Hands-on the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition

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Jaeger-LeCoultre presented in August a new addition in the Polaris Collection – the Polaris Date Limited Edition with a special blue double-gradient dial. The new timepiece with a hand-lacquered dial conquered my hearth. I decided in the last moment to visit the Salon Exceptional Watches in Prague (SEW Prague), knowing that this watch will be there, among other pieces I wanted to see. There I was able to have a look at the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition and take some pictures. Here are my thoughts.

Review Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition

With the occasion of the 76th Venice International Film Festival of la Biennale di Venezia, Jaeger-LeCoultre as the main sponsor presented a series of wonderful pieces. To name a few: Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon, Rendez-Vous Celestial, Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Céleste and today’s focused piece, the Polaris Date. A series of stars shone on the red carpet, wearing Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces: Amanda Seyfried, Nicholas Hoult and others.

But leaving aside the seventh art and its ambassadors, Jaeger-LeCoultre did a magnificent work with the new Polaris Date. Let’s start with a live wrist-roll from SEW Prague:

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition will be produced in a series of only 800 pieces. Since the new gradient dial is a stunner, I suppose that the new watch is only a glimpse of what the next SIHH/W&W will bring.

Unfortunately, the lighting conditions were not even by far ideal for watch photography and I apologies for the poor image quality. The green tint is caused by the show’s ambient lights.

Polaris Steel Case

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition Reference Q9068681 presents no differences on the case side to the 2018′ launched Polaris Collection. The 42mm stainless steel case presents the same sporty combination of brushed and polished surfaces. The straight vertical polish is present on the entire case and lugs. The exception is made on the elegant chamfered and polished lugs’ edges, polished bezel and polished back.

The caseback is decorated SCUBA diving insignia and the usual engravings. The Jaeger-LeCoultre 1000 hours master control is also signalised on the caseback. The sports watch is rated at 200m / 20bar, also noted on the caseback.

The photographed piece was protected by a transparent protective vinyl layer and the exact finish is partly hidden by it.

Double gradient dial

I always had the Polaris Collection close to my heart. I was excited at the 2018′ new launch of the collection. I never felt that something was missing in the Polaris collection, but now with the new piece, I consider it more complete. The new gradient dial fits perfectly the Polaris’ look.

The sunray brushed and hand-lacquered centre is eye arresting. Equally beautiful is the chapter ring with applied hour indexes and printed minutes/seconds rail track. The hammered finish with a blue gradient increase the charm of the Polaris’ face.

The date aperture can be found at 3 o’clock. The black print on a white background is highly visible with excellent legibility. It is a bit away from the watch’s blue theme, but I have no other suggestion on how it could be done more pleasing.

It is nice that Jaeger-LeCoultre kept the brand’s name print exactly under the 12 o’clock hour index and the “Automatic” print just above the 6 o’clock index. It keeps the central disc free of markings and the overall look clean. The hands and the indexes are generously filled with a vintage-looking SuperLuminova.

The inner bezel is decorated with printed indexes. The bezel can be rotated using one of the two crowns.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 899A/1

The Polaris Date is powered by the same movement as the other date pieces from the collection – Calibre 899A/1. Even if this one is not visible on the back of the watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre uses the same exceptional finishes as on any other of their movements. That includes the skeletonised rotor with the brand’s logo. The movement consists of 219 components. The 38 hours power reserve movement uses a 4Hz balance wheel. Of course, the movement needs to pass the tests of the 1000 hours Master Control.

Final considerations

I consider the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Limited Edition the most spectacular piece in the collection. The gradient dial is amazing. On the other side, the sportive characteristics propose the Polaris as a daily wrist companion prepared for everything. I wonder if Jaeger-LeCoultre will leave the comfortable black and blue dial combinations and will dare us with some other colours.

The watch feels good on the wrist and not as heavy as expected from a 42mm piece. The blue rubber strap is also a good looking detail that fits well in the scene. The folding clasp sits comfortably on the back of the wrist, offering a fast open/close process.