Jaeger-LeCoultre

Just wanted to post a review of the Polaris 65 boutique edition, now that I have had time to wear it for a few months...

First off, when i was first made aware of the Polaris ( thanks Yves & Asi )..I was looking to expand my collection and wanted to add a piece from JLC in general and had not decided on anything specific. I was looking for a unique piece that clearly said JLC so they immediately made me aware of the Polaris and its history. With the help of Milan and Nicholas i was drawn deeper into JLC both distant past, recent past and present. After spending some time with all of this and looking at my collection as it stood at the time i felt like the Polaris was going to be the choice for me. Picking between the 65 & 68 was actually not that difficult as i wanted to add a watch that encompassed many facets of the brand and still meet my needs and desires as a collector.

I did not want to add another endices heavy watch as i already have a few heavy t dial military/tool style watches from other brands. I also felt that understated elegance, along with the case style, size and alarm function really said JLC in a concise and clear manner. When i found out that they would be silvering up the inner bezel #s and endices i knew i had made the right choice.....i'd hoped...as i had never had the benefit of actually seeing an original 65 in the flesh .......one never really knows...

When i was notified that the watch was ready to send i was actually pretty excited but also not really sure what i was expecting...upon opening the box i was actually really disappointed.....the watch had come loose from its bed and the crystal was floating loose inside...so my first initial drama filled box opening was not to be...we all know that first moment is pretty important...but i picked up the watch and heard what i like to now call "Le Cricket"....now upon hearing this curious noise i was a bit unsure and thought that there might have been some damage to the movement in shipping...I have still not put on the watch...a few quick emails and i was assured that this was a normal sound from this movement.....i thought it odd as the JLC movements i had been around where for the most part silent...

So understanding that my very first concerns out of the box where possible damage and the movement issue i had still not really looked at the watch...Now it was time for this...I have a bit of a ritual with my new aquisitions as i usually sit with the watch in its case and "watch" the watch be....It is my tme to get a feel for the timepiece not on my wrist or in my hand but just sitting in its own space...does it tell me anything, do i feel connected in any way to this new ticking living piece...if so i will pick it up and hold the piece, feel the weight, inspect the curves and lines and view through a loop to get a feel for quality of workmanship. In this case i picked up the watch and did just that. I put the watch on my wrist and just again "watched" the watch...I really liked the lines and look of the dial, i wrote a quick Wow post...knowing that i would need to be with the timepiece for a while before i really knew...Having said all of that...here is my review

I was a bit surprised at the wrist presence of the watch, I had not expected the watch to wear so big on the wrist but it became clear that the inner bezel and very thin outer dial around the crystal work very well visually. the silver endices, #'s and date boarder are perfect for theis watch and actually very visible in all types of light which was a bit of a surprise as i was a bit aprehensive of this. the inner dial face in every light and anlge has a lighter almost grey color and I love it very much. The understed alarm arrow and the inner white lettering is the perfect font and size. The only thing i might have done is center the Jeager name between the 12 alarm dot and the #12 as it does crowd the alarm markers a bit. The adustable inner bezel has a very nice drag to it when you turn it and feels subtantial for such an elegant presentation.

The Dauphne hands are perfect and i cannot see that another logical choice could have been made. There is no Lume to speak of here and you will not be able to read this watch in the dark etc...not a problem for me. The watch is lighter than i would have guessed but i for one appreciate the weight drop after wearing heavier watches quite often. The alarm...ahhh the alarm...for someone like me that has never...NEVER....required or used an alram for anything...i find myself finding reason to set and hear it...I never wind it fully...usually about 10-12 turns as this short tone from the watch is enough to let me hear the sound but not long enough to make a big deal about it....The back side of the watch is understated and i might have made the diving helmet etc a bit bigger for no other reason than it would not have taken away from the caseback. The strap itself i was actually also a bit surprised at in that i generally do not like busy straps especially punched full of holes but in this case it works...i could see some other options as well but for the OEM strap issued with the watch its a good choice. I would have like to see the buckle have a bit more but not much more to it and i think it might have been nice to include a JLC logo on it...

The limited edition is a true bonus for me and something i look for in my pieces so i appreciate this aspect very much. I anticipate Le Cricket and upon hearing it...i smile inside...

Sounds a bit corny but this watch is truly alive to me...

Regards

Mark

 

... since i wear my 65 about 3 days; you gave me a very good insight how you feel after wearing this beauty for 3 month. Happy to hear that you are still a proud Polaristi.. Thank you for this great review! Regards, Herb

Herb, i expect to enjoy this one for some time....

Mark

Well, I didn't have doubts about the fact that this watch would please you!



It has a very particular look, with its huge domed plexy, and these 3 crowns with the gridwork motif.

A lovely personnality, too, between a tool and a dressy watch.

I'm so happy to know that you enjoy it so much, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas

to mention both points...this is my first Plexi, and domed to be sure. I really love it. The 3 crowns funny enough do not look out of place here either.

From a historical perpective the watch is probably as close to the original as possible. What i find refreshing is that regardless of the history this watch stands on its own as a well designed, well made and elegant timepiece.

Just the complete package all around..

Cheers

Mark

I have had by boutique edition for 3 months as well and it is a very tough watch to put in the drawer (or on the winder in this case). I almost literally hear it calling to me sometimes. Your post captured the emotions of owning it perfectly. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Rgds,

Zemar

and that you appreciate the uniqueness of this watch. It is not your regular JLC and indeed has a dominant presence on the wrist. I ended up with both 65 and 68 versions, but I agree that the 65 is the special one of the two.

 

Cheers,

Asi

hi mark,

thnks so much for sharing your experience. nice words, impressions, and doubt!
wearing your '65 would change something in perception of your other watches.
in my case, with the platinum version, it's so difficult to wear an other one...
best. olivier

Can you or somebody else share some light on this "cricket" noise that you describe? Is it because of the winding rotor or the gong? Does the sound appear when you are doing a specific motion?

As I have understood the same sound is present on the new Navy Seal Alarm as well (same calibre)?

Thank you for the review!

Rick