Jaeger-LeCoultre brings its hot Ocean Grey dial to the Polaris Chronograph
Zach Blass- The Polaris Chronograph gets the Ocean Grey dial first seen on the Polaris Date and Polaris Geographic from 2024.
- The dial requires 35 layers of lacquer, and is decorated with three finishes.
- Equipped with the in-house, chronograph Calibre 761, 42mm stainless steel case, it’s priced at US$14,900.
As much as we watch nerds love to get down to the micron in calibre specs, the undisputed main attraction of any watch is its dial. It’s typically the first thing that draws us in, tempting us for a closer look. Back in May 2024, Jaeger-LeCoultre served up a second capsule wave of novelties just a month after Watches and Wonders that zeroed in on refreshing the Polaris lineup. The two steel variants, the Polaris Date and the Polaris Geographic, immediately garnered favour with their attractive Ocean Grey lacquer dials. Today, this handsome dial finish makes its way to a new Polaris Chronograph.
The Ocean Grey colourway involves a much more complicated manufacturing process than you might expect. It necessitates 35 layers of lacquer to be applied, which is further enhanced with three different finishes. You will notice that the central medallion of the smoked dial has a radiant sunburst finish. Then, as you travel out to the ring that hosts the applied indices, a grained surface is introduced into the mix. By the time you reach the outer tachymeter scale, you’ll come across the third finish, and its glossy black surface. Orange joins the shades of grey, blue, and black to create further intrigue with subtle splashes of colour, highlighting the scales and tip of the central chronograph hand.
Despite being a chronograph, the stainless steel case, 42mm in diameter and 13.39mm thick, is suitable for swimming with its 100-metre depth rating. Though its specs certainly allude to a sporty watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre doesn’t let that stop them from applying elaborate case finishing. The detailing is rich, with largely brushed surfaces complemented by accents of mirror polish. The brand has even taken the time to further detail the pushers of the chronograph, reinforcing this watch as a great example of a personal favourite term – robust elegance.
As you would expect from the watchmaker’s watchmaker, the Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey is driven by the in-house, automatic calibre 761, a column-wheel chronograph with a weekend-proof 65 hours of power reserve.
Further enriching the offering is the fact that Jaeger-LeCoultre is offering the new Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey with a black rubber strap and blue-grey canvas strap bundled together. You’ll also be glad to know they share an interchangeable folding buckle that easily swaps between the two.
I often find cause for pause when it comes to 42mm watches for my smaller wrist, though not before turning to the lug-to-lug measurement before deciding whether or not I should be deterred. Measuring in at under 49mm, though, the Polaris Chrono should fit very well on most wrists. With its Ocean Grey lacquer dial and its smoky looks livened up with pops of orange, Jaeger-LeCoultre remixes familiar colour ingredients in a distinct way that watch collectors are already fans of, considering the initial response to its predecessors. The only question left, then (aside from “can I afford a Jaeger-LeCoultre?”), is “which configuration is my favourite? Time and date, travel time, or chronograph?”
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey pricing and availability
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey is now available for purchase. Price: US$14,900
| Brand | Jaeger-LeCoultre |
| Model | Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey |
| Reference | Q9028651 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 13.39mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Ocean Grey, lacquered |
| Strap | Black rubber, interchangeable steel folding clasp Additional blue-grey canvas strap |
| Movement | Calibre 761, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 65 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$14,900 |