Half a century is a long time – that’s how long Swiss luxury brand Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Memovox timepiece has been in existence. To mark it’s 50th anniversary, the brand has released a new limited edition version. Baroque Access finds out all the details
Those who were fortunate enough to attend the SIHH watch fair in Geneva would have had the opportunity to view the brand new Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Polaris timepiece in all its glory. It received much attention and was lauded as being a worthy tribute to the brand’s iconic timepiece that has stood the test of time (literally!) for the past 50 years.
The luxury Swiss watchmaker’s new iteration is reminiscent of the original Polaris edition, which was created in 1968. In every way this watch is a tribute to the original and worthy of an anniversary collection. The stainless steel case is 42mm, home to an automatic alarm movement that is tucked away beneath a deep black dial with white markers that offer a touch of vintage chic. While staying true to the original, it’s a sturdy, modern timepiece that retains all of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature cachet.
The new Polaris comes in a limited edition of only 1,000 pieces and boasts its predecessors’ classic three-crown set-up, alarm function and inner rotating bezel. It is extremely good looking, and to add to its exclusivity, the new timepieces’ calibre 956 movements are being assembled in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s complications workshop to ensure that they are of the highest standard.
The watch dial is black, with grained, sunray and opaline finishes, and the numbers on the dial are applied Arabic numerals. The strap is made of contemporary black rubber with a Clous de Paris pattern and a steel-folding buckle. This is in keeping with the athletic spirit of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris collection.
The watches are water resistant to 200 meters, have 23 jewels and a power reserve of 44 hours. The case-back of this exclusive limited edition watch is closed to provide support for the hammer of the alarm mechanism. There are two engravings on the case-back – a stylized diving helmet that is reminiscent of the original model that had the same symbol engraved inside the watch case and an inscription, ‘50th anniversary’, that commemorates the date the Memovox Polaris timepiece was created in 1968.
This exclusive timepiece is equipped with useful everyday functions that are all symptomatic of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s iconic alarm; this is indicated by a small triangle on a rotating disk in the center of the dial. When the wearer pulls the crown at 2 o’clock and turns it counter-clockwise, the disk is rotated and aligns the triangle with the required time. To wind the mechanism, the wearer must push back the crown and turn it clockwise.