| Author | Message | ||
     anders trojel Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I've never been able to find hard facts about the following two matters: 1)Allegedly only some 1,200 Polaris watches were ever produced in the 60ties, but where does this number come from? Indeed the present prices paid for this model is a proof of its scarcity, but still I would like to know if anyone can quote a reliable source concerning its actual production numbers. 2) Why was the watch nicknamed "Polaris"? Is there a good story to tell? Thanks and regards, Anders | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The ~1200 figure is from Ilja as a result of correspondence with JLC (he has the exact number I think it is 1400). I'm speculating that the Polaris name is derived from the U.S. Nuclear Sub and the JLC marketing effort that is related to the commanders of the Sub once being offered Geophysique watches. | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The production figure was a gueesing, in the meantime a total of 1,600 Ref. E 859 was confirmed by JLC, LeSentier. For the nickname "Polaris" someone once said it was advertised in the US with that name. But no proof has been observed yet. Old European catalogs covering that watch just call it "Memovox plongeur" or "Skin diver�s Memovox" Ilja | ||
| anders trojel Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thanks again, Ilja and Zaf. This forum is a blast ! Anders | ||
| Tim Ehlers New member Username: Tim Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hello, I am new to the forum. I am interested in further info about the "Polaris" I have two. One a 1965 and one a 1967. The '67 has the perforated back, has a LeCoultre dial and has the dagger type luminous markers with luminous numbers at 6, 9 and 12. The alarm/outer dial and inner rotating bezeldial are matte black. Inner three part case back has numbers and says COMPRESSOR under a diving helmet profile. The '65 has a shiny black rotating bezel and outer dial and matte inner alarm disk. Has luminous stick markers and applied silver numbers at 6, 9 and 12. Its inner case back has different numbering arrangement and says COMPRESSOR w/o diving helmet. It also has no outer perforated back and outer back is smooth and does not have the land (turned snap diameter) for the perforated back to attach. Therefore I do not believe it is missing the third and outer sounding board back. Interestingly, the 825 movement serial number in the '67 is earlier than the '65. I did not mention that the inner case backs have a date code. I have seen only one smooth back Polaris before. I have seen at least three dial types, maybe more if you count that some of them were Jaeger LeCoultre marked and some were LeCoulte marked. How many dial types are there? What years were these watches produced? Were the earlier ones smooth backed? Any info regarding case and dial variations would be greatly appreciated. Tim | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 118 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Tim, Can you post some scans? I have not seen a smooth back one before. Thanks, Zaf | ||
| Tim Ehlers New member Username: Tim Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2003 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, Both are at the watchmaker's. There is definitely no snap groove on the middle back of the '65 for the perforated back. Maybe there is another way for one to attach? Maybe the previous one I saw at a watch show 5-6 yrs ago was missing the outer back and mine is as well, but I do not think so. What is the earliest date you have seen on one and what dial variations have you seen. I have some pics of the dial sides of the watches I am looking for to post and when I get the watches back I will post pics of the backs as well. Tim | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 120 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
These are the 2 dial varieties I have seen, the more common being the second, the first is basically the same as a normal memovox. It has been seen pictured in some old catalogs so it is legit. Not sure I noted when the earliest one I've seen is, but I have never seen a solid back one, so by all means post some pics!   | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Tim, like Zaf already pointed out, both dial styles are legit. US and Canada models just have LeCoultre instead of JLC. These watches were produced form 1965 to 1970. A 1965 catalog shows the "matal marker" dial, while a 1967 catalog shows the "lume style". The inner caseback does not have a grove to get the perforated back attached, it snaps over the whole inner back. About 30% of all offered Polaris are lacking the second case back. Personal I guess some where simply removed by the owner to reduce the total high. Some are surely lost by unskilled watchmakers. I doubt it ever came without seconds case back from the factory. Just the second caseback feature makes the watch�s Alarm useable under water. It�s earlier sister the "Deep Sea Alarm" had no resonance case. Personal I believe that�s the reason why it was not produced for a long time and became quite rare. Ilja | ||
| Tim Ehlers New member Username: Tim Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2003 Rating: N/A |
Ilja, Thx for the pics. My '65 looks like the one on the left except it says "AUTOMATIC-ALARM-CALENDAR" above the 6 instead of just "AUTOMATIC". My '67 looks like the one on the right. Both say "MEMOVOX" under the alarm marker. The '65 dial is 100% while the '67 is great with toning of the luminous stuff. Tritium? The '65 case (sans the case backs) appears to be made up of more than one piece while the '67 is made of one piece of ss. I need to get them back to check for sure and send an edge picture. Can you post an image of the back side without the perforated back attached? Other than plating wear, the '65 back really is different than the '67. It is smooth across, so that if I had never seen the perforated back, I would never have known that they came that way too. Interesting where the plating is worn, the color looks like bronze or monel. The '67 has had one of the cross-hatched crowns replaced with a smooth one. If anyone knows where I can get a replacement cross-hatch one I would greatly appreciate it. Again thx for the dial images. Tim | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Tim, both underlines and different alarm disks are possible and legit. Nothing to worry about.  Actually the caseback is made of 3 parts, the part having the serial number etc. is stainless steel, the second is made of chrome plated brass (here the pin for the alarm hammer is soldered on). The third is the perforated back. Sorry I have no scan handy, but a single case back is in front of me. I�ll take a scan asap. For a cross-hatched crown, please email me privatly. ;) Ilja | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Dear Dano, this is a discussion board, not a sales advertising page! For the future please keep that in mind. We do NOT give any comments on a watch to support it�s sale. - Sorry. Ilja PS. It�s up to Zaf to remove your message. | ||
| Dano Mac Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
My apologies. Please have the webmaster remove it at once. I came upon this page through a direct link and didn't realize. Thank you, and again my apology Dano | ||
| Mike Margolis Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Here's my Polaris page... http://www.mikemargolis.com/polaris.htm | ||
| Robin Hancock Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I recently returned from France where I met a Genetleman who owned a 1963 Memovox in stainless steel, with a white face and dagger style markers, similar to that which I believed were only available on the Plonguer? Is it possible this is original ? Robin | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 133 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The regular automatic Memovox also came with dagger hands, so yes it is possible. Zaf | ||
| geoffroy Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
HI, could anyone tell me if another kind of diver memovox (except "polaris")have been realeased in the 60's ? I saw one with an outside,manually rotating dial,and therefore only two crown. I wonder if it's a genuine Le Coultre memovox. Thanks | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 189 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Yes, there is what is called the "Deep Sea" alarm which has an outside bezel which strangely does not rotate. Most of these came as LeCoultre not JLC. | ||
| geoffroy Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thank you very much for this information (the one I saw is JLC). Do you know if this model is much more current than the Polaris ? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 194 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
No, it is worth LESS than the polaris, perhaps 2/3 less. | ||
| geoffroy Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
So the deep sea alarm is easier to find. Thank you again, Zaf. | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 33 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Hi Geoffroy, the price being paid is lower for the Deep Sea Alarm (Ref. E857) but it is highly sought after and became very rare. When you see 4-5 Polaris, you probably find one Deep Sea Alarm. Personal I guess a low quantity of perhaps 300 to 600 pieces was produced. The design isn�t very useful for divers and I believe the water proofness wasn�t that good. I have one at JLC LeSentier for restauration at the moment, perhaps we get more informations when the job is done... Ilja | ||
| Geoffroy Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Ilja, Thanks, I would have think that as it worth less, the Deep Sea Alarm was less rare than Polaris. So do you know what make the price lower? Do you think it's because it's not convenient for diving? I think few people use their Polaris or Deep Sea Alarm for diving anyway. Is it because the movement is not as good as polaris's one? or maybe it's because the look of Deep Sea isn't as great and original as Polaris's ? (I can hardly find a diving watch looking better than a Polaris anyway) | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 34 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: |
You are right, for collecting vintage classics water resistance isn�t an issue. I believe the Deep Sea Alarm is simply not known to the public like the Polaris. See, the Polaris is shown in JLC�s current product catalog for 10 years now. - This makes a huge difference. Beside that, we see not many Deep Sea Alarms for sale around. So how shall the community know that it exsists? For me it is a great looking watch in both variants, US market and the much rarer European version. It is fairly big with about 39mm in diameter, so it meets the current taste of watches, except Italians of course... Ilja | ||
| Reid Zeigler Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I just stumbled upon this forum and have some information that might be useful. I have all of the original material that came with my LeCoultre Polaris watch including a small 4 page instruction manual with the title "LeCoultre Polaris deep sea automatic calendar alarm watch" The model number written in the guarantee is DSP 666 and the date of original purchase was Feb-71 | ||
| Reid Zeigler Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi Zaf, Here are my numbers for the LeCoultre Polaris: Case - E859 (perforated cover with Compressor and diver's hat stamped inside) Date - 5-68 Movement - K925 S/N - 200 768 It has its original ss bracelet and is in nice condition, but the alarm function isn't working. I'm an experienced watchmaker, but haven't worked on a memovox before, so I've been waiting to see if I can find some technical information on this calibre with lubrication and assembly information before I work on it. Reid | ||
| Reid Zeigler Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Thanks to Tim for pointing out that the movement in my Polaris is a K825. s/n 2005768 (sorry, I wasn't using a loupe) Reid | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 235 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Excellent! Very useful...Any chance at getting hi res scans of the original manual? I believe I have the service manual for the K825. | ||
| Reid Zeiglrer Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Zaf Here's a low res scan of the manual. Email me for a higher res scan so that I have some idea of what size and format file you can handle. I'll swap for a copy of the service manual :-) This is inside/outside at actual size - Reid  | ||
| Senu Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
This is a very interesting website. Mr.Reid, this manual is very great. I have a repair notes for 815 (not 825). Please email me if you are interested in it. Polaris is my favorite. I have some and i will post the serial numbers. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 239 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Excellent Reid...Check your mail! Zaf | ||
| J�rg Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi everybody, I am looking quite a long time for a Polaris, especially with a dial like on the second picture of Zaf�s message of August 10, 2003. Could you please tell me how to find one and in which price range they are sold. Thank you very much in advance. J�rg | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 248 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I just got back for a Paris auction tonight, at ARTCURIAL and it sold with premim for slightly under $8000! | ||
| Senu Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Reference numbers of my Polaris. Plain style: 987566 9-65 1054566 9-65 Luminus style 1128267 5-68 I have one more luminous, but I coudn't open it sorry. "LeCoultre" has "AUTOMATIC-ALARM-CALENDAR" on the outer dial and "MEMOVOX" on the inner dial. "Jaeger LeCoultre" has "AUTOMATIC" on the outer dial only. | ||
| Mark Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
There is a Polaris on eBay right now for $6400.00 I too find the Polaris very attractive. I presently own a very large Bulova dive watch with a similar inner rotating bezel and a Wittnauer Super-Compressor which looks like a "baby" Polaris. In the past I've seen a Girard-Perregaux that looked like a Polaris. Same size too, but no alarm. | ||
| Reid Zeigler New member Username: Reidz Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
I'm finally ready to post some photos of the Polaris repair. Many thanks to Tadanori Senuma, Tim Ehlers and many others who provided expert help, tech bulletins, and sources for materials. - Reid Here's a link to the photo archive. http://www.pbase.com/rreid/polaris  | ||
| STEVE GINTIS Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
GOING THROUGH SOME OLD STUFF AND FOUND A POLARIS WITH METAL BAND IN PERFECT CONDITION.PURCHASED IT IN MID 60'S. WHAT IS IT WORTH TODAY. STEVE | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 1465 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
In the $7000 range. | ||
| Peter Villaume Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
As I understand, the LeCoultre marked Polarismodels are made in the US (with movements from Swiss)and the Jaeger Lecoultre marked ones in Europe - is this right? Thinking of getting af Polaris, but the history i a jungle... | ||
| Ilja Probst Moderator Username: Ilja Post Number: 174 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
All Polaris are Swiss made. Only difference is, US market watches have LeCoultre signed dials and movements, while the European are fully signed JLC. Ilja | ||
| reinegunnarsson Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Hi, I know this is the Polaris chat but was just wondering if someone could help me with value estimate on a normal Memovox that I have (am not looking to sell). It's in good spec it seems, no exterior scratches or anything and interior looks good (im no expert..) Think it is from 1962, has a leather strap, steel watch. I bought it for approx 1260 USD (in sweden) and would just like to know if that is fair value. Many thanks guys! | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2080 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
If it is a manual wind watch, it's a little on the high side, if it is an automatic, it was a good deal. | ||
| reinegunnarsson Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
It is an automatic so I'm happy now. Thanks for your help on this. Reine | ||
| jonashemmingsen Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Just bought a nice polaris, but seems that the back is not in good condition - is it still possible to get this fixed at the factory - or are there other alternatives?? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2137 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The factory MAY have a few backs left, but you will only get it with a full service costing around 1000 Euro. | ||
| Clavi Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
And you will need a new dial as well :-) |
