Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces...

Hong Kong, Dec 05, 2021

LOT 60

LECOULTRE MEMOVOX POLARIS, STEEL

HKD 120,000 - 180,000

EUR 13,500 - 20,200 / CHF 14,200 - 21,300 / USD 15,500 - 23,200

Sold: HKD 137,500

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 42 mm

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.