There are vintage-inspired watches that try really hard to ape the look of the historical model that they?re re-creating for a modern audience, and there are those that strive instead to channel that original model?s essence as a base with which to build new complications upon. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Polaris Chronograph ? one of the standout models from this year?s all-new Polaris collection, inspired by the classic Memovox Polaris divers? alarm watch from 1968 ? is emphatically among the latter. I had a chance to wear and review the steel-cased, blue-dialed version of the watch shortly after its U.S. debut. Here is a rundown of what it offers.

The case:

As far as the chassis goes, Jaeger-LeCoultre has opted to re-create the contours of this watch?s 1968 predecessor to a fair degree of historical accuracy, albeit in a more contemporary size, more luxurious style of finishing, and with the addition of several elements not present in the vintage piece. At 42 mm in diameter and a svelte 11.9 mm thick, the stainless steel case features predominantly satin finishing, with subtle areas of polished finishing on the beveled flanks of the curving lugs; on the thin, edged bezel; and on the surfaces of the curved rectangular pushers and small, notched crown. The pushers are pleasantly ergonomic ? starting, stopping, and zeroing the stopwatch with a mildly forceful press of a fingertip ? and the crown is topped off by a tiny ?JL? logo in relief. The Ocean Blue dial has three di...