Simply Abu Dhabi XXIX

2 2 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I J aeger-LeCoultre is an exceptional Maison that commands respect and admiration throughout the luxury watchmaking industry. They are the watchmaker’s watch brand. They are universally known for iconic pieces such as the Reverso, and other elegant dress watches—think Master Ultra-Thin collection—but sports collections? That is not an area that is normally associated with this revered brand. Until now that is. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection makes a dynamic assertion that JLC can, and in fact has always been capable of making world-class sports watches. The collection consists of five different models, of which one model—the Polaris Memovox—is a tribute to the model from 1968 and is a limited series of 1,000 pieces only. The other four models—Automatic, Date, Chronograph and Chronograph Worldtime—are not limited and are available on different sort of straps, including a new metal strap developed this year. The Memovox Deep Sea first emerged in 1959 with the notable precedent of being the first dive watch with an alarm. A mechanical alarm function—a signature complication of all Memovox watches—was used to remind the diver when to return to the surface. The watch was equipped with the calibre 815, the first movement to combine the self-winding capacity with the alarm function. Then in 1965 the Memovox Polaris was born. It immediately stood out thanks to its three crowns—one for the movement, one for the alarm, one for the inner bezel—and for its crisp, clean and now iconic dial. It was powered by the calibre 825 and when it was updated in 1968 that is the release which became world famous. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection channels the best of the Grande Maison’s watchmaking tradition and its attention to detail, while creating a contemporary, sporty yet elegant timepiece, with a vintage touch. The dial architecture is distinctive, combining a mixture of finishings on three concentric circles: a Memovox Polaris-inspired centre with a sunray finish, graining on the outer circle with the hours and minutes, and an opaline finish on the rotating inner bezel. The Jaeger-LeCoultre logo is applied, as are the classic Arabic numbers and the contemporary trapezoidal indexes. The hands are large and filled with Super- LumiNova for excellent visibility in low light. In two models, the Super-LumiNova is vintage vanilla-coloured as an homage to the look of Tritium featured on the original Memovox Polaris. Historically black, the new Jaeger- LeCoultre Polaris is offered in a black or ocean-blue dial, bringing a sense of urban elegance. The cases for the Jaeger- LeCoultre Polaris collection are also brand new, with proportions designed for an elegant sports watch. They feature an eye- catching combination of brushed and hand- polished surfaces, with sharp, plunging lugs and thin, rounded bezels. The large crowns, emblematic of the 1968 model, have been redesigned for better grip. The exhibition backs of three pieces in this new collection show off the high watchmaking manufacture movements, complete with an oscillating weight featuring the Jaeger-LeCoultre logo. Comprised of the initial release of five models, with the one limited edition paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Memovox watch, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection is a new pillar, one that redefines sporty elegance. Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection