JAEGER-LECOUTRE. AN EXTREMELY RARE STAINLESS STEEL PROTOTYPE AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE AND ALARM

Preserved in very good and original condition, the present 'Memovox Polaris' is one of the rarest pieces reference E859. According to the Archives of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the present Polaris wristwatch was manufactured in 1963 as a Prototype. Given the excessively high level of rarity and exclusivity of the reference, the present watch must be considered as a significant opportunity for any discerning Jaeger-LeCoultre collector.

Making its debut at Basel in 1951, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox was created with the aim of providing a reliable wristwatch with alarm complication. Although the timepiece was a success, the Memovox encountered many developments throughout the years and became in 1956 the first self-winding alarm watch in history.

One of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most collectible timepieces, the name of the Memovox Polaris originates from a period of passionate polar exploration, ocean voyages and the conquest of space. Produced in 1,714 examples from 1965 to 1970, the Polaris was part of a small production, and became throughout time one of the most desirable diving wristwatches on the market.

With the reference E859, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new case of 42 mm diameter, considered very wide for the period. Through its size, the case of the wristwatch provided clear legibility under water and was furthermore delivered with a pierced case back designed to render the alarm sound more distinct under water.