Only Online Auction

Hong Kong, Oct 14, 2021

LOT 167

LECOULTRE
MEMOVOX POLARIS, STEEL

HKD 120,000 - 180,000

CHF 14,400 - 21,500 / EUR 13,300 - 19,900 / USD 15,500 - 23,200

Fine and rare, self-winding diver’s wristwatch, with compressor case, underwater alarm, black dial, center seconds and date ,approx. 1714 pieces were made between 1965 and 1971


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Brand LeCoultre

Model Memovox Polaris

Reference E859

Year circa 1967

Movement No. 1881858

Case No. 1099437

Bracelet Tropic rubber strap

Diameter Ø42mm

Caliber K825

Signature Case, Dial and Movement

Notes

Launched in 1965 as a successor to the Memovox Deep Sea, the Polaris was Jaeger LeCoultre's response to the ever-increasing popularity of recreational scuba diving. Developed for the American market and designed in a massive 42 mm.case, it featured an internal revolving bezel as well as an alarm function and a date. Equipped with the Jaeger caliber K825 that revolutionized the watch world a few years before as the world's first automatic alarm watch, the Polaris offered divers reliability and endurance. The first generation was fitted with a plain full back and a dial with applied baton indexes, the second generation of 1967-71 were drilled for better sound emission and a dial with large luminous indexes. The first and second generations of the Polaris was made in a total of only 1714 pieces over a 6 year period between 1965 and 1971, this model is rare. Most were made for the American market, so the dials were usually signed only LeCoultre.

CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS

The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.

Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.