Jaeger-LeCoultre enhances the Polaris Chronograph with two distinct dials that showcase the artisanal prowess of the grande Maison. Bringing together 180 different skills under one roof, this manufacture has the capacity to produce all its luxury watches in their entirety, from design to production.
Featuring lacquered surfaces in rich tones – one in deep blue and the other in warm gray, a new addition to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s collection – these dials are a sight to behold. Intricately designed, they consist of a central disc, a middle ring adorned with hour markers, and an outer ring featuring the seconds scale.
The color of the lacquer on both the central disc and the part for the hour ring transitions from light to dark, creating visual depth. The lacquering is a meticulous and time-consuming process, with each layer of coating applied by hand. It begins with a clear varnish coat, followed by a layer of color. The challenge lies in controlling both the hue and gradient to ensure coherence between the two sections. This is followed by 35 layers of translucent lacquer to add depth and richness. The components are then polished to achieve a bright mirror finish.
The circular graining of the sub-dials – the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and the small seconds at 9 o’clock – contrasts with the high gloss of the lacquered surfaces and the opaline finish of the outer ring. In line with the Polaris design codes, bold trapezoid-shaped indexes complement the panda-dial layout. Luminescent coating on the indexes, numerals, and hand tips improves legibility under various lighting conditions.
The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the automatic movement, calibre 761, an offspring of the previous caliber 751. Powered by twin barrels, the fully integrated chronograph movement features a column-wheel chronograph mechanism with vertical clutch and offers a 65-hour power reserve. In contrast to its predecessor, it allows for a central chronograph seconds hand and displays the running seconds via a sub-dial at 9 o’clock.
The fine finishing includes blued screws and Côtes de Genève decoration on the baseplate as well as on the signature open-worked winding rotor bearing the ‘JL’ motif. The movement was designed, produced, finished and assembled within its own Manufacture at Le Sentier, in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux.
Each new Polaris Chrongraph is accompanied by a package of two straps: the blue dial execution is complemented by a steel bracelet and a blue rubber strap textured with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern, while the dynamic styling of the grey dial model is complemented by a beige canvas strap and a similarly textured black rubber strap.
Pricing for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph with a gray dial is marked at $14,300. The variant with a blue dial retails for $14,800.
To learn more, visit Jaeger-LeCoultre, here.
