Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox Ref. E859 - Single Family Owned

The Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris is the most complicated way to solve a problem - and that is why we love it!

What is that problem? How do I know when I am going to run out of oxygen underwater! Decades before the Polaris, Jaeger LeCoultre has been producing its highly novel and unique alarm watch known as ‘The Memovox’. That model utilized and automatic winding in—house movement with a mechanical alarm function. At some point, this complication and design was thought to be married to a highly technical and robust diving watch that would be for the most serious of professionals. That watch, was the Polaris and its brother the Deep Sea Alarm.

Both of those watches are icons today, but The Polaris is the most interesting of the two as it married the Alarm Memovox, with the Technical SuperCompressor case and internal rotating dive bezel to create a truly innovating and unique watch sporting three crowns. The top crown controlled your inner bezel, the middle time, and the bottom the alarm. All housed under a massive plexi dome crystal. The idea being that you could use the alarm to physically (as the watch does vibrate) and visibly (as it would emit bubbles underwater) alert you when you would be running out of air on a dive.

Think about the technical prowess to build a waterproof dive watch with multiple inner rotating discs, operated by THREE crowns, and has a resonator case back… FULL OF HOLES! It's large size (by the standards of the time) lends for a perfect modern wearing experience and has become an icon of the JLC historical canon.

The example that we have here comes to us from the family of the original owner, whom was in fact, a diver! The case, crystal, and dial shows signs of real use and wear, while remaining well preserved given the life it has lived. The case is very likely unpolished and shows honest wear, as does the crystal which is likely original to the watch. Even all three of the original and correct 'hashed' crowns remain. Inside, the dial is nicely preserved, with evenly patinated Tritium elements and some light surface patina.

And then of course, there is the wildly cool and incredibly useful alarm function. The center section of the dial actually rotates counter-clockwise via the crown at the 2 o'clock position, and features an indicator in the form of Tritium triangle. Being a diver, it of course also features a rotating timing ring, but unlike a vast majority of dive watches with an externally-affixed rotating bezel, the Polaris utilizes a rotating inner ring in place of the chapter ring and is operated by the crown at 4 o'clock.

These pieces are as beautiful as they are functional. A brilliant example of mid-century design through and through. And, the ultimate cooking watch.