ocwatching
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Great reporting!
Prior to this read, I was only aware of the US version of the DSA and really, I thought that the Polaris was more elegant as the script writing on the dial just killed the watch for me. But after reading, I wholeheartedly agree that the DSA is more elegant. Guess the indexes dresses up this sports watch nicely.
Funny, when I first handled AlexSunrise's Polaris, I had thought in my mind that this was a perfect dressy sports watch. I am going to have to change my mind now.
Nice work and great photos as always! Happy New Year my friend!
Deep Sea Alarm: Why I love it so much.
Let's think about it: Among all the Vintage Diving JLCs, which is the most elegant? 2 of them are in competition: The Deep Sea Alarm, and the Polaris, if we refer to the criteria of elegance, IMO. The Polaris is a beautiful watch, indeed, the huge domed p...
A wonderful watch
Having had the opportunity to see a Deep Sea Alarm vintage watch in the flesh (guess thanks to who (more than one response possible)) I must agree that it is a stupendous watch, both in the US and the European version (and I got to see both). It is true t...
The Polaris is chunkier, compared to the DSA.
And I agree with you on the Polaris 65.... Watches with character, and which bring you a lot of pleasure, for sure. Best, Geroge! Nicolas.
NIc.....stop. Just stop.,you're killing me with these DSA pics...
and seeing as how bloody rare it is... and seeing as how you and JLC, well you know, strawberries n cream, cheese n crackers, you get the idea.. any chance we can have a re edition???? Imran
Blomman, Terence, our Collector, me...
This is a collective fault... To get a re edition of the DSA would be as exciting, in my opinion, than getting a re edition of some legends as the Geophysic, the Pilot watches, the Futurematic, and so on. Like fish ... and ...chips. Best, my friend. Nicol...
Very elegant indeed, yet you're comparing with the uglier sister...
Dear Nico, again thank you for the enlightenment. I wonder how the 65 Polaris would score in a comparison, if you had one at your disposition? Cheers and happy new year, MMK
Yes, I have the Polaris 65, the Tribute, to be precise.
And I would compare it to the European DSA, while I would compare the US DSA to the Polaris 68. The Pola 65 and the US DSA both share an undisputable elegance, when the US DSA and the Polaris 68 share strenght. Different, not less nor more apppealing, jus...
Whats not to love on the DSA...
such an elegant yet sporty watch...my kind of watch ! I just love the Awesome looks and vibe of the DSA. I think if JLC make a re-edition version of this watch it could be a huge hit. Thanks for the post Sir....you da Man ! Drew
Vibe ... Soul...
These are THE words to qualify the DSA. Not as known as the Polaris, but they deserve more than a " succes of estime ". I'm not amazed that you love the DSA... You own a modern re interpretation of it with the NSA. Best, Drew and thanks for your input. Ni...
Watches I can only aspire to!
Great comparison, and thank you for posting. And I agree that a re-issue of the DSA would be quite an event.
Thanks for your enthusiastic input.
Let's hope that JLC does hear us in pour prays to see the re issue of the DSA! Best, Nicolas.
Excellent review of the DSA.
After the success of the TT Polaris and the anticipation for the soon to be released TT'31 I would hope that the creative minds at JLC will realize that it is sometimes better to look toward the past in order to have a very successful future. I would love...
A past to be revisited...
I love that, Neil. There hasa lways been some important place for Innovation, at " La Grande Maison ", and the Past is always present, too. What is the Memovox, if not a reincarnation of the Past? Same for the Master RDM, Control, Geographique and so on.....
The bezel in that last picture is just stunning!
What's the material? The way it catches the light and has an almost pearl-like play of colors... beautiful! I would love to add one of these to my collection someday. It may be a far-off dream, but the unattainable dream is no less exciting
Anodised aluminium, Jason.
Grey is not its original color, this bezel has been professionally redone, but the outcome is really cool. Not an unattainable dream, my friend, it is just a matter of patience ( for the US version ) as the European is truly scarce. Best, Nicolas.
Great reporting!
Prior to this read, I was only aware of the US version of the DSA and really, I thought that the Polaris was more elegant as the script writing on the dial just killed the watch for me. But after reading, I wholeheartedly agree that the DSA is more elegan...
Both the Polaris and the DSA are great watches, my friend.
I would not reject the Polaris for the DSA, but I would not sum the Vintage JLC Diving watches to the Polaris, only. They both are " objects of desire ". Best, Nicolas.
"oh say can you see by the dawns early light!"
love the american rendition of the DSA! J
The problem is that I love them both, the American and the European.
As for the Polaris 65 and 68, I can't make a choice between these 2. Best, Nicolas.
I have the same problem
can't seem to be able to decide between the TTP 68 and the 65. Guess that means that you should simply get both. Same issue with the DSA, cannot seem to make a choice between the US and European versions, which is quite notrmal as the are both very beauti...
This is painful. Bitten by the Deep Sea...
I work up this morning feeling all joy and cheerful. Then see this post. Now the sun has sunken to the abyss. There won't be any daylight until the Deep Sea Alarm is found to waken the sun. Damn you demon:-o I shall not rest until the DSA is found. Happy ...
Don't be sad, Tyler. The Hunt is really exciting!
You may find the US DSA, as some are spotting from time to time. It is just a matter of time. I would be more pessimistic with the European version, though. Be brave! Best, Tyler. Nicolas.
Hi Nicolas, between Polaris and DSA
I have very difficult time to make a decision. I agree DSA is having a thinner case therefore it is more comfortable on the wrist. I actually wear DSA more often than Polaris. Still I love both of them very much, as each of them has unique feature and his...
I wear them both, with the same intense pleasure, Terence.
Don't get me wrong, I love both of them, and if I hilight the DSA here, it is not at the Polaris prejudice. I think that it is not fair to just speak about the Polaris when it comes to Vintage JLC Diving watches, as the DSA has a lot of interest, too, and...
Thank you for sharing this (your) passion, nice work. Question?
Out of the 3 to me iconic JLC or LeCoutre pieces, it is too hard to pick the right one because although very similar they are each very unique. I remember when I first saw an image of the Deep Sea, I thought this piece was a true JLC vintage statement wel...
The problem is
I want them all. Great picture, puts each and every model in prespective vis a vis the other models. Best regards, George
A though question, POY.
The MM Deep Sea is another very interesting and lovely JLC Vintage Diving watch. And yes, I'd like to see a MM Deep Sea re issued in a close future. Still, I think tha the original size wouldn't be everyone's taste ( 37 mm ) for a diving watch, which make...
Difficult to say, POY...
Too big ,and the risk is that the case, which has a special shape, looks vulgar... But it would be worth to make some protos of the case, to judge in the flesh. Best, my good friend. Nicolas.
Pure pleasure!
The vintage JLC/LC divers are pure pleasure! And posts like this! Nicolas, thank you for yet another fantastic post! You know my love for both the Polaris and the Deep Sea Alarm! It is post like this that made me realize that one is not enough; you need b...
Agreed on all counts, except ...
On the True Bastardo. If only I could find one! Best, Blomman. Nicolas.
Vintage beauty indeed
always love your reports , Nicolas . they always come full and rounded and just when i think i know a thing or two about Vintage JLC , you WOW me with more vintages by JLC . and yes i do love how you address the POLARIS as the "bad boy" compared to DSA . ...
You're too kind, Faisal.
I felt that the DSA was under represented there, and that it was unfair. This is a true beautiful watch, to me, with some very nice proportions. Thanks for your kind words, my friend. Best, Nicolas.
I love the dual-time feature...
and can EASILY see this with a black bead-blasted ceramic bezel in modern carnation. Thanks for the wonderful post. -Dean
A bezel ala DSA, in sum, Dean?
I didn't like the too glossy ( aftermarket ) bezel I saw on some of the DSA I had the opportunity to see in the flesh. A matte bezel is indeed nicer, in my eyes. The problem is that most of the bezels I saw came in poor condition, so this question is unav...
how can we not to think about it after reading this post...
... very interesting comparison when putting DSA and Polaris side by side and even Omega SM300, i feel DSA still can stand out among them. the most charming feature of this DSA is that the bezel, the outer dial and the inner dial, the length of all these ...
The Omega SM 300 CK 14 755 is a very charming watch, and one of my fav ...
Vintage diving watch, but the Deep Sea Alarm is unique, due to its complication. Even if it doesn't have a turning bezel, which is strange for a diving watch,but at this time, there was no international rules as we have nowadays. It is always a pleasure t...
Beautiful photos
Thank you for your passionate editorial about these intensely subtle but yet very sporty timepieces. I hope to one day see a Deep Sea Alarm in person. I do like the rugged look of the Polaris, and I wonder if I would like the more elegant rugged look of t...
Class and sporty, that would do an excellent choice for Sir James!
A Submariner ala JLC: Timeless and innovative at the same time. Don't miss the chance to see it in the flesh, if you have such an opportunity, Patrick. Best, and thanks for your input. Nicolas.
Another great review Nicolas!
Surprisingly I like this one more than the Polaris.. It might not be a perfect diving watch but what a beauty.. Especially the European version, with the clean dial.. Thanks for the excellent review again Nicolas! Cheers! Sam This message has been edited ...
If only I could swim with mines...
It is truly frustrating to wear such a watch at the beach and to have to think about letting it before going into the water... I lived the experience many times, and I decided to go to the beach with the Tribute to Polaris, which is far from being a 2d ch...
Yes, I love the TTPs, Sam.
I said that the TTPs were far from being a second choice, which meant that I was very pleased to get them on my wrist when at the Sea. Best, Nicolas.
Agree
Nico, I'm agree on how you describe the dsa. Very well said. It is always interesting me with this kind of design since I'm no real diver but I will much prefer diver watch that is elegant enough to be brought to the party or to meet client. Seiko also la...
Well, Sherwin, when you begin to pay some interest to Diving Watches ...
You find some very nice treasures. I think that the DSA belongs to this category. But there are, indeed, many others, which we don't often mention. Do you have a picture to share, of this Seiko? Best, and thanks for your input! Nicolas.
DB4 vs DB5
Here is my take on both diving watches Polaris and DSA. I think the Polaris is certainly more iconic as a watch. However the DSA is more elegant agreed. Much like the Aston DB4 & 5. DB 5 is more iconic but for the connaisseurs who know the DB4 is more ele...
Well, finding an original DSA, I mean a correct Vintage one ...
Is not easy. An European is almost impossible. BUT you put it very nicely when you compare these 2 watches with the Aston Martins... Wishing you all the best in your quest, Best. Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-11-16 14:21:24
Pierre LeCoultre was French.
JLC has delightfully French aesthetic. I love that the French can solve difficult technical problems but still stay true to their aesthetic. They do it here in the Deep Sea. This and 50 Fathoms seem to honor these values. A true original!
Great post, lovely & cool pics !.. I happened to solve the issue with 2x2 watches !.. so glad I took the decision NOT to choose between them all ! :))
.. but rather to get all Tributes: TTP 65+68 and DSA Europe + US. Best, hs PS: Just for the record: both TTPs are iconic, beautiful to wear, the 65 a tad more sophisticated, maybe - but both great watches. - Vice versa the DSAs are a class above in refine...
