Shortly after it introduced the first five models of the Polaris collection in 2018, Jaeger-LeCoultre released a boutique-only limited edition that used its dual-time movement in the new model line. That model was called the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic WT and was limited to 250 pieces, but it never made the jump to serial production — until now. Just over a month after showing off a slew of new Duomètre models at Watches and Wonders 2024, JLC is dropping the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic along with two new colorways of existing models.
The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic uses the same recognizable case as the rest of the Polaris collection. Arguably JLC’s sportiest case design, the 42mm diameter is complemented by a surprisingly svelte 11.54mm thickness. Given how excellent I’ve found the wearability of the Polaris Perpetual Calendar, which is the same diameter but thicker, I can assure you that it will have an incredibly pleasant wrist presence. The case is mostly brushed, with a thin polished bezel and polished chamfers. A crown at 3 o’clock sets the local time, while a crown at 10 o’clock adjusts the second time zone display. The case has a sapphire crystal, is water resistant to 200m, and comes with a black rubber strap and a blue-gray canvas strap, both interchangeable and with an interchangeable folding clasp.
While not the first Polaris Geographic, this new model is more refined with added functionality compared to the 2018 boutique edition. The old model featured a city wheel that circled the entire dial, but this new model offers a minutes ring with a wide aperture at 6 o’clock to show the current city for the second time zone. The city is more precisely indicated by an orange triangle on the dial, a color that is echoed in both the asymmetrically placed power reserve and the small hand of the second time zone’s 24-hour indicator. That indicator is recessed and joined with the full-time display of the second time zone, which is rendered in a stormy-looking lacquer ocean gray. That same tone forms the inner color of the gradient that appears once on the central dial and again on the hour ring. The applied indices are filled with lume, as are the hands, which are skeletonized which should allow for less disruption of the second time zone display. The Polaris Geographic is powered by the in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 939, an automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve at 28,800 vph. The movement is designed to allow for easy adjustment of the second time display: once the local time is set, simply use the 10 o’clock crown to select the city of the second time zone, and the hands will be set accordingly.
In addition to the new Geographic model, Jaeger-LeCoultre has also announced a new colorway for the both Polaris Date and the rose gold Polaris Perpetual Calendar. The new 42mm Polaris Date is offered in the same blue-gray gradient lacquer as the Geographic and is paired with the same black rubber strap. The new 42mm rose gold Polaris Perpetual Calendar gets a new gradient green lacquer dial (also available on the Polaris Date) and is offered on a matching green rubber strap and a black alligator leather strap. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic (Ref. Q9078640) is priced at $16,100 USD, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date (Ref. Q9068650) is priced at $11,100 USD, and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Perpetual Calendar (Ref. Q908263J) is priced at $52,500 USD. For more information, please visit the Jaeger-LeCoultre website.