Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hello to All of you, Polaris Lovers.

And to All the others, who love Vintage,Iconic, Historical watches with a strong identity and charism.

Here's the re birht of one of these watches, that I'm glad, not to say..proud to introduce you, The Polaris.

I inivite those of you who don't already know well this watch to the Review...



The 2 same guys with Yves, another Yves from Marseille, aka Dédé de Nantes...Asi is stuck on the Polaris Watches...LOL



And now, in big conversation, Andy..Our Andy who specially came frrom Maaaanchester for the event!!!



Were also attending to this event: Patrice, Marv,Jerome...now we are pacsed, my friend! LOLOL, and some other great guys from the mad watch world..

A special mention for Elisabeth Ville, Julie Tozo, and Philippe Pozzo Di Borgo, the JLC French Dream Team, for their sense of hospitality, their Champagne and Petits fours, even if I didn't have the time to eat and drink...LOL

Here's a pic of Elisabeth who was asked if a discount was possible on the Polaris...LOLOLOLOLOL



Do you hear her saying...NooooWay! ??? LMAO.

After great people, the great watches...

Let me first begin with the original watches.Wel, to be precise, I only took pics of a special watch I didn't already photographed, the Proto form 1963!
As I took a lot of pics of the vintage Polaris from 1968 in my review...







Enjoy these pics as you won't see many of this watch... The proto form 1963 rules, and this model is in very good condition, even perfect condition!

The most important charactersitics of this Polaris 1963/ 1965 are:

- A Dome plexy, spectacular!

- The metal indexes.

- A date window with a fine band of metal...

- The crowns, with a special design.

- Dauphine Hands.

- The writing on the dial: Jager Lecoultre at 12, Automatic at 6, and Swiss made just under.
A precision about the writing...On some 1963/ 1965 pieces, you will notice "Automlatic- Alarm- Calendar"...
This is NOT systematic, as some watches, like this Vintage one, just have " Automatic" written.

- " 3 ", " 6 ", and " 9 " are aplied, not painted numbers.

- The alarm sounds like a " Cricket", or a big frog.

- The date set is laborious, as you have to change the hour between 10 PM and 2 AM to set the date.

Now, let's see the Re Edition of this model...











All the characterstics above mentionned are respected...

The plexy is domed, and frankly...Gorgeous!

The Crowns are exactly the same than the vintage!

The dial has the same look, exactly the same, except one little thing that JLC will improve...

With the following macros, you'll see that the window date " eats " a bit the indexes of the alarm. JLC will rework it.
As the color of the indexes of the bezel, which will be more " silver ", as the original.





Indeed, a great job from the JLC team!

And on the wrist, the result is really wowowow!
Very comfortable, perfect size, big presence, class and elegant, this watch has all!



The original, and the re edition side by side? No problem, here you are, before you ask...LOL



Then, let's now have a look on the 1968 model...

The big difference is of course the dial.

The hands, the indexes, the window date are the main things that change on this version.







Here again, I'm very enthusiast by the work done on this watch!

The indexes are the same, as the hands, the alarm part...This watch is a perfcet re edition of the original 1968 model, even on the writings...
Each details has been perfectly thought and realized.
Some little improvemens will be done, like the window date, and maybe, the color of the indexes...

On the wrist, as its little sister...perfect!



One nice detail...On the original model, the symbol of the compressor was inside the case back, so, not visible...
Here, instead of a smooth non engraved case back, we'll have the symbol of the compressor engraved on the case back, the WR symbol, and the number of the watch in the LE series.

.



Nice, isn't it???

As for the alarm, and this comments are for both Polaris presented here...The sound is much more refined than in thevintage model, as the caliber is not the same, allowing also a quck set date, which will be a good news for all the Memovox owners.
It souns less froggy, more cricket, but a nice cricket, a refined one, with a smoking! LOL

The movement will beat at 28 800 vph, instead of the original 18 000.

To end with this long post, some macros of the dial of this version...as for you to appreciate the big and great work on this watch.









Now a tough question... If I had to choose between these 2 re editions, whicc one will I take???
...
...
...
BOTH!

Indeed , here's a last pic illustrating my answer...The 2 re editions, with the 2 original Polaris... Can't make my choice!!!



Hope you enjoyed this post...This year JLC proved that Innovation and Tradition are true words to describe this " Grande Maison"!
Best to All of You..from an Happy and excited guy!
Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-04-04 13:50:52 This message has been edited by Dje on 2008-04-05 01:27:24 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-04-06 22:36:48

The event was amazing and I would like to thank everybody I met for their hospitality and friendship during my visit.  It is great to finally put faces to the names..!!

There isn't much more to be said about the Polaris and both of the new versions are stunning...!!!!!

Andy.

This was great to meet you.
hope we'll have other occasions to meet again!
Did you like it?
Best.
Nicolas

and your pics really do it justice too....you even got a good pic of me..!!  Not an easy feat....LOLOL.  Drinks on me next time.

Andy.

Thanks for the great post as usual !

Too bad I have not been able to attend the presentation :-(

It is very exciting to see that some smart people can make the re-edition of a 1960's watch without spoiling it with Luminova and a sapphire crystal !

And I know that you collaboration with JLC has been very important to make this re-edition possible and faithfull to the original design.

I will now have a better look at the pictures and cross my fingers....hoping that the JLC people will make a decent strap for the watch (carbon fiber !?!?)...lol

(Photo: OredelMondo)

 Cheers

          Jeff

Yep, we missed you last night!

As for Polaris Straps, nothing is definitely decided.

The idea was to make a strap with the look of the Tropic, but with the comfort of a tan strap.

I'm not the only one who talked to JLC for this watch.

In fact, we were 3 friends to do it.

And I deeply think that those to thank for these watches are the JLC people who worked on this project, as their job is indeed great.

It was a lot of fun, and a very interesting  thing to share with JLC our point of view on this topic.

Best.

Nicolas

 

Thanks Nic for sharing your passion on the Polaris!

Great pics of the vintages to compare with the re-ed. and the re-eds protos do  the vintages some justice, very very similar.

Wonder if any would come to Singapore eventhough there's a JLC boutique here.hm.....

Cheers

Pat

As these watches will travel in the world to be seen by passionate guys like you.

Thanks for the very nice words, my friend...mùuch appreciated, and these are not only words, I can tell you.

Best.

nicolas

... a re-edition that can truly claim to be a re-edition as opposed to an 'homage' or an 'interpretation' - and not one, but two!!  ["But wait, there's more...!!"].

For many, this is a great outcome. It will also be interesting to know what readers think of the shift to a higher-beat movement. At least the move means we finally have a quick-change date: as you say, Amvox owners will praise the day.

All kudos to you Nicolas for your energy in bringing this watch to us - not only in pictures but also in the metal. Hopefully supporters of JLC will vote with their wallets so that the manufacture will remain convinced of the value in re-issuing the icon models, and movements perhaps.

What will you press for next ???

Again, many thanks.

 

Cheers,

pplater.

LOL

Let's first appreciate this Polaris as it deserves, then we'll think about the next re edition.

LOLOL

Yes, with the Polaris, all "pleaded " for a re edition, as the size ( 42mm) is still nowadays very actual, at the contrary of other vintages, which are a bit too small, like the Pilot watches, for example, ( 33 mm ).

This is the perfect example of how difficult it is to do a re edition...As you have to perfectly respect the deisgn, the characteristic, and even...the soul of the watch...It's much more than copying an existing watch.

You're totally right, an hommage or interpretation watch is much easier to do...

As for the next re edition to come, what I appreciate a lot is the philosophy of JLC about this topic...

Re editions aren't and won't be generalized...They have to remain exceptional, to point out the JLC past, which is made of some iconic watches...It's true that if they remain rare and exceptionnal, these iconic watches will stay iconic.

I was waiting with impatience your reaction, pplater, yours and some others, to see if as I thought, this watch will make you happy.

Now I'm happy myself!

Best.

Nicolas

 

I am sorry I missed such a great event. The Polaris looks superb and it must be very satisfying to see your efforts come to fruition.

Simon

We really missed you, last night!

And thanks a lot for your nice words, as you know that the Polaris was and still is, of course, an important watch for me.

Best, my friend, still hoping to see you soon, my friend.

Nicolas

for this great post, to be "watch" again and again before discovering real ones.

We are thinking to be with you for this presentation. Wow for all details presented and your comments.

Please to meet you soon.

Best regards,

Patrickh

Yep, one day hope we'll meet soon.

It's a great experience to see in the flesh a project like this one.

And last night was a blast for me. Too many emotions!

Best.

Nicolas

Hi nicolas,

Very good read.....i like it,lots of pictures,short in story telling but full with facts,lots of sense of hummour......very easy to bite and digest.Good work!!

Fot this.....i will definately going to get one RE-EDITION POLARIS!Both are perfect,either one reedition also will justify the "POLARIS".

thanks for such nice article.

BHK9

My dream would be that the Polaris becomes a Community Watch, a... Friendship Watch.

One thing, BHK9, if you wznt the re edition for the boutique, you'll have to order it to the Paris Boutique...

PM me if you want me to help you on it.

Best, my friend, you made my day!

Nicolas

Nicolas,

seriously, you are killing me here. I am going to be spending my children's college fund on watches if you keep doing these reviews. They are not born yet, but they are sure to come into this world in debt if I have to keep seeing pictures of Polaris' and Master Divers, not to mention the Duometre and MRs. I may have to look for a new job soon just to keep up.

Great work as always and thanks for the fantastic reading.

Regards,

Utkarsh

No problem, my friend...Your children are not already born, so you can't spoil them with buying  these watches! LOLOL

Thanks a lot for this big compliment, Utkarch, I really and deply appreciate it.

Best!

nicolas

I like the 1963/1965 edition a bit more.    Thanks for these wonderful pics, Nicolas!

I remember big discussions with some firends who told me" Hey, why the Metal indexes"??? "I much prefer the painted indexes" ...

And when they saw both...They just told me: "OK, now I'm in trouble"..."I just want both of them"...

If you're having trouble to figure out which are the originals, so I think that the JLC work is perfectly done!

Thanks a lot for your input, Allen.

Best.

nicolas

 

Gorgeous watches !

It's always difficult to make again a similar watch because I'm sure a lot of people don't agree about this. But they managed to do it, in fact twice, congrats to JLC and to the people involved in this project.

Thanks again Nico for the pics.

Fr.Xavier

That's exactly that...

When I spoke with some friends of mine about this idea, they told me that it may not be a good idea...

A lot thought that, but finally, if the work is perfectly done, this is a HIT.

Thanks a lot ofr your precious comments, my friend.

Nicolas

Thank you for this great post, Nicolas!

This event was a real succes with also the participation of Marc André that was available to highlight some historical points. Thanks a lot to the JLC team!

But - and there's always a but - I am facing now a challenging problem : before the presentation, I wanted to go to the 1965 reedition. Now, the 1965 reedition remains my favorite but the 2 reeditions are so attractive and enough different that I need them both!

Congratulations to all the people that have been involved in the project. They can be proud of the outcome.

-------------
Marv

 

I perfectly hear you...

I was saying to myself ok, i'll go on the metal indexes as I own the Vintage painted indexes...

Now that I saw them both , I want them both...

I hear you.

Happy to have spent this time with you, Christophe!

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

 

Elisabeth Ville, the JLC Paris boutique Manager is nothing else but a sweat heart. She will give you anything she possibly can as well as well as ensuring a kind and generous welcome.  A big thank you to Elisabeth, and above all, long life to her, and Julie, and Philippe whom are teaming in perfect harmony, all constantly perusing total clients' satisfaction.  Being a client of the Parisian boutique of JLC, is knowing the full definition to the word privilege.

 

As for the Polaris editions, they are just perfectly executed, my first take will with no doubts be that Polaris Boutique '1965', but both are so attractive.  As for the packaging... it just feels like it is the 60's again, yet with a vision on the future.

 

As usual ;-) Thanks for this great report.

 

Now what we need is a Polaris countdown ... ;-)

 

To create a new forum???

What do you think of ...POLARISTI??? LOLOLOLOLOL

As for what you said about Elisabeth and all the JLC team, can't agree more, Yves...Well, very well put, indeed.

These women and guys rule!

Best, my friend!

Nicolas

How can you be so material???

We speak of dream, perfection, soul, and you... PRICE? LOLOLOLOL

Best.

nicolas

For the artikel, love the dial, simple, clear, timeless, normal not a big fan of new editions, but this could even work for me.

 

Cheers,

Michel

My friend...

Someone said it well, Allen, I think...

You really nedd to pay big attention to make the difference between the original and the re edition.

That's the success of this watch!

Best, my friend, and thanks for the nice words

Nicolas