Lacquer and a new colour have made their way to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris collection, with two new models featuring matte gradient lacquer dials in blue or grey.

The 42mm sized stainless steel case is water resistant to 100m, and the new dials are composed of a central disc, a middle ring (on which the hour markers are applied) and an outer ring on which the tachymeter scale resides.

On both the central disc and middle hours ring the colour gradation is from light to dark, and the lacquer manually applied – step one is a coat of clear varnish and then, the colouring process begins, including 35 coats of translucent lacquer, before mirror finishing as the final step.

Layout-wise, alongside the central chronograph seconds hand are a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The use of orange accents on both dial colour options and circular graining of these sub-dials position these new Polaris chronographs in a more informal sports-oriented category, even with the use of the more dressy gloss of lacquer. There is a third type of finishing on the dial – opaline on the tachymeter ring. The numerals, markers and tips of the hands are all lumed.

Visible through the open case back is the automatic Calibre 761, which has an integrated column-wheel chronograph. Beating at 28,800 VPH, it has a power reserve of 65 hours. Finishing includes Côtes de Genève on the base plate, blued screws, and of course there’s an open-worked rotor with ‘JL’ on it.

Both watches come with two straps (and an easy change system). The blue dial model has a steel bracelet and a blue rubber strap with a ‘Clous de Paris’ texture, whereas the grey model comes with a black rubber strap with the same pattern, and a beige canvas strap. Both models have an interchangeable stainless steel folding buckle for the straps.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph with lacquered dials are now available and have an Australian RRP of $24,300.

[Photo credit: Jaeger-LeCoultre]

Categories: chronograph, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Watch Profile, watches