A Fresh Take in Ocean Gray: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s New Polaris Chronograph Makes a Splash
It’s that time of year again–the sun’s out, the sleeves are up, and the call of the sea is just a wrist-flick away. A perfect time to introduce a sporty-chic timepiece, highly water resistant and ready to track all outdoor activities. Jaeger-LeCoultre clearly agrees. Right in time for the summer season, the Grande Maison drops the Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey.
What truly sets this model apart is its striking new dial, which we know from the Polaris Geographic, Polaris Date and Polaris Perpetual Calendar unveiled last year. The Ocean Gray lacquer is rich, complex, and visually captivating. Built in three parts–a central disc, a middle ring with applied hour markers, and an outer ring bearing the tachymeter scale–the dial undergoes an elaborate lacquering process. It begins with a clear coat of varnish, followed by four layers of gray pigment, then a layer of black to create the gradient effect. Once the color is set, no fewer than 30 layers of translucent lacquer are applied by hand, adding exceptional depth and brilliance. The result is a vivid interplay of textures: sunray brushing on the central disc, smooth gloss on the hour ring, and a nuanced gradient that shifts from light to dark across the dial. Bright orange accents inject energy into the composition and underscore the chronograph’s sporty credentials.
Legibility and functionality remain paramount. The chronograph layout is clean and intuitive, with a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a small running seconds sub dial at 9 o’clock. The sub dials feature subtle circular graining that contrasts with the high-gloss finish of the central dial and the textured hour ring. Skeletonized hands and bold trapezoidal indexes with luminescent coatings complete the ensemble.
Inside the 42mm steel case, the Polaris Chronograph is powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 761, a fully integrated automatic chronograph movement developed and assembled entirely in-house at the brand’s Vallée de Joux manufacture. Featuring a column-wheel chronograph mechanism with a vertical clutch, the movement delivers a generous 65-hour power reserve, thanks to its twin-barrel architecture. Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the Caliber 761 is finely finished with Côtes de Genève stripes, blued screws, and a skeletonized rotor bearing the JL emblem.
Underscoring its versatility, the watch comes with two interchangeable straps: a black rubber option for active wear and a blue-gray canvas strap that adds a casual edge. Both attach via a quick-change system and are secured by an interchangeable folding buckle.
Pricing is marked at $14,900.
To learn more, visit Jaeger-LeCoultre, here.
