Jaeger-LeCoultre

I fell on a pic which inspired me this post.

3 Polaris with 2 Amvox.



The inspiration is obvious.

Of course we have the same diameter, and quite the same thickness if we compare the Polaris and the Amvox I, as the Amvox I was presented as an Hommage ot the Polaris.

But the inspiration is also evident when you look at the Amvox II, which is 2 mm bigger in size, and a few more mm thicker, too.

The shape of the case and of the lugs are very close,

So are the case back, too:



And what to say about the dials?

Not look a like, but very inspired, don't you think?



Here a decent macro of the Amvox I:



If the Amvox I and the Polaris are Alarm Watches, the Amvox II is deeply different, as it is a Chrono, not an Alarm watch.



But even in its case, you have some common points:

An internal ring, which is not corresponding to an Alarm function, as, once again, the Amvox II doesn't have an Alarm Complication, but it was used as an esthetical code.



An internal bezel, which doesn't turn, but, as for the internal ring, it was used as a link to the family.





Same observations with the Amvox III:





Not only the dial, but also the hands do have something in common:

Have a look on this special Polaris which was one of the latest produced, for the Italian market...



Seems that this controversial version was used by JLC as an inspiration for the minute hand of the Amvox I and II, and for the Hour hand of the Amvox III.

Same close look if you consider the Master Compressor Memovox...



Here, the painted numbers and indexes have the same shape than on the Polaris 68, but the hands of the MC Memovox are close to those used on the Polaris 65.

And what to say about the latest Navy SEALs Alarm?:



Same Triangular Indexes, same Alarm Indexes and plain dots, Numbers inspired from the Polaris, even if bigger.



When the design and the History meet...

Funny, and interesting.

You can find quite a lot of other examples in the JLC History...

Among them, the first Reversos, with the more modern ones, with the GT case.

Or the Memovox E 855 Black dial with the more recent Master Memovox, and so on...

Even other brands are linked to their past, as PP with some Calatravas or World Time, VC with the Chronos, AP with the Royal Oaks, etc...

Most often, this link is a good thing, don't you think?

Looking forward to your views,

Best.

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-06-08 23:11:56

This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-06-14 05:50:00

Yes, this is a nice way.
Step by step, similar design, 100% tradition.

And yes, it may be called..;Tradition.

Thanks, my friend.

Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-06-10 08:10:02

...that is apparent in the watches you've highlighted.  There's a thoughtfulness to the choices JLC has made with the Polaris and Amvox in particular that I appreciate.  They've kept the DNA of the vintage Polaris and reinterpreted it for our modern sensibilities in terms of materials, as an example.  Overall, IMO these are just a great collection of watches!  The only outlier for me is the Amvox III.  Somehow, it just doesn't strike my fancy the way all the other watches you've pictured do.

Thanks for the great write-up as always!

Cheers,
Daos

When you respect your roots, when there is no cheating, things are simple...They are excellent!

You can't go wrong with such a golden rule.

As for the Amvox III, I wouldn't be so severe.

I saw it in the flesh for more than ten times, now, and the association of the classic sophisitication ( complication? ) of a Tourbillon and a modern, almost sports look is not unpleasant at all.

The Amvox III is, at the contrary of the Byblos ( Extrem Tourbillon ) a well born, and well thought watch.

But colors ansd tastes are very subjective, I agree.

Thanks for your input, sister!

Best,

Nicolas

and agree with Nicolas.
Very nice sport watch.
But, as Nicolas also said taste is very subjective
Cheers

...the Amvox III is a handsome watch, but for my taste I prefer the individual components to the whole of the watch.  Separately, I enjoy the openworked dial with its grid motif that serves to reinforce the car tie-in, and I like the GMT, AM/PM, and calendar functions, as well.  The tourbillon also has a great structure and flair to it.  However, all the components together don't present as strong and purposeful an experience to me as the dial on the Amvox II (both the regular chrono and DBS), for instance.  I actually like the Amvox III better from the back.  I am probably alone in my feelings on this one! 

Cheers,

Daos 

I don't think you're alone to think what you think on this Amvox III.

When I posted several threads on this watch, I didn't feel the same enthusiasm for the A III, than for the A I or II.

But I also think that there is a big gap in price between the I, II and the III, and that it also has disturbed the owners of the I and II who can't afford the III.

Best,

Nicolas

I agree that the III is less appealing than the I & II  (despite being more expensive).

Also, I see a big functional flaw due to design.
Tourbillon watches are in theory meant to be accurate timepieces  (i.e. chronometric timepieces). However, the 'open dial' around the tourbillon has no form of indexes against which the watch can be timed / monitored  (the second hand / tourbillon becomes merely an indicator of the watch running, but has lost its role as a good indicator of the current second).
I know that this line is more a design exercise than anything else, and that there are other toubillon and non-tourbillon watches that do indicate the running second properly, but still I think that every watch  (appart from the jewellery lines) should be designed with functionnality / leggibility in mind first, and this is obviously not the case for the III  

I have also noted that JLC in many cases now designs second hands which don't reach the second indexes  (the NSA which is pictured in the thread is a good example of this), and this is also in my opinion a design flaw  (a flaw which has started with the the first master compressor memovox watch).

If we look at watches from the past (and the Geomatic / Geophysic and Polaris of the threads below are good examples), we see that these round watches used to have second hands reaching the seconds indexes.
I think that even if new dials layouts can be very creative, when functionality is lost to pure 'design' there is something a bit wrong.
OK, I might be the only one to notice this small things but this does bother me  (same as the lack of luminous indexes in the '65 reissue    )

to have noticed this "shortcoming."  I have noticed it, too. Your point especially about the tourbillon is well taken. 

It is not such a big deal to me if the seconds hand comes close enough to the to the seconds track without "touching" it, just so long as one can clearly read the exact time.  There are a few JLCs in which the seconds hand (and even the minutes or hours hands) do not extend as far as perhaps they might for easy and clear time determination, and I agree that does detract from the main function of the watch.   

respo

whereas it is the shorter hour hand in A1 and A2. Don't understand the logic of the change and appears anomalty to me.

get you wrong as taste is subjective and there is no right or wrong in questions of taste.

Moreover I agree with you and prefer the AMVOX II DBS and that the back of AMVOX III is outstanding- the black rotor is truly well designed

Cheers

good design does not age, IMHO.

seing this serie of pictures I can only dream of an Amvox 2 with the ceramic case of the amvox 3. Mister JLC, please...

I had a bad movement in the AD when I said "wow, you've got a new Tribute to Polaris" and he answered: "no, it's just an Amvox alarm"

That is a great compliment for each of these watches.

The Amvox I compliments, IMO, the Polaris, and vice versa.

Put them side by side, and you will check this theory very easily.

Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-06-10 08:19:10

my pants are wet and not from Travarica
LOL
Great pic
what a line up
maybe RI in middle just to put some "lizard" colors in shades of grey ;0)
All the best
Damian

I prefer to warn you, my good friend...

Stay away from the Travarica Bottle...Well, till I come to see you.



Best,

Nicolas

is what I fear it might be
then it will be plenty to drink for :0))
&
no warning is strong enough for that ONE ;0)
Best
Damian

I fear I have 2 Surprises for you...



Best,

Nicolas

Excellent post, Nicolas.  It is so interesting to see the alarms lined up in a row like that.  I love the macros of the AMVOXi and the new Navy Seal. Just look at that dial on the AMVOX2 for instance.  The details and layers are outstanding.

The special Italian Polaris -- is that vintage or a re-issue? It looks to be in mint condition.  I like the minute hand with the arrowed tip, as you noted, in common with the AMVOXi and the NSA. If it is a vintage Polaris, is that where the arrowed minute hand originated for these alarms? The loss of that arrowed minute hand in he latest editions of the A2 DBS is a big omission, IMHO, for the very reason that these photos illustrate.

BY the way, what is the inner ring on the AMVOXi called, the one with the "30"s on it? Is there an official term for it?

In any case, it is always fascinating to observe the common design elements that help to make up the brand's DNA, as you call it, present among watches and across watch lines within the brand from the same generation and even more interesting when you can trace back decades and still find some of these key design elements.  It is a way of preserving the history of the brand and gives the modern day watches greater integrity.

Thanks for posting these wonderful comparative photos.

respo

Between Past and Present.

As for yoyur questions:

1/ THe Italian Polaris is supposed to be a Vintage, according to the Team of the Heritage Gallery.

It was a very short batch of watches limited to the Italian Market.

But there also were some other Vintage watches which had an arrow minute hand, like a Jaeger Diving watch, for example, whose shape was very close to the one of the N.S.A to come soon.

As for the inner ring of the A II, it is only a decorative element, not a functionnal one.

To make another link between the Amvox I, the Polaris, and this watch.

I can't agree more with you on the fact that preserving the history of the brand as JLC does it with these modern watches is really a great thing, a nice find!

Best, and thanks for your input, Respo!

Best,

Nicolas

Thank you Nicolas for another interesting walk through JLC history and heritage. Prior to last Saturday I would look at your photos of the Pola family, past, present and future, with longing and anticipation. I now look at them with the satisfaction that owning one brings. I believe I appreciate the photos even more now as I look at them and then to my wrist. You were right the Polaris is a "wrist vampire." It won't allow me to take it off!

N 

To be proud of the watch we own, to feel, understand, and fully appreciate its own value.

I love that idea...This Reality.

Best,

Nicolas

What great pictures you take.... makes us think twice about posting pictures (well maybe not lol)
You have a talent my friend!
As far as a line up- what a great collection, very similar but different at the same time.

I, as you know prefer the AmvoxII. I wish that the Polaris would be 44mm, mainly due to the thickness of the watch.
Also, I prefer the italian version, the hands add to the icon of the watch imo.
And I am certain that the Memovox will come back!
Cheers

As I strongly consider it as a Cult Watch, from JLC.

A bit likek the Calatrava for Patek.

And I'm quite sure that JLC will re release it in a short future.

It is unvadoidable, to me.

Thanks for the nice words, my friend, but I'm lucky enough to have a nice camera.

Best,

Nicolas

I'd have to say, that besides my MCDC, you chose my fav. JLC's here. Esp. love the Amvox series...
B well my friend,
Matrix.

Tradition and modernity at its best!

Thanks for the nice comments, Matrix!

Best,

Nicolas

They probably are laughing their eyes out know. Changing a little bit of this and a little bit of that; same movement, oh well slightly modified; make the price a lot higher, some limited editions and another cash cow is born.

LOL just kidding. I really like evolution over revolution, and it's always nice to see familiar design in different watches. Quite daring what they did with the Amvox. Still the Amvox I is my favorite Amvox but it can't beat the Polaris IMO. I do like form to follow function so I don't really dig the inner ring on the Amvox II, because now it's just a design thing. But I'm probably being picky now.

Best,

Starman

It even gives some legitimity to the modern watches.

Without speaking of Beauty and strengh of course!

I wouldn't make an opposition between the Amvox I and the Polaris.

I previously wrote it, to me, these 2 watches compliment each other.

They enhance their own beauty and ..Interest.

Best!

Nicolas