Not one to be content with simply updating an existing model line with a new dial, or an incremental movement upgrade, Jaeger Le-Coultre has announced two huge new additions to their famed Polaris line of sports watches.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date
Firstly, the Grande Maison introduces the all new Polaris Mariner date. Puling from an impressive library of historically significant dive watches, this new high-performance timepiece slots beautifully into the line. The Polaris Mariner date offers the standard dive watch functionality one would expect, hours, minutes and running seconds. Where the watch stands apart is with the striking design of the piece, the watch sporting a super compressor case style with two crowns, place at 10 and 4.
The upper crown is used to operate the inner rotating bezel, in order to accurately track dive times without the risk of knocking an external bezel traditionally seen on dive watches. The second, lower crown, is used for setting the time and date of the watch, connecting the wearer to the outstanding, and now upgraded, caliber 899. The new-generation movement powering the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date, is fitted with some technical improvements. One of which is the inclusion of an instantly jumping date, and a guaranteed power reserve of 70 hours.
Reference: Q9068180 
Reference: Q9068180
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox
This is the big hitter, the new JLC Polaris Mariner Memovox. A watch built to pay homage to the brands incredible chiming heritage. Since the introduction of the first Memovox model 70 years ago, JLC has been the standard in alarm watch manufacturing, producing some of the best striking watches in the world.
Significant changes have been made to the latest iteration of Memovox, specifically around the way the movement operates and is displayed. For the first time, the sporty Memovox will feature sapphire case back. Previously, a closed case back was required for these pieces as JLC affixed the gong to the case back itself. Now however, with the improved calibre 956, the brand is able to offer wearers the opportunity to see the works in action.
The open-worked heavy metal rotor ensures an unobstructed view of the strike-works, its Côtes de Genève decoration matching the fine finishing on the movement plates. One important element remains unchanged, however: the signature “school bell” sound of the alarm, which lends such charm to the Memovox.
The Polaris Mariner Memovox retains the signature three-crown configuration of the earliest Memovox diving watches. The top crown controls the alarm, turning the central disc of the dial so that the triangular pointer lines up with the desired alarm time; the central crown operates the inner dive bezel and the lowest crown sets the time.
Both watches introduced embody the spirit of the Polaris line, both featuring the signature blue gradient dial now synonymous with the range. The Polaris Mariner dials also remain true to the contemporary Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris aesthetic, comprising of three concentric circles finished in different textures and featuring bold trapezoid-shaped indexes and three Arabic numerals. The central disc of the dials is sunray-brushed, complementing the subtle graining of the middle ring and the opaline finish of the outer ring, which serves as the unidirectional rotating bezel.
The hands, indexes and numerals are filled with SuperLumiNova to ensure legibility in low light, a consumer expectation of any dive watch, let alone something as sophisticated as a Polaris. However, Jaeger-LeCoultre has gone a step further, maximising divers’ safety by using different colours to distinguish the hour and minute hands. The running seconds hand is tipped in orange for daylight visibility, with a central luminescent section to avoid any possibility of confusion with the other hands.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Date Specification:
Model Reference: Q9068180
Case Diameter: 42mm
Dial: Gradient blue dial, sunray, grained and opaline finish
Case: Stainless steel
Functions: Hours/minutes/seconds, date, unidirectional rotating inner bezel
Movement: Automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 899
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Water Resistance: 30 Bar
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox Specification:
Model Reference: Q9038180
Case Diameter: 42mm
Dial: Gradient blue dial, sunray, grained and opaline finish
Case: Stainless steel
Functions: Hours/minutes/seconds, date, alarm, unidirectional rotating inner bezel
Movement: Automatic mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 956
Power Reserve: 45 hours
Water Resistance: 30 Bar
