Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Alarm 'First Series'

There are diver's watches, and then there are diver's watches....just as there are grail watches, and then there are grail watches. In this rare opportunity, we are beyond delighted to be offering both at once in the form of this absolutely incredible 1965 Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Diver's Alarm watch! Culminating in a timepiece considered by many to be the ultimate vintage diver's watch, the Polaris project was begun by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1962 after releasing a limited run of early mechanical diving alarms known as the "Memovox Deep Sea Alarm". The "DSA" was Jaeger-LeCoultre's original answer to safely calculating dive time in the new and rapidly growing sport of SCUBA. Utilizing an automatic movement with a manually-wound alarm function that would sound off at a pre-set time, its vibration and sound would alert the diver that it was time to ascend. In the late 50s and early 60s, this was as high-tech as it came. And it is every bit as awesome a function today. Evolving from its predecessor, the Polaris featured a "jumbo size" 42mm stainless steel case with two-piece caseback designed to amplify the sound of the alarm function underwater. The Polaris also featured an internally-rotating timing bezel, operated from a third crown.  Made in a limited run of 1714 examples between 1965-1970, it was produced with several variants to the handset and dial dependent upon the destination market. This reference E859 Polaris is an exceptional example from the European market, part of the first series of production with an incredible dial and clean case. Ticking within is the unique Calibre K825. This is a truly rare collector's example ready for a distinguished collector who appreciates history. We've seen a number of remaining examples beaten to hell — a trait which carries its own charm, to be sure — but nothing compares to the beauty of this all-original and (only very lightly patinated) example. This spectacular piece comes from the collection of Zaf Basha, a noted authority on Jaeger-LeCoultre who has published two books: Vintage Military Watches: A Guide for the Collector and Jaeger-LeCoultre: The Ultimate Guide for the Collector. Over the years, Basha put together one of the most impressive assemblages of vintage JLC timepieces in the world, and we're thrilled and honor to offer many of them for sale on Analog:Shift.