe?
You're absolutely right that JLC set a misleading expectation with this campaign.
Thanks for adding this to the discussion.
Cheers,
Brandon
Thanks for adding this to the discussion.
Cheers,
Brandon
From SIHH Keynote by the dep CEO G Lefebvre
"... a fantastic divers' watch....."
"... the toolwatch for.... diving....."
"... and the diving heritage, waterproof at 200m."
scripted speech too,
'Polarisgate' lol
V
"... the toolwatch for.... diving....."
"... and the diving heritage, waterproof at 200m."
scripted speech too,
'Polarisgate' lol
V