Name: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date Q9068670
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
SKU: Q9068670

The Polaris Date 42mm is Jaeger-LeCoultre's working sport watch , a modernized descendant of the 1968 Memovox dive watch, built for daily use at a serious depth rating. At 200m water resistance with an inner rotating countdown bezel, it puts real tool-watch credentials behind the Manufacture name. Collectors arrive here wanting JLC's in-house movement and build quality without the dress-watch context of the Reverso or Master lines.

What it is

The Polaris name was revived in 2018 as part of JLC's first comprehensive sport line, replacing the aging Master Compressor family. The Q9068670 runs the caliber 899AC, a 35-jewel automatic with a 70-hour power reserve and column-wheel construction , a meaningful step up from the entry movements in some competitors at this price tier. The 42mm case occupies the middle of the current Polaris Date range, which also spans 36mm and 41mm references.

No significant mid-production movement or case change has occurred on this reference since its 2018 introduction. The integral bracelet option and rubber strap variant are both factory configurations, not aftermarket modifications.

Buying notes

Inspect the inner rotating bezel for even rotation and positive click engagement , the mechanism is exposed to water and debris and does show wear on pre-owned examples that were used hard. The crown and case back gaskets are the first service items to degrade on dive-rated watches; ask for any service history and pressure-test documentation. Check the date wheel alignment at midnight: a slow-setting or partially-advanced date can indicate a worn setting lever or a movement that has been serviced without OEM parts.

The bracelet on early 2018-2019 production units had reported reports of clasp flex under daily wear; later production tightened the tolerances, so look at the clasp stamping date if buying vintage-adjacent new-old-stock.

Market read

The Polaris Date 42mm trades in the $5,500-$7,500 range on the secondary market, roughly 20-30% below current retail, which is a normal spread for a steel sport watch from a non-Rolex manufacture. No significant grey-market premium exists here the way it does for Aquanaut or Submariner references. The rubber-strap configuration occasionally commands a modest $200-400 premium over bracelet examples simply due to availability.

If you are comparing to the Aquis or Pelagos in the same price band, the JLC argument is a more complex in-house movement and manufacture credibility at the cost of a thinner resale floor.

Service expectations

The caliber 899AC is a full JLC manufacture movement, serviced at JLC boutiques and a small number of certified independents at roughly $800-1,200 depending on parts needed. JLC recommends a service interval of around 7 years for the Polaris line given its water-resistance requirements, though heavily used dive-rated watches benefit from gasket inspection every 3-4 years. Budget for a pressure test at every service given the 200m rating.

Editorial copy is AI-drafted from primary sources and reviewed by Grail Atlas before publication. Where the text is uncertain about a fact, it says so. Email corrections@grailatlas.com if something reads wrong. Signals on this page (community, OSINT) are clearly separated from the editorial sections.

Mass-produced#2 in familyOfficial press photos

Condition affects price

Pre-owned watches trade across a wide condition spectrum. These ranges are typical for the secondary market.

New Old Stock

Unworn example retaining original packaging, tags, and warranty documentation.

+30–50% vs median

Unpolished

Worn but the case has never been polished; original brushed and polished surfaces are intact.

+15–25% vs median

Polished

Case has been professionally or amateur polished at some point; edge definition is softened.

-15 to -5% vs median

Recently Serviced

Movement has been recently serviced with documented service records; case condition varies.

At median

Project

Needs service, has dial or hand issues, non-original parts, or other remediation before daily wear.

-50 to -25% vs median

Full condition grading guide →

Market price

$6,000–$8,500

steel·2026 Q2

Price trend chart coming soon

The Polaris Date revived a beloved vintage JLC sport reference and trades at a modest premium over retail; the vintage-inspired design has broadened JLC's collector base among sport-watch enthusiasts.

Editorial estimate, 2026 Q2. Actual prices vary by condition, date, and box/papers status.

Movement tier: unclassified · caliber JLC Cal. 899AC: in-house automatic with date, 28,800bph, 43h PR, 32j; anti-shock device · 43h power reserve · see-through caseback · 1 other here share it

Medium-large: suits wrists 6.5 in+ (16.5 cm+)

42 mm case. Wears confidently on average to larger wrists. May overhang on slender builds.

Not yet rated

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Authentication

The inner rotating chapter ring is the Polaris's functional dual-time signature; any Polaris Date with a non-rotating or stuck inner ring needs service before purchase.

Known issues in the market

Inner rotating chapter ring stuck or non-functional; the ring is operated from crown position 1 and seizing indicates service need.
Bezel insert condition on rotating bezel variant; the Polaris bezel can accumulate damage and replacement with non-original inserts occurs.
Cal. 899AC service interval; JLC recommends service every 5 years and movements past that interval without service records are a value concern.

Area	What to check	What is correct	Red flag
case	Inner rotating chapter ring function	Chapter ring rotates smoothly when crown is in position 1; ring clicks into each hour position; ring is clearly visible inside the outer chapter ring	Chapter ring that does not rotate; rotation requiring excessive force; chapter ring that rotates freely without detents (indicating detent spring failure)
case	Rotating outer bezel	Unidirectional rotating bezel with correct Polaris markings; firm click action; bezel insert is intact and correctly seated	Bidirectional bezel on a reference that should be unidirectional; loose bezel rotation; insert with chips, cracks, or discoloration
dial	Date at 3 o'clock and dial printing	Date window at 3 o'clock with correct JLC font; dial text reads "POLARIS DATE" or configuration-correct text; indices and hands match the reference specification	Missing date window on a Date reference; incorrect dial text; hands or indices inconsistent with Polaris Date configuration
movement	Cal. 899AC	Cal. 899AC visible through exhibition caseback; JLC-signed rotor; automatic winding rotor swings smoothly; 38-hour power reserve	Non-JLC movement at caseback; rotor that does not swing freely; movement architecture inconsistent with Cal. 899AC
caseback	Exhibition caseback and water resistance	Exhibition sapphire caseback showing Cal. 899AC; 200m water resistance indicated; caseback gasket intact and correctly seated	Fogging inside the caseback indicating gasket failure; caseback that is not properly seated; water resistance claim without intact gasket

Common legitimate replacements

Chapter ring detent springs are a known service item; any non-functioning chapter ring requires authorized JLC service.
Bezel inserts are replaced after damage; verify replacement is JLC-correct specification.
Rubber straps are replaced frequently; original JLC rubber strap with JLC deployant buckle is preferred for value.

Expert resources: JLC serial database through Jaeger-LeCoultre customer service. WatchUSeek JLC Polaris thread. Cal. 899AC service documentation available through JLC authorized service centers. Polaris Date configuration verification through JLC warranty card or purchase documentation.

Authentication guide

Last reviewed June 2026

The Polaris Date revives JLC's 1968 Memovox Polaris dive watch aesthetic with a modern movement. The distinctive inner bezel rotation mechanism and the triple-crown layout are the most distinctive authentication points specific to this reference.

Known reproduction risks

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HIGH RISK

Missing or non-functional third crown

Only two crowns rather than three
A crown present that is decorative and does not operate any function

The three-crown layout is the defining visual feature of the Polaris. A two-crown watch is not a Polaris Date.

MEDIUM

Inner bezel that does not click

Bezel rotates freely without indexed positions
Bezel does not respond to the 10 o'clock crown

Dial variants by era

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Era	Description	Identifiers
2018 to present (current generation)	Silver, blue, or green dial with bold applied Arabic numerals and indices in a sports/dive watch layout. Rotating inner bezel for elapsed time. Date at 6 o'clock.	Three crowns at 2, 4, and 10 o'clock: crown at 10 operates the inner rotating bezel; crowns at 2 and 4 are for time setting and date correction Inner rotating bezel visible through the crystal: the aluminium ring with minute scale rotates independently of the outer case Bold applied Arabic numerals at 12, 6, and 9; applied indices at remaining positions Date at 6 o'clock, integrated with the dial design "POLARIS DATE" text on the dial Steel bracelet or rubber strap with Polaris-specific clasp geometry

Service part flags

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Three-crown system

Original: Three independently functioning crowns. Crown at 10: operates the inner rotating bezel (click action, bidirectional). Crown at 4: screw-down, for date correction and time setting. Crown at 2: secondary function crown (on some variants, for a second timezone or alarm; on the Date, typically for an inner bezel lock or time set). All crowns should operate smoothly without side play.

Replacement tells

Any crown with excessive side play at the stem -- correctly fitted crowns have no wobble when extended
Crown that does not operate its intended function -- test each crown for correct response
Missing or replaced crown tube visible as a color inconsistency at the case flank

Inner rotating bezel

Original: Aluminium inner bezel ring with minute scale. Rotates via the 10 o'clock crown. Should click at each minute position with consistent resistance.

Replacement tells

Inner bezel that free-spins rather than clicking at each minute position
Bezel scale that is misaligned relative to the case centerline when the crown is in the neutral position
Non-aluminium bezel ring (aftermarket steel or ceramic substitutes are occasionally fitted)

Case back markings

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All current Polaris Date production

Exhibition caseback with "JAEGER-LECOULTRE" and serial number
Cal. 898A or variant engraved on movement plate
Reference Q9068670 on caseback or between the lugs
Water resistance rating (200m) engraved on caseback
"POLARIS" text on caseback in current production

Movement tells

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The three-crown system requires gasket replacement at each service to maintain 200m water resistance -- ask for pressure test documentation
Inner bezel mechanism should be cleaned at service; the detent spring that produces the click is a wear item

Sources: JLC Polaris Date specifications; WatchProSite -- JLC Polaris thread.