Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox II Racing Chronograph Review

What better illustration than this painting to present this watch?



First of all, because it is a co branded Chrono, coming from the common JLC and Aston Martin World.

Then because if you pay attention to the picture, you will notice not one, but 2 cars, the latest LMP1 Lola Aston Martin, and the legendary Aston Martin which won the race in 1959.

1959 - 2009... This watch commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 1st victory of Aston Martin in Le Mans Race, which is reminded by the writing on the carbon fiber 30 minutes chrono counter.

Then, it has to be said that the Amvoxes Racing were presented for the very first time on Saturday 13th of May, just before the beginning of the race, and a few days later, The 18th of May, at the Paris Boutique, where the event was celebrated with dignity and a certain fever:

Mr Yves Meylan during his speech:



Elisabeth, and Roch:



It is always exciting to take part in the Birth of a watch; to see people's reaction about it, and to remember, a bit after, the first reaction, the first look and impressions...

Amvoxes, I said, because there are 2 versions of the same watch, coming with a black or a white open dial, and different cases, PVD Titanium ( black dial ) or Polished Titanium ( white dial ), but both sharing the same dynamic Racing look, and the same exclusivity ( a Limited Edition to 100 pieces each ) .



- The PVD Titanium Amvox II Racing :

This " black " version has a lot of strength, indeed, but also plays the card of the harmony.

A dark watch, no contrast or almost, with this thin inner silver rings, the white applied index numbers, the hands, and these small orange touches, here and there.

The choice was to use orange instead of red, to dynamize the watch, and to give it this Racing look.

Please note that the 2 watches presented here are protoypes, and that it is not sure that the final watches will receive the same aesthetical choices.

Here, I'm speaking about the black crown, and still don't know if we'll see it in October, or if JLC will make the same choice than on the Black Amvox II presented in 2006.





On this following pic, you will see that the gasket dedicated to the use and the reset of the chrono functions is not blackened, hence my interrogation:



A spectacular watch, to me!

- The White dialed Amvox II Racing :

Things are a bit different, here.

While the Black case comes with the black dial, here, the polished titanium case is associated to ... an exotic dial, a blend of white, black, and orange.





Why " Exotic " ?

Because the very first time I saw it, it immediately made me think of this one:



To me, The Amvox II Racing in this configuration is the XXIth Century Paul Newman, with the same colors ( with the exception of the orange instead of the red ), a kind of blend, of mix between the past and the modern, aesthetically, and mechanically too, of course.





It looks less discrete than the Black dialed Racing, but not less charming, a kind of eye catcher!

The finish of the dial, the contrast between the white and black parts of the dial, all these details give a lot of appeal to this watch.



I'm in the impossibility to say which of these 2 I prefer, but I have to say that I find each of them very tempting.

At least, these are another evolution of the original Amvox II Chrono, which is a vertical trigger Chrono, using the improved Cal 751 E movement.

In both case, you have a discrete open dial, more discrete than on the Amvox II Chrono DBS, because of the use of carbon fibers for the counters, instead of transparent disks.

We can also say that this Racing series is discretely co branded, as the Aston Martin Logo is located on the round operating indicator above 6.

The arrow is now on the hour hand instead of being located on the minute hand, and give more balance to the dial by offering more volume to the hour hand, as it is the case on the SS or platinum Amvox II Chrono DBS presented at the SIHH 2009, in Geneva.

Let's not forget that these Amvox II are not the first JLC Amvox Racing watches as 3 years ago, JLC presented the Amvox I Racing, in titanium with the green dial, or in platinum, with the black dial:





So, it was quite logical to see another Amvox Racing watch coming, to celebrate the ren ewed partnership between the 2 great brands.

I will add that the White Amvox II Racing was tested by Harold PRIMAT, one of the Aston Martin Pilot, during the race, and that its accuracy was ( perfectly ) checked, after.



And now, a surprise...

What about a mix of the 2 Amvox II Racing?

I mean ... The White dial of the Titanium version, with the PVD Case?

Are you tempted?

Here you are:



Let me introduce you the Limited Edition ( 24 pieces ) Paris Boutique.

24...As 24 Hours Le Mans Race, where the idea of this Paris Boutique Edition was born.

The charm and strength of the PVD Case, contrasting with this nice white dial, and the orange hands, is another very tempting offer, for those who were in love with the previous Amvox II Black, but who also wanted something more " racing " even more sporty.

So, in the racing line, it will be very easy to find YOUR Amvox II, and very difficult to not resist to its appeal.

Have some nice dreams!



( Please do note that the car and the driver suit are optional on this last pic... )

Best to all,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-08 03:44:56 This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-11 21:13:00