SIHH 2008 JLC Presentation in KL, Malaysia

[Jedi]

Last night, 17 April, was the SIHH 2008 JLC presentation at the boutique in Kuala Lumpur. It was an invitation only event for LeClub (JLC's corporate 'fanclub') and boutique guests. I managed to get a membership just before the SIHH started by registering my dad's JLC Reverso.

The highlight of the evening had to be the Polaris re-edition, the first diver's watch, released in 1965 with an alarm function, and internal timing bezel. JLC is reissuing the 1965 and 1968 models in limited editions of 165 1965 models in Platinum only, and 768 1968 models in stainless steel, both with updated movements and slightly updated dials, however the 1968 is pretty much on par with the original.

I saw a vintage piece for sale in Italy for Euro15,000 and I thought, nice watch, somehow cooler than the Blancpain FF due to the alarm function AND 200m water resistance, and internal bezel!! It shares a design DNA with the Vulcain Nautical, in that they were designed by the same man, cased in the same cases with movement by JLC.

Here are some pics from the evening, taken by KT from ThePurists:

Yours truly unveiling the Polaris and Ladies Reverso Squadra with the JLC Area Manager, Ms Reena Tan:



Mmmm... Polaris:



It looks great, and SOUNDS great!



You might notice that the crystal is acrylic, and not sapphire, in keeping with the historical theme.

More images if you click here.

[sherwin]

very nice.

[Terry Newton]

Nice looking watch Lee.

Is that you in the photo? You're a handsome young man and probably have ladies chasing you right and left.

Thanks for sharing this great event. I love the brand. The pictures at the other site were awesome. Good looking ladies there as well. That always helps an event.

Terry Newton

[Jedi]

@ Terry...

Luckily my wife was there too, but she's camera shy. One of the wrist shots at ThePurists is of a watch on her wrist though!

It was a really really fun night, probably due to the number of true WISs there. Ladies help of course, but I think I'm in love with the Polaris.

Did I mention that it's got an alarm function??

[Scooby]

That is a beautiful watch Lee. Did you take one home with you?

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by Jedi

@ Terry...

Luckily my wife was there too, but she's camera shy. One of the wrist shots at ThePurists is of a watch on her wrist though!

It was a really really fun night, probably due to the number of true WISs there. Ladies help of course, but I think I'm in love with the Polaris.

Did I mention that it's got an alarm function??

Ahhh! A Married man. Women's hearts are breaking all over the world.

That Polaris is a nice looking watch. I don't think you mentioned an alarm. I was torn on the RGM on an alarm feature. I like a minute repeater but they are so, so pricey. An alarm would be cool depending on the tone. That is one classy watch in my opinion. I'd be nervous about acrylic though. I believe they polish out easily enough, it's just they scratch easily though as the crystal seems to be the firs thing knocked as well as a watches bezel.

Are you going to buy it?

Terry Newton

[Jedi]

It's a limited edition.

768 pieces worldwide in SS, and 165 in PT.

The history of the piece is quite interesting, and can be found on the JLC website.

Have I bought one? Let's just say I've made some enquiries

[watchlady]

Wow! Great to see! Great looking watch and I love the photo of you with the watch on!
What does the alarm sound like?

[Lol-x]

Thanks for that mini review Lee.
The Polaris is a great looking design and I'm glad JLC decided to re-edition it. Evidently the markers are made of new 'aged appearance' luminova to give the new watch a vintage look. I find this quite interesting, making a new watch to have a vintage appearance, but I guess after all it is intended to be a celebration limited run of the 1960's models.

[Jedi]

The alarm on the Polaris sounds a little more 'vintage' than that on the Memovox. Let me try and explain:

The Memovox sound is distinctly clear, and it rings continuously like a mechanical alarm clock should, just scaled down. This description refers to the last Memovox from JLC which was discontinued last year (I got to play with the last model to come off the production line in February!!).

The Polaris sound is loud, clear, but has that 'aged' tone to it, much like say, an older style alarm clock. I was going to make a recording of it using my cellphone but the whole place was kind of noisy and it didn't work out.

The Polaris, however, has a perforated caseback that is slightly domed, to lift the watch slightly above the wrist/wetsuit and allow the sound to resonate from the caseback. After all, it was initially designed for use underwater to remind divers when it's time to surface.

Also, note the 3 crowns... they perform the following functions:

Top Crown: winds the alarm barrel and sets the alarm and date

Middle Crown: rotates the internal bezel

Bottom Crown: winds the watch and sets the time

It is an automatic caliber, exclusive to the re-edition Polaris and based on the original caliber but tweaked to contain improvements and innovations, but I didn't notice whether the movement hacks or doesn't.

Delivery worldwide is scheduled for October.