SIHH 2018: Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date OR Polaris Memovox?
amanico
I discussed with many people at the SIHH and virtually, and while I thought that the Polaris Memovox was a clear winner, I was surprised to hear that the victory of the Memovox was not so large.
Yes, the Polaris Memovox is still a winner, in this " frontal game ", but there are quite a lot of people whose heart drive them to choose the Date.
The players.
The Polaris Date, on the left, versus the Polaris Memovox, on the right:
As you can see, the look is very close, with the same dial and bezel finishings: sunray on the center, grained on the outer part, opaline for the inner bezel, plus the vanilla colored trapezoidal indices and hands.
The case back is solid in both watches, with the same " Super Compressor " logo engraved on it.
Both have a sapphire domed glass.
There are two things you can easily notice, the absence of the legendary alarm triangle and the missing third crown at 3 o clock on the " Date ". Which is easily explainable, as the missing crown is due to the lack of alarm on the " Date ".
So the crown which operates the turning inner bezel is now located at 2 o' clock on the date, instead at 3 o' clock on the Memovox.
The case is the same for both watches, with an identical size ( 42 mm ), but a different thickness, 13, 1 mm for the Date, 15, 95 mm for the Memovox.
Live picture of the Date:
And of the Memovox:
The movements are, of course, different: Cal 899/1 for the " Date ", Cal 956 for the Memovox. No alarm and 38 hours power reserve for the first, alarm and 44 hours power reserve for the second, both being automatic and beating at 28, 800 alternances per hour.
The Cal 899/1:
The Cal 956:
The rubber strap is the same for both, but the " Date " can also be bought with the now famous steel bracelet, which is not the case for the Memovox, even if I think Jaeger Lecoultre won't refuse to sell you the steel bracelet if you prefer the Memovox.
Those who prefer the " Date " told me that they found it purer than the Memovox. Maybe because of the absence of disc, and the two crowns instead of three.
There are two points which are counting a lot, for me:
The important difference of thickness, in favor of the " Date ", and the retail, 7700 Euros for the Date with rubber strap, 8600 Euros for the Date with the steel Bracelet, while the Memovox is 12, 800 Euros.
About the thickness, on the paper there is a major difference, in the real, I had hard time feeling the Memovox was so big.
The Polaris Date:
The Polaris Memovox:
Now, there is the historical point of view. For me, the Polaris Memovox is the winner, because I cannot see a Polaris without an alarm.
But having the choice can never be seen as a problem!
What about you?
Best,
Nicolas
Comments:
Tim_M February 19th, 2018-04:19
Easily the Memovox I cannot believe that anyone would complain about the extra crown and dial details associated with the alarm - on a JLC Polaris, no less! That is like complaining about pushers and sub-dials on a Speedmaster Pro or the presence of a dive bezel on a Submar...
amanico February 19th, 2018-05:00
I totally share you point, Tim. Thanks for your feedback.
agyzace February 19th, 2018-09:07
Thanks for creating such cool posts with lots of pics and info, my dear Nicolas
amanico February 19th, 2018-09:38
It is a great pleasure to share them, Alex. Thanks again for your kind words.
MTF February 19th, 2018-04:26
Moving Forward amanico, Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date I understand the nostalgia of the "Memovox' but the Jaeger Lecoultre Polaris Date wins for all the reasons that you proffered. As we always have to move forward rather than vacillate in the past, the 'Date' model giv...
crown comfort February 19th, 2018-05:02
and worse, they tell the time too :( No message body
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