LeCoultre Memovox Polaris First edition

The name Polaris was suggested by the American market as being entirely in tune with the adventurous spirit typical of this period where people were fascinated by polar exploration, oceanographic discoveries and the space race.

Jaeger-LeCoultre began preliminary studies on the Memovox Polaris E859 in 1962 and a pre- series of 50 was launched in 1963. Made and marketed in a total production run of 1,714 watches issued between 1965 and 1970, the Memovox Polaris was delivered on a rubber and steel band. It is still one of the most highly sought-after diver’s watches among collectors. More than ever today, its distinctive design and its penchant for daring accomplishments continue to inspire the creative talents within the Manufacture.

This model dates to 1960’s, and is one of the coolest vintage watches there is. Its as rare as it comes and a piece in this condition will rarely come up on the open market. Part of the reason this watch is so much fun is that it features a mechanical alarm complication, just as the lesser Memovoxes do, where the inner disc points to the time that the wearer would like the alarm to sound.

Additionally, this alarm watch is a diver. It features three oversized crowns with a crosshatch pattern, the center of which turns the inner rotating bezel, a telltale sign of a diver.

The triangle at 12 o’clock shows the inner bezel, and in this Polaris, and all super-compressor cased watches, they have a fantastic smooth look and feel.

On the rear of the watch you’ll find 16 holes, so that the sound of the alarm can be heard easily when ringing, while the inner caseback is actually the waterproof seal.

These watches come signed both as “Jaeger-LeCoultre” and “LeCoultre”, the latter being for the US market, and the only style of Polaris that was never remade in recent years. Additionally other notable differences between the two versions is that the Lecoutre versions come with Memovex stamped on the dial and the fonts stating Automatic are in Italic.

This is an amazing opportunity to acquire the coolest vintage watch on the market with some beautiful signs of patina come through the dial.