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Lot Essay
According to the Archives of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the present Polaris wristwatch was manufactured in 1967 and sold in Europe.
Consigned by a private collector and preserved in very good original overall condition, this “Polaris” is one of the rarest and most mysterious versions of the reference E859. It is thought that only around 55 examples with the unusual shaped hands seen on this watch were produced. Known as “Calypso” by collectors, their form is much bolder than the sword or dauphine hands usually found on the Polaris model.
Making its debut at Basel in 1951, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox was created with the aim of providing a reliable wristwatch with alarm complication. Although the timepiece was a success, the Memovox encountered many developments throughout the years and became in 1956 the first self-winding alarm watch in history.
One of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most collectible timepieces, the name of the Memovox Polaris originates from a period of passionate polar exploration, ocean voyages and the conquest of space. Produced in 1,714 examples from 1965 to 1970, the Polaris was part of a small production, and became throughout time one of the most desirable diving wristwatches on the market.
With the reference E859, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new case of 42 mm diameter, considered very wide for the period. Through its size, the case of the wristwatch provided clear legibility under water and was furthermore delivered with a pierced case back designed to render the alarm sound more distinct under water.
For more information on the Polaris “Calypso” see: Guide to Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris ref. E859, Mstanga, February 2016 version, p. 64.
Consigned by a private collector and preserved in very good original overall condition, this “Polaris” is one of the rarest and most mysterious versions of the reference E859. It is thought that only around 55 examples with the unusual shaped hands seen on this watch were produced. Known as “Calypso” by collectors, their form is much bolder than the sword or dauphine hands usually found on the Polaris model.
Making its debut at Basel in 1951, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox was created with the aim of providing a reliable wristwatch with alarm complication. Although the timepiece was a success, the Memovox encountered many developments throughout the years and became in 1956 the first self-winding alarm watch in history.
One of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most collectible timepieces, the name of the Memovox Polaris originates from a period of passionate polar exploration, ocean voyages and the conquest of space. Produced in 1,714 examples from 1965 to 1970, the Polaris was part of a small production, and became throughout time one of the most desirable diving wristwatches on the market.
With the reference E859, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new case of 42 mm diameter, considered very wide for the period. Through its size, the case of the wristwatch provided clear legibility under water and was furthermore delivered with a pierced case back designed to render the alarm sound more distinct under water.
For more information on the Polaris “Calypso” see: Guide to Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris ref. E859, Mstanga, February 2016 version, p. 64.