Description:
JAEGER LE COULTRE POLARIS E-859 EVERTS
The history of alarm diving wristwatches produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) began in 1959 with the renowned “Memovox Deep Sea Alarm” reference E857. This model was produced and marketed in a limited run of only 1,061 copies. In the subsequent years, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, JLC introduced the commercial version of a new alarm diving watch in 1965: the Memovox Polaris reference E859. The Memovox Polaris was an innovative watch featuring a large case diameter, a revamped mechanism, and a sophisticated pressurization system known as the “Piquerex Compressor System.” One of its most notable advancements was the case back with holes, designed to enhance the propagation of the alarm sound underwater, making it a significant development in the evolution of diving watches. The very first examples of reference E-859 had a distinctive feature: dauphine hands instead of the baton hands found on later second-series models. Additionally, the dial of these early examples was very peculiar, with a matte finish on the rotating center disk and a gilt finish on the outer disk. These characteristics made the first-series examples of the E-859 essentially unique within its production.
The present JLC Polaris E-859 example is exceptionally unique not only because it is a first-series model with dauphine hands and a gilt-matte dial. It is the only known double-signed example by Everts, a dealership located in the USA. This special touch of double-stamping the dial makes this JLC E-859 extraordinarily rare, significantly enhancing its collectibility. The Everts signature matches the “LeCoultre” writing on the dial, which was specific to watches destined for the US market. In contrast, models marketed in Europe featured the full “Jaeger-LeCoultre” signature. The condition of this watch is spectacular. The dial is flawless, with no signs of aging in either the matte or gilt sections, and the tritium plots and hands remain vivid with perfect writings. The case appears to be untouched, retaining its original factory finishes and details. The caliber works perfectly, as does the complicated crown system typical of this watch. All components match the production period and are correct for the watch.
Circa 1965, Diameter 42mm.