Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Tribute to Polaris is a beautiful watch (I' am waiting for a 68 model) but I am sorry to say that there are some extremely disturbing details.

Decent criticism should be allowed...

The 68 model was announced to come with luminous material on hands dial and rotating bezel that shows a permanent yellow colour (pics by JLC):

But in reality (picture taken from this thread - click here) it is clearly visible that the green colour of the Luminova of the hands is totally different from the colour of the luminous material on the dial. - In short words: it does not match at all...

Even if the watch comes with a letter that provides an option for an exchange of the dial I find it pretty inadequate that such things should be resolved at the expense of the customers! Despite the fact that this option will be free of charge my experience tells me: the watch will be gone for a few weeks...! How can JLC expect that customers who waited already one year are willing to send such a watch back just when they recieved it! - Isn't this a strange interpretation of the word "service"...?

Moreover, it cannot be assured that after the change of dial the watch will have an harmonic and consistent appearance as it was announced on the JLC picture. The green Luminova of the hands will still be completely different from the Luminova on the dial …

My question is: Why doesn't JLC use the same type of Luminova for all elements of the watch ???

It would have been so simple to give the Luminova of dial hands and bezel the same colour!

Imagine a JLC compressor chronograph or a memovox compressor with green Luminova in the hands and yellow Luminova on the dial!

Wouldn't it be an absolute No Go ... or at least a true lack of prefection ???

Best Regards

When you dive, at least there is clear distinction between the hands and the dial.

Maybe JLC thought along those lines, it should be seen as an updated model, not as a replica of the old model.

 

Cheers, just my silly opinion.

Thank you for your opinion.
Even if it is not a replica but an updated model the colour of the Luminova should be consistent because it was announced like that!

I don't pay peanuts so I won't take a monkey!

As far as I know no other watch of the entire JLC collection comes with non-uniform luminous materials.

Just my 2 cent...

So don't go on it!

I don't see the problem.

The watch is not good for you, so then don't even consider it.

Sorry but I don't see your point.

If you're among the lucky ones who get the first Polaris 68, you may change the dial, or immediately say to your Dealer: " No way. I don't take it, send it immediately to the Service Center for a change of dial".

And you will be exactly in the same situation than those who will get the right dial.

So, where is the problem?

You don't like it?

It's normal, everybody can't like the same watch.

Then, let it to others who will be pleased with.

Best.

Nicolas

Was the Luminova issue a mistake on JLC's part or simply part of the design?

 

 

But as JLC didn't want to delay the release of the first Polaris, they let the choice to the first owners to change the dial for free...

And it will concern only a few Polaris.

So, once again , I don't see the problem, and I'm curious to see how many owners of this version will change their dial with the normal one...

Not me, at least.

Best.

Nicolas

I won't change the dial as I am more than happy with "the mistake"

Saludos,

Tony

The Polaris tribute is a watch conceived by passionate collectors and greatly appealing to collectors.  I am sure that with any other model, the 'faulty' dial would not have left the manufacture doors, BUT I must say most collectors are happy it did. I am sure that many collectors receiving the 'correct' dial would be happy to trade watches with you, it may be easier than to send it back for changing of the dial. The debate which one is preferable will continue to echo for many years but IMO you cannot go wrong with either.

Just a quick question, would you replace this one with the correct version?




Cheers,

Asi

 

I believe AP made the same mistake on the ROO alinghi before, with the spiral shape team logo in the wrong colour, and the watch actually sold for a higher premium.

I believe there's an italian in this forum holding the re-edition with the same flaw you mentioned.

Well, take it as a blessing in disguise. Or trade it off for the correct version, and maybe regret in a year when this piece you hold sells for far higher than the actual re-edition piece.

I'd keep it if i were you.

Sorry guys, but I didn't order this watch to sell it again with profit!

I am not a dealer I am a collector - price speculations are of no relevance for me!
And yes, I own a collection of vintage dive watches from the 60th!

@ Asimut:

I am collecting watches not stamps, so allow me to ask you a quick question back:

Let's say you own a vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms with nice old yellow Tritium luminescent material on dial and hands!
You send the watch to Switzerland for service and it comes back with a brandnew set of hands with green Luminova!

Would you let it change back to the correct version???

I would!

@ amanico:

Sad to read such an unobjective statement - please stick to facts !

Did I hit a sensitive point ?
It would be much better to give answers to questions.

The question is:
After changing the dial to the yellow version (for those who don't like the orange indicators) the dial will have a more yellow Luminova  while the hands are still green!

A uniform colour of all luminous materials on dial and hands is a very important point for watch enthusiasts and collectors all over the world!

An early Speedmaster is many times more collectible with original hands in consistent colour but one with replaced or restored hands!
Same thing with Seamaster 300... An early Submariner looses aprox. up to 50 % of its value when the old Tritium hands have been replaced by new ones with white Luminova...

If this aspect shall be completely irrelevant to the Polaris 68 Re-Edition, why was it then announced with consistent colour of Luminova??

Thank you for an objective statement!

Regards

of course I would never want my tritium to be replaced with luminova.  You are aware that this is a tribute watch with luminova, right?
Appreciating the odd and rare is quite appealing to me as a collector. It is not the MAIN motif of my collection, but surely a nice added benefit. It has nothing to do with value and I am certainly not a dealer. I encountered similar debates regarding the Panerai model from 1993 referenced 5218-201/A (aka the LOGO). The first run had a fault where the varnish reacted with the tritium enhanced paint resulting in a orange-brown colour. Some collectors prefer this 'non-matching' version (myself included), while others swear by the matching version. Both are very collectible and have their own appeal.
In any case, I hope you better understand JLC's decision not to discard this first series and I think that in this case, it does not reflect negetively on their quality.

I hope you enjoy your Polaris, and look forward to see some pictures soon.

Peace,

Asi
This message has been edited by Asimut on 2008-12-07 11:04:59

In the Polaris of 1968 the hands were different in colour with the indexes, as You can see in the attached photo the colour of hands are identical in 68 and in tribute to polaris. JLC is simply trying to redone the indexes as it was in 68 and they made a mistake but they're working to repair it.
Bye from Italy
Marco

@ Marco
Interesting point, but I am not shure about this!
The watch on the picture could be restored and the luminescent material of the hands could be renewed ...

Let's have a look to some more pictures:








Source: click here, click here

On the first picture the hands seem to be a bit more yellow, on second and third one the colours are quiet equal and on the fourth picture the hands show a bit more green...

I think we must consider that 40 years of aging under individual light conditions can lead to various combinations of colours due to variable aging effects.

I would suggest that if there was a difference in colours it was not a very distinct one...

@ Asimut

Thank you for your posting! - Yes, I know that the  tribute watch comes with luminova and I can understand that the odd and rare is quite appealing to you.

But let us take in account that many vintage dive watches are not original anymore showing repainted dials and renewed hands!

Concerning this fact a descreet permanent yellow luminova on all elements of the Tribute would have been very appealing to me!

A new edition is also a chance to make it better...

Best Regards

Sorry for my bad English
I've seen many and many Polaris from '68, knew many owner of this incredible watch, and I'm quite sure that the color of the hands is different.
A friend of mine talked wit JLC and they confirmed that.
It's all, I hope this help.

Ciao
Marco

Thank you Marco!
So did I! And every vintage Polaris was different!

I will wait for the regular dial.
Maybe it fits better...

Best Regards

P.S. No need for excuses! I'm not a native speaker as well...

At least on my vintage Polaris.

The indices are a slightly greenish yellow, the hands are much more greenish. Elegant combination, methinks.

But never that much different as on the Tribute. And frankly, I find the yellow/creamy indices with the bright edge around not very appealing (judging from pics) according to my taste. I've seen many pics now of vintages, but no one ever had that yellow colour.

It is true, in all the Polaris original that I have seen, the hands are greenish, the indices yellow-brown.  This is true in mine too.  And is not a luminova relume, as expected the reactive light reduces within 30 mins in the dark (meaning old tritium).  In most of those pictures shown here that is also evident.

Best wishes
Franco

JLC did make a mistake.
They had 2 options in solving the problem: They could hold up delivery of all Polaris until a new batch of "good" dials is available. A consequence of this would be that you would know nothing about the mistake and a few more months of waiting.

On the other hand, they could deliver the watches on time for X-mass and keep all of us happy, while at the same time admitting a mistake (quite honorable) and as a consecuence, if one wants the dial change it only means the same wait time as in the previous case.

What do you prefer?

If anyhow, you still have a problem with the watch, and it is not up to your expectations ... just pass on it. You will surely make someother Polaris lover a very happy camper!

Saludos,

Tony

The watch is beautiful and I'd take it either way.  At least, they are offering a re-dial for those who don't like the current dial.  There are much more important things in life to agonize over.

And, like I said elsewhere in this thread, at least JLC is offering a re-dial if you are not happy.

I think the dial and hands looks best with the same color - there would be no problem if the hands also was as dark as the "off color".

So...

Maby you can ask JLC to change the color of the hands instead of getting a new dial.....?!?

A decision has already been made and the hands are already produced with the same color Luminova.  If I was to guess, I'd say that the new dials are also in production.  So, if you want the same color Luminova on the hands and the dial, you'd have to let them re-dial the watch.

I am surprised that you are the first one to raise this!

To me, it's the hands that are the incorrect colour.

Anyway. were I really in the market for the Re-edition (as I'd need to get the original first), I'd take the without the so called "patina".

Or I'd be brave and relume the hands to match.

Anyway, I'm just glad they made such a desirable watch.

Yes, that's true and even with the new dial the colours will not match as promoted!

To give the watch this very special appearance with light yellow Luminova all over (that I would like best) the dial, bezel *and* the hands have to be changed !!

No question, I'm also glad they made such a desirable watch!

But I think there was a big chance to give the Tribute to Polaris an exeptional elegant look emphasized by top-quality Luminova in a consistent beige colour tone.
It's sad to say but this chance seems to be gone already...!

Why wasn't it simply produced exactly the way it was shown on the announcement picture?

Regards

let them do that, and wait......patience can pay off

your continued rant is rather unpleasant

If you are not happy let the watch go to the next person

If you're not happy with, don't go on this not exceptional watch , your money would certainly go on much better watches, and we'll stay between us, passionate and incult watch lovers.

You know, we are all ignorant about watches, here, and we all were waiting for the Teacher, or the Master to show us the Road ...

Then you came...from nowhere...

No one knows you, and you start bashing...Without having seen in the flesh a watch other ( of course incult and stupid ) guys already received...and who are happy with.

So we all heard ( in case us, incult people about watches are def ), what you're saying.

Amen.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-12-07 22:04:56 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-12-07 22:20:10

Again a very weak posting from your side!

Nicolas, I know very well that I don't have to take the watch if I'm not happy with it.

By the way: Isn't it an embarrassing arrogance to tell me this 10 times a day?

I'm not bashing the Polaris! - Decent criticism must be allowed!

As I said before I am not a dealer! I ordered this watch to keep it a lifetime!

Is it too impudent to expect a delivery exactly as promoted???

I am a free person and this is my true opinion!

If you don't have good arguments or good answers on this subject just don't post and enjoy the silence!

Regards

Everybody here told you ( me include ) that JLC will replace for free the orange non matching dial for the normal one.

Once again, I don't see the problem as you will get the dial you waited for.

You're perfectly right to have another opinion on this matter, but you're totally wrong to create a problem which doesn't exist.

So arrogance is on your side...

Aaah I forgot, I know nothing and you know all...

Have a good day, Master.

Best.

Nicolas

. . . and tolerated on The PuristS / PuristSPro forums; it is your approach and manner that is drawing the ire of our respected JLC forum moderator. Even granting the benefit of your unfamiliarity with the English language, my sense is that the opinions you're trying to convey could have been relayed with a greater level of gentility. Amongst gentlemen, humbleness is a virtue. I sincerely feel that an apology from you is in order . . . please remember that you are a guest, and that Nicolas is your host. Cordially, Art