From JustLuxe content partner iW Magazine
Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces a perpetual calendar to its Polaris series, adding a classical calendar complication to the refined sporty collection. The debut anchors a wide-ranging set of Watches and Wonders 2022 debuts that reference the brand’s “Stellar Odyssey” theme for the year’s new releases.
Other debuts include a pair of new Atmos models, two impressive grand complications, and two glittering additions to the Rendez-Vous collection.
You might recall that in 2018 Jaeger-LeCoultre revived the Polaris name, adding the collection named for the famed Memovox Polaris dive series of 1968.
With the new Polaris Perpetual Calendar, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces Caliber 868AA, a new version of its existing perpetual calendar movement (first seen in 2013), here upgraded to create a retrograde display of Southern Hemisphere moon phases. The update also increases the caliber’s power reserve to a full seventy hours. Fewer power lapses make any calendar watch all the more practical.
Jaeger-LeCoultre colors the dial on the 42mm steel or pink gold Polaris Perpetual Calendar in a deep gradient-blue hue to suggest the transition from day to night.
To reference the origins of calendars within astronomical events, Jaeger-LeCoultre places the moon phases here at 6 o’clock, with a retrograde display for the Southern Hemisphere framing the display for its Northern counterpart. New skeleton hands allow greater visibility of the dial displays –and maintain Polaris design codes.
All the Polaris codes are here, including a glass-box crystal, a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, and a top crown that rotates the inner bezel. The lower crown is for setting the time and winding the watch while calendar settings are adjusted via a single pusher.
Prices: $29,600 (steel) and $44,300 (pink gold).
Specifications : Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Perpetual Calendar
Case: 42mm x 11.97mm steel or pink gold.
Movement: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 868AA. Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, perpetual calendar with moon phases in two hemispheres and red security zone, inner rotating bezel. The power reserve is 70 hours, and water resistance to 100 meters.
Dial: Lacquered blue gradient.
Strap: Ref. Q9088480 (steel) interchangeable steel bracelet and rubber strap.
Ref. Q9082480 (pink gold) interchangeable rubber strap and alligator leather strap.
Additional Highlights from Jaeger-LeCoultre at Watches and Wonders 2022:
Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Galaxia in pink gold (above) and Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945 Atomium in white gold. Each is offered in a limited edition of five pieces. Prices: $535,000 (white gold) and $515,000 (pink gold).
The Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948, with universal flying tourbillon, world-time display with 24-hour indication. A limited-edition of twenty. Price: $227,000.
The new Atmos Tellurium with Zodiac calendar (above). A limited-edition of ten pieces: Price: $570,000.
The Atmos Infinite, with the ‘almost-perpetual’ Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 570 (above). Price: $15,100.
Two additions to the Rendez-Vous collection called Rendez-Vous Star and Rendez-Vous Dazzling Star (pictured above). In pink gold or white gold, the 36mm diamond-set watch hosts a unique complication in which a diamond-set ‘shooting star’ moves across the top of the dial at random moments during the day, typically four to six times per hour. The shooting star can also be activated on-demand with several turns of the crown. Prices: $75,500 (Dazzling Star only).
