Introducing: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date (Live Pics & Pricing)

January 15, 2018

Amongst the new Polaris watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre, this is the model that sits right in the middle. It doesn't have a chronograph or alarm complication, but it's a little larger and less restrained than the time-only version. The 42mm stainless steel case houses a black dial with faux aged lume and a date window at three o'clock. It's meant to be an everyday sports watch with old-school styling in modern proportions. Short of missing that third crown and the central Memovox disc though, this is a watch that could easily be mistaken for a vintage Polaris. The New Polaris Collection Be sure to check out the rest of the new Polaris collection too: Polaris Automatic Polaris Date Polaris Chronograph Polaris Chronograph WT Why This Watch Matters I'll admit I was a little confused when I first saw that there were both time-only and time-and-date models in the new Polaris collection. Why both? Well, the answer is simple really: the three-hand Polaris Automatic is probably going to be a hit mostly with the collectors and enthusiasts. For the general population, it's this slightly larger date-bearing model that's going to be more popular. People generally prefer watches with date displays (despite what you might think from reading the comments on HODINKEE), and that extra millimeter in size will appeal to a lot of people too. Offering both is Jaeger acknowledging this and giving the two audiences two different options. Initial Thoughts The dial on this model is really incredible. While I like the bright white lume on the Automatic, the softer yellowed lume on this model gives the watch a lot of character. It's sort of puzzling that this isn't found on the time-only model as well (at least as an option), but differentiating the two does make a lot of sense. I particularly like the Polaris Date on the new steel bracelet, which fits nicely with the proportions of the case, though the Clous de Paris rubber strap is a close second here. The Basics Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultreModel: Polaris DateDiameter: 42mmThickness: 13.1mmCase Material: Stainless steelCaseback: Closed, stainless steelDial Color: Black, with sunray, grained, and opaline finishesIndexes: Applied Arabic numerals and trapezoid batonsLume: Vanilla Super-LumiNovaWater Resistance: 200mStrap/Bracelet: Black rubber with Clous de Paris pattern or stainless steel bracelet Unlike the Polaris Automatic, the Polaris Date features faux-aged, vanilla-color Super-LumiNova. The Movement Caliber: In-House Caliber 899/1Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, dateDiameter: 26mmPower Reserve: 38 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 32 Pricing & Availability Price: $7,750 (rubber strap), $8,700 (stainless steel bracelet)Availability: April 2018, online and in-storeFor more click here. This watch sits right in the middle of the new Polaris collection.