SIHH 2018: Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Automatique, The Review.
amanico
Is the Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Automatique THE new sports watch par excellence?
For me, this is the new daily beater by Jaeger Lecoultre, refined, sober, cool, sporty. The watch you will be able to wear in any circumstances, like a Rolex Submariner or, better, Explorer, at the office, in the mountains or at the sea.
When I first saw it in September, past year, I was a bit dubitative.
I am more convinced now that I could have a deeper look at this watch.
First of all, the case is very well made, and 41 mm doesn't look that big. I even thought it was a bit smaller ( 40 mm ).
Polished on the bezel and the sides case, the rest is brushed. The contrast is eye catching, enhanced by these generous bevels.
With a 11, 2 mm height, I would even say that these proportions are the best for the Polaris case, which is a discrete watch, what was maybe the point which disturbed me at first sight.
The dial is worth some serious attention: When I see these 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 applied hour markers, filled with Superluminova, I couldn't help thinking about the Rolex Explorer. Remove the " 12 ", and there is a certain air de famille.
BUT... The long trapezoidal indices, and most of all, the finishing of the dial, sun ray for the center, grained for the outer part of the dial, without forgetting the opaline inner bezel achieve to convince that this Polaris Automatique ( in french, this is more chic, probably ) has its own character and personality, made of refinement, somehow, and strength.
The movement is the Cal 898 you have in the Tribute To Geophysic. It is an automatic movement, beating at 28, 800 alternances per hour, made of 195 parts, and offering a power reserve of 43 hours. It is 26 mm big and 3, 3 mm high.
The novelty about this movement? As for the Cal 751 and 752 housed in the Polaris Chronograph and Polaris Chronograph World Time, it receives a new designed rotor, made of Tungsten.
Cal 898:
To be complete with this introduction, the glass is a sapphire, slightly domed.
The good thing is that you have the choice between:
- The Calf strap,
- The Alligator strap,
- The new steel bracelet,
- Black or Blue dial. For the blue, the calf and the steel bracelet are available, the alligator is an option for the black dial only.
Blue Polaris... There was one in the early Seventies... The E 870, Polaris II.
So you can make your own Polaris Automatique.
The other good thing is that this watch is reasonably priced: 6700 Euros for the Black or Blue on Calf, 6850 for the Black on alligator, and 7600 Euros for the Black or Blue on steel bracelet.
Once you understand and admit that Polaris is not associated with a Memovox function anymore, as it was the case till this year, you can judge it more objectively.
Once you make this effort, you can appreciate this watch, for what it is. A sports watch, a sport chic daily beater.
My favorite version of this Polaris Automatique?
I would say Blue with steel bracelet. This bracelet is, finally, nice looking, and adds to the sporty character of this watch.
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas
Comments:
jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) February 1st, 2018-03:54
Nice review Nico ! i am warming up to these ! Esp be blue dial (with the brown calf strap !!) the bracelet looks very well made too and also looks handsome . Can’t wait to see them in the metal in Singapore ! Cheers Robin
amanico February 1st, 2018-07:49
Let us know, please, when you see them in Sg. They feel much better in the real than on pictures.
Tim_M February 1st, 2018-04:00
Excellent overview Thank you for this photo study and your insights. You go to great lengths to give us full information, and these posts live as useful references forever.I have to admit that I'm not in love with the new collection (lacking ambition and innovation), but th...
amanico February 1st, 2018-07:51
Audace may come later. I am looking forward to seeing some exciting developments, indeed. But as an introduction, it is not a bad one.
Sebi February 1st, 2018-08:41
its indeed a fairly strong introduction, just like your review!
Sebi February 1st, 2018-15:19
indeed, but i need to see the daylight first, for the pictures 😇
nafetS February 1st, 2018-04:34
Excellent Review. Thank you. Comparing the blue dial geophysic Limited Edition and the blue dial Polaris Automatic, which one would bei your favorite?
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