JLC Polaris Memovox Mariner

[Sah]

New to forum. Excited that a forum dedicated to dive watches exists. Looks like it is a relatively slow posting area. To that, my new watch is a bit hard to find in the wild, and even less posts out there. But I enjoy finding them. Hopefully you will enjoy this one.

The watch is somewhat polarizing to the few who have looked at it. You either love it or hate. I am totally in love though. Happy to answer any specifics about its perceived issues, real or otherwise:


JLC Polaris Memovox Mariner

I wanted a watch that was high quality, and different. A watch that was not worn by others in the same building or even same city. But needed to be a diver. I already have a 1950s Memovox, so the alarm function was seductive. As this made the price very high, I went pre-owned. To get the funds I traded my 2015 Subdate, and 2017 Omega SMPc which were not getting much wrist time. The Sub was getting little time as I could not wear it when going into places like San Francisco, for fear of too much attention. The Polaris does not have this problem. Nobody knows what it is.

I picked it up a few months ago. I have totally loved it. No regrets on selling the other two watches as they are readily available to buy. The most striking feature is the dial. It is gorgeous to behold. The applied numbers at 12, 6, and 9 are appreciated. The hands very legible. While some may not like the skeleton hands, I do. And they are functional as the exact minute is read thru the opening. Traditionally looking at the outer track would be misleading if the inner bezel is rotated away to a different position . The case is well executed with brushed and polished areas, generously flanked with large chamfers.

The size is chunky being just over 15mm, but so am I. Wrist size 8.25 inches. If you are into slender watch cases this may not work. The alarm function needs an extra 2-3 mm compared to other Polaris models.

There are 3 crowns. Only the middle is screw down which controls the inner rotating bezel. The rotation is unidirectional to meet dive standards. It also clicks nicely with 60 clicks around the case. It is difficult to operate unless the watch is taken off the wrist, and cannot be operated in the water. The water resistance is apparently compromised if unscrewed. This may be my only negative point as the underwater use is important to me.

The other crowns control the alarm, date quick set, and winding-time setting functions. The alarm is quieter than my vintage Memovox. And not felt as well as the older model. My wife hears it well, so it is definitely my high pitched hearing loss that is the problem ( I cannot hear my wife’s voice either).

The power reserve is on the low side. It is supposed to be more than 40, but mine is closer to 38 hours (Probably not as active as I should be). I have not carefully timed it, nor fully wound it to be sure. But, seriously doubt anything close to 40 hours.

I am not a bracelet guy, but this is the most comfortable I have worn. I would not have chosen the polished sides but they work well. I cannot picture fully brushed looking as good. It is a perfect bracelet even with small adjustable on the fly features.

Mine did not come with an extra rubber strap as it is the older 2022 model. I like the rubber for diving, and banging around the desk. Getting a 21mm strap to fit it has been challenging. The lugs and case require curved spring bars for the straps. The steel bracelet uses straight bars however. I use both Barton and Straphabit rubber 21mm. I slid the stock bars out and replaced with the new curved bars. The rubber, though initially straight, curves to match the curve of the new bar.

This initially felt too luxurious to be a dive watch. However after salt water exposure in Kauai, it is a total diver.

I love this watch, and have for the first time in years, been uninterested in other watches. Not sure how long it will last, but for me, 5 months is a long time.

Pros:
Its a Jaeger Lecoultre
Beautiful
Legible with nice lume
Movement is awesome to behold thru sapphire crystal
A diver
Alarm (able to wake up wife)
Bracelet is gorgeous and super comfortable
8 year warranty
It is an unknown watch

Cons:

Price new is very very high
Not a lot of preowned for sale
Bezel cannot be operated in the water
Low power reserve
Needs extra rubber strap with curved bars
I likely would wear my Planet Ocean creamsicle for a scuba dive over this. The PO would be easier to wear over a wetsuit with the bracelet (though I would likely put on a rubber strap that is oversized for that). But the standard bezel of the PO would be easier to work with wet gloves.

[Sah]

More pics

[rockmastermike]

Welcome, that is a gorgeous watch

[tmw]

Welcome. What an entrance with probably one of the top 3-5 jlcs ever. The Polaris alarm is a classic and rarely seen.

[Djf1978]

Great review and a beautiful watch!

[Wario406]

Welcome and thanks for the intro. Your JLC is a very handsome piece.

[aikiman44]

Blue and beautiful.

[Jeep99dad]

Wha a beautiful watch I’m a fan of the Polaris. Nice post

[r.palace]

Have always admired this one. JLC did good with this shade of blue.

Congrats and welcome.


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[giosdad]

Great review and watch! Welcome to DWC.

[Captdave]

Welcome aboard. Fantastic watch.


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[jtbenson]

to echo my brethren, kudos for the thoughtful first post and detailed review.
as one polaris lover to another, i echo many of your thoughts and reasons for acquisition.
five years on with mine and very much consider it one of the pillars of my collection.
hoping yours continues to bring you joy for years to come.
cheers!