The newest member of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s line of sports watches, the Polaris Geographic is a dual time zone in a modern “ocean grey” with orange accents with a practical dial layout showing a second time zone, day-night indicator, cities disc for the world time, and the power reserve.

Initial thoughts

Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) first introduced this complication over three decades ago as the Géographique, a full-featured travel watch that stood out from most of the simpler travel watches of the time. But it had a fairly cluttered dial, so the new Geographic is simplified, with the key change being the removal of the date. This streamlines the aesthetic though some might find the date more practical than the power reserve indicator.

The movement inside is an upgraded version of the calibre in the 1990s Géographique and now has a three-day power reserve, but is still relatively complex to set. A more useful update would have been a more intuitive time zone-setting function. 

The Polaris Geographic retails for US$16,100, which feels steep, particularly since JLC has historically been affordable more affordable watchmaking of good, industrial-artisanal quality. 

A diving dual time zone

The new Geographic adopts the style of the Polaris line, which is a modern-ish dive watch look with an inner rotation bezel.

The layout remains the familiar one found on past generations of the model, with the second time zone in a sub-dial at six and the day-night indicator to its left. A cities ring for 24 time zones is displayed in a window across the lower periphery of the dial. And a power reserve indicator sits at nine o’clock.

According to JLC, the gradient grey dial is achieved with 35 layers of hand-applied lacquer, resulting in a finish that goes from grey to black on the edges. It’s matched with orange accents as well as large, legible hands and markers.

The steel case, with a domed “glass box” sapphire crystal, shares the same dimensions as the Polaris Geographic WT of 2018, measuring 42 mm in diameter and 11.54 mm in thickness.

Inside is the in-house cal. 939 also found in the Master Control Geographic. The movement traces its roots to the cal. 929 developed in the late 1990s. It’s been improved over the years and now boasts a 70-hour power reserve.

But it is functionally identical to its predecessor so setting the second time zone is a bit fiddly. The wearer has to first use the crown at ten to select the desired city, then set the hour hand for the second time zone sub-dial at six.

Key facts and price

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic
Ref. Q9078640

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 11.54 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 939
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, second time-zone, power reserve, 24 time-zones, night and day display
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Black rubber strap with blue-grey canvas strap option

Limited edition: No
Availability: Available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques and retailers.
Price: US$16,100

For more, visit Jaeger-lecoultre.com