Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 DBS Vintage Review
Vintage

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 DBS Vintage Review

By amanico · Jun 17, 2021 · 18 replies
amanico
WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum
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Fourteen years after its initial release, amanico revisits the Jaeger-LeCoultre Amvox 2 DBS, offering a fresh perspective on a timepiece that initially challenged his objectivity as a moderator. His re-evaluation delves into the watch's design, its place within the broader Amvox series, and the collector's dilemma of exclusivity versus iteration. This article provides a timely opportunity to reconsider the Amvox 2 DBS's enduring appeal and horological significance.



Don't get me wrong, I am not discovering the Jaeger Lecoultre Amvox 2 DBS, I am rediscovering it, thanks to a friend who bought it some months ago and who had the good idea to bring it with him. 

No, the main purpose of this article is to re evaluate it, 14 years after its release. 

Indeed, when I first saw the Amvox 2 DBS in 2007, at the SIHH, my first feeling was not really positive, which leads me to a point: When you are a moderator, you have to fight against subjectivity, and let your biased feelings " in the cloakroom " as we say in french, which means " disregard ", which is not easy as you are also passionate about watches...


Why did I have biased feelings? Why was I biased? 

The reason is quite logical: Jaeger Lecoultre introduced the Amvox II in 2006 in the catalog, as a limited edition of 750 pieces in titanium, 500 pieces in black titanium, and 200 pieces in platinum, which makes a total of 1450 watches. 

The Titanium Amvox II: 



The Black Concept: 



The Platinum: 



From a collector's point of view, you could expect some respect from the brand to their loyal customers who bought one or several of the Amvox II " first generation " thinking that it was a " one shot " watch. At the limit, we could expect something totally different: The use of a pivoting case for another complication, such as a GMT, for example, OR... The combination of a pivoting case vertically and horizontally, for the chronograph and another complication. THAT would have made sense and wouldn't have been just another iteration of basically the same watch. 

The Amvox 2 DBS was the first step to other Amvox 2s, the Amvox 2 Racing, in 2009, the DBS in steel in 2010, and the Amvox 7 in 2012, which is an Amvox 2 with a different dial design and a radial power reserve... And that's why I was so cold when I saw it. It broke the relative exclusivity of the concept and it was guilty of / for that.

14 years after, and after having been the witness of all these evolutions, it is time to judge it again, and to make abstraction of this context to just focus on the watch. 

The specificity of the Amvox II DBS is, first of all, that it was released in rose gold, in a limited edition of 300 pieces. It was the only one in rose gold ( if you exclude the Transponder ). Then, it was the first to offer a semi open dial ( the second being the DBS from 2010 ). Note that the titanium was a Limited Edition of 999 pieces. So, 1299 more pieces, added to the 1450 pieces of the first edition...

The elusive rose gold version: 



Other than that, you have the same case dimensions ( 44 mm  diameter / 15, 1 mm high ), the same hands, the same movement, the Cal 751, beating at the pace of 28, 800 vibrations per hour, offering an excellent power reserve of 65 hours, and, of course, the same concept, using the pivoting case for the chronograph functions.


The Amvox II DBS is a true Amvox II, it respects the original idea. It just expresses it in a different way, or better said, with a different style with its transparent center part of the dial which allows you to see part of the ruthenium decorated movement.


Does it have more " cool factor " than the first one? No, I don't think so. Is it nicer? I don't think, either. It is different, maybe a tad refined, less cool, and probably less powerful / brutal than the former version. 

Was I too severe when judging it in 2007? Yes, probably, but now you know why. 

Truth to be told, and to give you an exact idea of my feelings, if the first Amvox II would have not existed, then I would have probably gone for it. Per se, it is a very good watch, original, eye-catching and interesting. 


Best,

Nicolas

About the Jaeger LeCoultre Amvox2 Ref. AMVOX2

The Amvox2 represents Jaeger LeCoultre's approach to contemporary sports timing, offered here in the Steel Black series configuration. This 44mm reference positions itself as a substantial automatic chronograph within the Amvox2 collection, distinguished by its monochromatic steel and black dial treatment.

The 44mm steel case houses an automatic movement and features a black dial beneath sapphire crystal protection. Water resistance extends to 100 meters, while a fixed bezel completes the case architecture. The steel construction and automatic movement provide the mechanical foundation for this chronograph reference.

This Steel Black series Amvox2 appeals to collectors seeking a modern Jaeger LeCoultre sports chronograph with substantial wrist presence. The 44mm case diameter and black dial configuration offer a contemporary alternative within the Amvox2 range, providing automatic chronograph functionality in a steel sports watch format. The combination of size, materials, and dial treatment positions this reference for collectors focused on modern Jaeger LeCoultre sports complications.

Specifications

Caliber
Cal.751
Case
Steel
Diameter
44 mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
100m
Crystal
Sapphire crystal

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
CO
Cookies
Jun 17, 2021

I recalled that I was blown away by the ingenuity of the design. It has a very strong design ID and ties in well with how well made an Aston Martin is. I remembered fiddling with it at the shop, and regretted not taking this piece when it was within grasp. The AMVOX tourbillon is really nice too. When the bar is set so high, the only way is down. Sadly apart from the astronomically priced ā€œbirdnest tourbillonā€, the new jumping hour reverso, and perhaps the mariner diver alarm, there is little on

AR
Artoxares
Jun 17, 2021

One of the things I love about the DBS compared to the first edition is the operating wheel at 6. It shows that the watch is running and gives life to the dial. Best Nicolas

AL
Alfihar
Jun 17, 2021

First : The black dial 😬 Second : Much more nods to the automotive world than the first Amvox 2: Sub-dials / paddles, dial / car counter, mechanisms at 6 o'clock / car brakes, visibility of the mechanism / engine 😬 On the top of that… the dbs look makes a better pair with the Amvox 1 I like the first Amvox 2 but…. The Dbs is far more sensual up to me. Thanks for your post mon poto

AL
Alfihar
Jun 17, 2021

Monsieur a du goƻt... Par comme un certain Alexandre B ;-)

RO
roundel
Jun 23, 2021

I like the pure dial with the simple chrono layout. Mine has been my go to track watch for several years. I’m amazed with how well the case has resisted any scratches despite very active wear. My only gripe is that the original strap was a bit cheesy.

RO
roundel
Jun 23, 2021

One more point: I use the chrono for the running seconds when not timing things. Vertical clutch mechanisms like to run! Also the lock makes perfect sense when you use the seconds hand this way.

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