Clavi
788
Magali's signature was 'form over function'
It is sad IMHO that the only JLC 'designer' that will be remembered is MM. Likely because she was a young blond person and was quite exposed in the communication as such (yes, I said it, and if you look at the comments from admirers back in the days, comments on her looks were more common than on any potential professional attributes). Her 'designs' borrowed elements from the past mixed with questionable modern takes, and ultimately resulted in watches where form took over function (mismatched hands of incorrect size pointing to incorrect, broken scales, useless 'open' indicators, I don't know where to start...).
As for the design of the original memovox and polaris, I don't think any external designer was involved (back in the late 1950's I don't think there was something like a 'freelance watch designer' job existing...), and so I think we should look more into the manufacture own resources and the technical designers team. If they can trace who the designer was, he deserves credits!
Also, on the design of the Polaris case, this is not a JLC design as it appeared previously in the exact same form on the Vulcain Cricket Nautical, so JLC bought this watch case design (and the case itself) from Piquerez and wasn't responsible for its design.
And yes, E855 and E859 dials are totally exchangeable (I once bought a regular memovox with an E859 dial affixed to it - though it was obviously some franckenwatch later combination certainly not assembled by the manufacture as such).
Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox E 855 Black and E 859 Polaris 1965. A side by side picture, and a question.
It's great to see them side-by-side and
Great comparison shots JLC Memovox 1967 vs Polaris 1965
I do not know all the tech in's and out's on these two but what I know: my wrist would be glad to grant them some space.
Hmm, there is a robust "family resemblance" with these two
Magali's signature was 'form over function'
Freelance watch designers were very common back then
Cricket nautical and Polaris 1965 aren't really different, and the Vulcain certainly sets the precedent
Both great watches & indeed some common DNA..You reminded me on my own E855 &..
The dials have the same dimensions ...
That claim seems to b e totally foolish IMHO
Well, the black dial for the E855 is just the same dial as the white E855... but in black
Not totally the same. Double indices at 9 and 6 o clock, no 6 and 9 applied hour markers, and I didn't pay attention to the black E 855 With the applied 12!
DIal of black and white E855 are the same, and they predate the 1965 Polaris