Memovox Tribute to Polaris

Case material

Steel

Bracelet strap

Leather

Buckle

Pin buckle

Water resistance

200 m

Size

ø 42 mm

Movement

Self-winding mechanical

Functions

Date, Power reserve indicator, Alarm

Reference

Q 2008470

Launch date

2008

Collection

Memovox / 768-pieces limited series

Price excl. VAT

15’100 CHF

Description

Memovox Tribute to Polaris,renaissance of a legendary watch.For 175 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been tirelessly inventing and discovering new technicaland aesthetic horizons, thus renewing the grand Swiss watchmaking traditions. Bothreflecting and perpetuating this vocation, the Memovox Polaris represents an inexhaustiblesource of inspiration for the creative talents at work in the Manufacture. Regarded as theepitome of the sports watch for the past four decades, the Memovox is an extremely raretimepiece that is fiercely coveted by collectors. Its powerful design, dynamic form and blendof performance and energy continue to pervade all the Jaeger-LeCoultre sporting models tothis day: from the Master Compressor Memovox to the AMVOX, as well as the all-newMaster Compressor Diving watches. It was therefore high time for the Manufacture toexpress its gratitude to a watch that has become an icon. And what better tribute could itpay than by opting for faithful replicas equipped with the latest technical innovations inherentto Jaeger-LeCoultre's 21st century automatic movements?The two models that made the most lasting impact on their era were chosen for the 2008re-editions, presented under the title of Memovox Tribute to Polaris. The first correspondsto the original Memovox Polaris, as it was launched in 1965. The second is the most famousmodel of all, created in 1968.History of a legendAlmost half a century ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre had already left an indelible imprint on the historyof diving. The Memovox Deep Sea launched in 1959 was the very first diver's watch to be equipped with an alarm. The latter served to remind the diver that it was time to return to thesurface. It was driven by a Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 815, the first movement in watchmakinghistory to feature both automatic winding and an alarm function.Six years later, the Memovox Polaris was born. Representing a new breakthrough intechnological history, its triple-back case enabled optimal diffusion of sound under water. Sincewater resistance is the cornerstone of any diver's watch, the new model featured the patentedPiquerez Compressor system, as well as three super-sealed crowns.Powered by the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 825, with a balance performing 18,800vibrations per hour, the Memovox Polar also showed the date through a window at 3 o'clock.In harmony with the size of the case itself, the movement was remarkably large for a wristwatch:14 lignes, meaning 31.6 mm in diameter, and 7.6 mm thick. In order to meet the specificdemands of the American market, the first to show an interest, the Memovox was christenedPolaris after the famous American missiles symbolising the Western strike force during the ColdWar. But this name mostly echoed the adventurous spirit of the 1960s, distinguished by adetermination to travel ever faster and further, in an era when the public at large was fascinatedby the space race, ocean discoveries and polar exploration.Research work began on the Memovox Polaris in 1962, and 1,714 of these watches were madebetween 1965 and 1970. They were equipped with several types of dial and hands, accordingto the markets for which they were intended; today, the slightest variations of numerals, hourmarkersand signatures generates passionate interest among fervent contemporary collectors.In 2008, Jaeger-LeCoultre honours this legendary model by creating two Memovox Tribute toPolaris replicas. Each is a nod to one of the milestones in the history of this icon watch: the firstcorresponds to the original Memovox Polaris as launched in 1965; while the second is the mostfamous of them all, created in 1968.A 21st century watch that is faithful to the originalTo the delight of collectors and avid followers of the emblematic Polaris watch, the twoMemovox Tribute to Polaris models faithfully reproduce the 1965 and 1968 models, whilefeaturing their essential characteristics.First of all, the large round 42 mm-diameter case with polished finishing and no visible bezel,equipped with three crowns featuring a chequered motif. Just as when this model was firstintroduced, the watchmakers of the Manufacture have inserted the rotating bezel beneath thedial, with its famous central triangle serving as an index for dive times. To facilitate handling, thecase is equipped with a crown at 3 o'clock, framed by the two distinctive Memovox crowns.The one at 2 o'clock enables the user to adjust, wind and start or stop the alarm function,which has its own independent barrel. The other one at 4 o'clock services to set and wind themovement.The alarm time indicator is immediately recognisable by means of a luminescent triangle in thedial centre. Controlled by the alarm crown, the central disc turns to line up the triangle with thedesired alarm time.Loyal to the black dial of their predecessors, each replica bears its own signature features. The1965 re-edition has nickel-plated and polished straight hour-markers, Arabic numerals, Meanwhile, the main indications on the re-edition of the most famous 1968 model areluminescent. This star model is also distinguished by its openworked baton-type hands and itslarge trapeze-shaped hour-markers. On both versions, the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo at 12 o'clockembodies this reassuring presence that asserts its mastery over time.The sapphire crystal – a must in contemporary watchmaking – is exceptionally replaced onthese models by a synthetic material forming the original domed shape of the Polaris watch.Purists will certainly concur with this deliberate infringement of current industry rules.A new movement in the Memovox lineWhile the Memovox Tribute to Polaris watches are faithful to the spirit and aesthetics of theirforerunners, they nonetheless naturally deserved to be equipped with the latest technicalinnovations by Jaeger-LeCoultre, in order to meet modern demands for precision, sturdinessand reliability.As the latest interpretation of the automatic Memovox movement, the new Jaeger-LeCoultreCalibre 956 houses the striking mechanism, featuring a gong hanging at the back of the case,along with central seconds and instant-jump date-change system. Measuring 7.45 mm thick, itprovides a 45-hour power reserve and a level of precision guaranteed by 28,800 vibrations perhour. Its oscillating weight is equipped with ceramic ball-bearings that require no maintenance orlubrication.A double-back case guaranteeing water resistance to 200 metresThe historical Memovox Polaris was distinguished by its three-part case. The first element wasan inside back in bronze that enhanced the resonance of the alarm sound. The second was asealed back that protected the precious mechanism from any water seeping in, down to depthsof 200 metres. The last was a third back drilled with 16 holes, which prevented the sound beingmuffled by the watch being squeezed against its owner's diving suit.The back of the Memovox Tribute to Polaris models features an inner sealed back thatmaintains its role as a resonance chamber (an additional bronze back is no longer necessarywith a hanging gong), and an outer back with 16 round openings, secured to the waterresistanceback in harmony with the original design.The latter is adorned with an engraving inspired by the original ‘compressor' diving helmet and aset of technical information provided inside the case of the original model to symbolise itsexceptional watertightness.A tribute encompassing the smallest detailsThe Memovox Tribute to Polaris is available in two limited series equipped with a black leatherstrap and small pin buckle. The 1965 model is issued in a limited edition of 165 in 950 platinum;while the steel 1968 model comes in a limited edition of 768.The two replicas are accompanied by a presentation box inspired by its vintage equivalent,complete with a certificate of origin and a booklet telling the story of the now legendary watch.Jaeger-LeCoultre has revisited one of the landmarks in its history in order to train the spotlighton a creation embodying a degree of aesthetic and technical perfection that has consistentlyfired collectors' enthusiasm and inspired the designers of the Manufacture over the past fourdecades.