By Jovan Krstevski
From Jaeger LeCoultre’s collection of watches, Polaris is the odd one out in the best way. Built for real world usage, it still brings some of that Vallée de Joux flair. Case in point: the new Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey.
The case is a no-nonsense affair. Rendered in stainless steel and measuring 42mm x 13.39mm, it lands squarely in the goldilocks zone for a sports chrono. Water resistance sits at 100 metres. The pushers neatly flank the crown, doing their part without screaming for attention.
The dial side is where things get a bit more theatrical. Made from 35 layers of lacquer, the Ocean Grey dial walks a tightrope between complexity and coherence. At the centre is a sunray brushed disc with a pale blue-grey fumé effect. Surrounding it is a grain textured ring for the hour markers, also gradient finished. Finally, a glossy black tachymeter track hugs the edge. Subdials sit at 3 and 9 o’clock for the chrono minutes and running seconds. Skeletonised hands and trapezoid indexes are painted with lume, as are the orange accented elements peppered throughout.
Ticking within is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Calibre 761, an automatic chronograph movement built with 248 components and 35 jewels. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a respectable 65 hour power reserve. It’s neither avant-garde nor particularly vintage leaning, which might just be its strongest suit.
The watch comes with two straps in the box. One is a black rubber option for those planning to get their wrists dirty, the other a blue-grey canvas strap that plays off the dial. Both are fitted with an interchangeable folding buckle. Retail is pegged at $14,900 USD, so it’s not exactly an impulse buy.
