Jaeger-LeCoultre

I'm very pleased to introduce you the Master Compressor Navy SEALs Watches, which are:

The MC Diving Alarm Navy SEALs



The MC Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs:



And The MC Diving Pro Geographic Navy SEALs:



These 3 Watches are made in LE:

300 pieces for the RG Navy SEALs Depthmeter.

1500 pieces For the Navy SEALS Chrono in titanium and 300 for the RG Version.

1500 pieces for the Navy SEALs Alarm.

The Story behind these watches:

Here's an extract from Stefan CIEJKA, in October 2008 ( La Revue Des Montres ) :

"The Swiss Manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre has signed a cooperation agreement with the special forces command of the U.S. Navy, and becomes the partner of the famous watchmaker Navy SEALs, commandos and combat swimmers of the Navy of the United States.

This collaboration is expected to last several years, and will lead to the production of special series, and more limited, which will be tested by operators of the unit during the coming months.

The activity of this elite unit made a test laboratory particularly valuable."

So, this is not only marketting, but a real cooperation, which has just begun, and which will certainly know some interesting developements.

A bit like it is the case with Aston Martin, if you remember well.

Hence, it was quite easily previsible that we'd have something new to see, in the Family of Diving Watches.

I will brievely introduce you the Pro Geo and the Chronograph, as they are an evolution from the MC Diving Pro Geo and Chronograph, to have an indepht view on the Alarm, which is a real new watch.

1/ The Navy SEALs Pro Geo is the one which less impressed me, among these 3.

To say all, I'm not convinced by this one, and much prefer the previous ( and still in the catalogue ) Pro Geo with its titanium case.

Here, the titanium " normal " version:



You can see that, excpet the metal and the colors used for the dial, the RG Navy SEALs is exactly the same watch.

I already posted a topic about this Ti Pro Geo, but here are some of its characteristics:

The Case is 46,3mm big, and ...19, 8 mm Thick ( !!! ), build in titanium grade 5.

Here are some pics to allow you to have an idea of the dimensions of the Beast:







The movement is the Cal 979, which provides a powere reserve of 48 hours.

The functions are :

Hour,Minutes,a movement operating indicator, a 2d Timezone selected on the Cities Disk, and, of course, the mechanical depthmeter.

When you look at the Titanium Depthmeter pics, you now can imagine how heavy can be the RG Navy SEALs version!

Therefore, the RG is looking even more massive!

If the Titanium look corresponds to the idea I have of a ( sophisticated ) toolwatch, I don't see how it could be considered anymore in RG as a Toolwatch ,and I don't see the opportunity of a RG Depthmeter with the Navy SEALs image... ( ??? ).

I just don't get it, but to each his own.

2/ The MC Diving Chronograph GMT Navy SEALs:

Here, a quick comparison between the MC Diving Chrono and the Navy SEALs will allow you to get all the existing differences between these 2 watches, the last one being a quite important evolution of the first.

The MC Diving Chrono:





The Navy SEALs version:



If both watches share the same shape of case, the same metals ( Titanium...and RG ), and the same Water Resistance ( 1000 meters for the Titanium / 300 meters for the RG ), the dimensions are different.

The Navy SEALS is 2,3 mm bigger than the MCD Chrono.

The bezel changed too, for a steel frame Ceramic one.

The internal Pulsometer disappeared on the Navy SEALs, but this last one includes:

A Second GMT Hand, and a Night and Day Indicator.

They both share the movement operating indicator, and the Date.

All these details let guess that the movement is also different ( Cal 757 for the Navy SEALs / Cal 751 D for the MCD Chrono, but the same power reserve: 65 Hours )

The Chrono Counters on the Navy SEALs are more located at the center of the dial, compared to the MCD Chrono, and the layout of the dial is a bit different, which is not easily noticeable on the Press Pics, but you can see it here:

.



Do you see the two different levels of the dial, and the contrast between the grained and the smooth parts?

In Titanium, this watch speaks to me, by its strengh, character, which give it a lot of appeal, to me, and which is conform to the Navy SEALs Spirit.

But in RG???

I don't have pics, as I didn't see it, but I'm curious to see what it would look like...

3/ The MC Diving Alarm Navy SEALs:

To me, this is, without any hesitation, the one I prefer.

I see it as the dign descendant of the Polaris, and even more, the Polaris of the 21st Century.

It is interesting to see that it borrows a lot of the JLC DNA, or Tradition:

- Triangular indexes, like on the Polaris:



- Same Alarm triangle and disk, too, as shown on the pic above.

- Same location of the numbers and the Date, even if the numbers are bigger on the Navy SEALs, and same plain dots of the Alarm ring, too.



And some improvements, in terms of use ( Compressor Crowns and external and unidirectional bezel ), performances ( 300 meters Water Resistant instead of 200 meters ), reliability ( new movement, of course, the Cal 956 which is also used in the ...Tribute to the Polaris, with all the modern technical refinements: The Hanging gong striking mechanism, ceramic ball bearing mechanism ) and pleasure, due to the sound of the Alarm, which doesn't look anymore like a big Frog, but like a school bell, without forgetting the quick set of the date.





Look at this picture, and you will see that JLC also got the inspiration from another Memovox, the Master Compressor.

Same Hour and Seconds Hands, and same stylized ( but bigger ) numbers:



But here, in the Navy Seal, the Legibility is optimised by a bigger surface of luminous material in the hands, and by a bigger and original arrow Minute Hand.

Here may be the source of this original Arrow shaped hand: ( Credit Pic: Clavi )



Even the Second Hand of the Navy SEALs Alarm seems to be inspired by this model!

So, yes, we can say that this Navy SEALs Alarm is a True Memovox, and the dign Heir of the JLC History.

Back to the watch in itself, the N.S.A ( I love this abreviation, it sounds like another great watch, the D.S.A as for Deep Sea Alarm !) is build on a smaller case than the Pro Geographic or The Chrono GMT Navy SEALs: 44 mm instead of 46, 3mm.

It is, of course, easier wearable for an average wrist, and the case and lugs keep some nice and reasonnable proportions.



On this pic, you will better see the shape of the lugs, and the thickness of the case.

You will also admire the engraving of the Navy SEALs Emblem, which is an eagle holding a trident, which seems another evocation of some vintage Diving watches, like the JLC D.S.A, or the Omega SM 300:

Here, the N.S.A:



There, the D.S.A, and the SM 300:



SM 300 SAS, Credit Pic to Philipps:



I'm not a big fan of the Compressor Crowns, but on this one, I think that they are very à propos, like if they enhanced the Tool Watch look of this N.S.A.

So, the whole watch has a very pleasant presentation, sober, with a nice combination of Grey / White / and Black, enhanced or dynamized by the Red Head of the central second hand.

Here, no fantasy at all; only Strengh, as a Tool Watch has to be, for the Legibility.

I managed to take some macro pics of the dial, which are so so, but at least you will have a more precise idea of the finish:









The interesting points are:

The Black and White Painted Hour and Minute Hands.

The Black and White applied indexes and numbers.

The engraved writings Jaeger Lecoultre Diving Alarm 300 meters and JL Symbol on the Sapphire Glass.

And the whole quality of the design of this watch, which is really appealing.

On the wrist?

Just perfect for my average sized wrist, very comfortable to wear, and light, too, due to its Titanium Grade 5 case, which looks like a microbillé case.

Big, yes it is, but also sober, elegant and powerful:



The N.S.A comes with ( AFAIK ) 3 different straps:

An Articulated Rubber strap, as shown on the press pic file.

A Cordura strap, a bit like the one on the DBS or the Amvox III.

And a Nato strap, which comes with the Cordura one.

I asked JLC to put it on the N.S.A, and here is the outcome:



On the wrist:



Interesting, but not really surprising, as the Nato works very well with the spirit of this watch.

So, to bring a conclusion to this post, I'd say that among these 3 Diving Navy SEALs, my favourite is ( isn't it a surprise? LOL ) the N.S.A.

To me, this is a very nice Black Memovox, and a Diving one, too, like the Polaris was 40 years ago.

With this watch, JLC is " feeding " his History in Diving Watches in an elegant way.

I like the N.S Chrono, a bit more charged with its busy dial, but not bad at all,and coherent.

The only one which let me perplex is the Navy SEALs Dephtmeter.

I don't get it with its Rose Gold Case, I don't see the link with this elite Corps, while I would see it if it was in ceramic, for example.

A Black Depthmeter would have really been more coherent, and strong, too.

But, as we use to say, to each his own...

What's your take?

Best.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-01-29 00:26:50 This message has been edited by Dje on 2009-02-03 02:03:14

Hi Nicolas,

Thanks for this great report, these are two watches that I am very interested in, especially the Alarm as it is exactly what I was hoping JLC would produce - namely a legible diving tool watch with alarm calibre. My only complaint - why are they LE's, I just don't get this constant production of LE's, give us something in the standard production line. I could understand it fully with Polaris, but not these.

Cheers
David

Like you, I think that a LE should really be decided for only special watches.

I think that the Polaris is among these watches that my be only considered as LE.

As for LE in general, I agree with you that too much is too much ,and, once again, like you, I'm not found of this kind of solution.

BUT, is it that important?

What I mean is that the most important is that a watch is interesting, nice, appealing, tempting.

LE or not LE.

If a watch is ugly, and without any kind of interest, you won't, I won't, nobody won't go on it.

Marketting is one thing, creating very nice watches is a total different thing.

As for this N.S.A, or the N.S C ( Chrono) , the most important, once again, is that these one are very interesting.

So interesting that, in a extrem limit, I would even say that they don't need any marketting or communication to exist, IMO.

Don't you think so?

Best, my friend, and thanks for your ( as always ) valuable abd passionate input.

Nicolas

That the titanium Navy Seal watches are fantastic and I am very keen on both, probably more so the alarm version. My point regarding LE's is that it makes them much more difficult to come by in the market place. If the alarm version is as popular as these initial posts would suggest, I fear another Polaris style shortage where true lovers of this particular model are unable to obtain it because of the age old issue of supply & demand. I hope this is not the case as I would love to get my hands on the alarm watch, because it ticks every box that I was hoping to see in JLC's 2009 offerings, from a personal point of view of course.

Cheers
David

Hi David, reflecting on what JLC has done in recent years with its popular watches (AMVOX 1 and 2, the Squadras, EWC, EWA, etc.), if the NSA turns out to be popular, JLC will probably reissue it in another limited edition with some slight variation that you might even like more.  Heck, they might even issue it in a larger size in unlimited numbers as they did with the MCD GMT, not that that might appeal to you.  But my point is, if the NSA is popular, I doubt this will be the only and last edition of this peice we will see.  How many versions and limited editions of the AMVOX2 are there now...8, more?  The total number is at least several thousand, so it becomes less and less exclusive each year.

I am glad to hear you are excited about the NSA, however.  You were absolutely correct in your prediction, and I am happy that JLC delivered what you were hoping for.  Best,

respo

Hi Robert,

I take on board what you are saying, but that kinda begs the question why LE in the first place. Instead of offering LE after LE, slightly altering a popular design, just settle on one and get it into the range. Sorry to prattle-on about this, but the LE concept just bugs me, except when it's something like Polaris when it is fully justified.!!

Good to hear from you my American friend

David

I don't disagree with you, and there are probablyt a llot of us who share your view.  Maybe JLC will listen. 

Always good to hear from you.  It has been very cold here, by the way.  Must be time for you to visit the States again. LOL.

respo 

Just read my last post and I seemed a bit angry!!! I can't get angry about watches, especially JLC's. It's not so cold here at the moment, but we are expecting a cold front from Russia over the weekend. As for visiting the States, nothing would give me greater pleasure.

Cheers
David

And we can even wonder if when it comes to more than 500, it is still a LE...

I really think that if you want one, you will get one.

It's just a question of time, when you decide to put your order on it...

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

You are probably right about the size of the LE, ie; 1500 - quite a lot really. I'm sure if I want to pursue this model I will get one. Thanks for your sterling work in your reports from SIHH. I think the Tourbillon perpetual calender is one of the most beautiful watches I have ever seen. Totally outside my budget, but a stunning timepiece none the less.

KInd Regards & thanks

David

And wait, if you were pleased with the MGT Perpetual Calendat Tourbillon, you will also like the Minute Repeater...

Still working on 2 topics to end the JLC 2009 SIHH.

Thanks for your kind words, David.

Best.

Nicolas

I believe it is since I would like to have a NSA as a companion to my MCD/GMT.

 

I do not believe that I will be able to purchase it this year and the fact that it is

 

a LE may make any future purchase near impossible. Additionally, because it is, as

 

you have so correctly said “interesting, nice, appealing and tempting” the possibility

 

of it existing in the primary or even in the secondary market when I am ready to

 

purchase  is further reduced. I only hope that JLC sees the light and adds this watch

 

to its regular line.  Before I forget, thank you for those beautiful pictures and the time 

 

you obviously spent putting together a very thorough posting.   

 

N 

The D.S.A won't be available before the end of this year, and I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to get one in the first months of 2010...

I see your point, my friend, but as it won't be a very rare piece, I don't see re sellers asking a premium for this piece on the grey market.

Best, and as always, thanks for your nice words, Neil.

Nicolas

Hi Nicolas,

I was waiting for this post and very happy with the pictures and text. Totally agree with you; the Alarm Seal is the one. It has some great proportions and a very nice dial as far as you can tell from a photo. So now we have the AmvoxI, the Polaris and the Navy Seal to "choose" from. Great stuff. How big is the case? Probably the same size as the Polaris? Any info on prices for this piece (also same league as the Polaris?). Oh yes and I forgot to say WOW!

Best,

Starman

Thanks a lot for your nice comments, first.

As for the Polaris and N.S.A size, the POlaris is 42 mm big, and the N.S.A is 44 mm.

Why chooisng between the Amvox I, the Polaris, and the N.S.A while they are a whole family of Alarm watches?



To, me, the choice is impossible, as they are so different, but so lovely, too.

Each of these 3 ones is a good and very tempting choice, so good and tempting that I can't exclude one of them.

As for the price, with the strap, it is 8900 Euros.

Count 8 or 900 more for the articulated rubber bracelet.

Hope this will help you.

Best.

Nicolas

Thanks for the post, Nicolas... I have been eagerly awaiting this one.

I have to say that I don't care much for the rose gold version either... I just don't see the point in this particular offering. The chrono is OK, but I absolutely love the "NSA"

I think it has some nice little touches, such as the brand name engraved onto the crystal. I'm also pleased to hear that this will be a 44mm case instead of a 46mm case.

Now, the question is... do I trade my MCD GMT for the NSA? I would certainly find the alarm function more useful than the GMT function. Also, that bezel on the NSA is perfect in black ceramic, and is a very nice touch.

Any idea when this will be available to the general public?

kind regards
Bretta

Of course, I thought about the Diving GMT, as I like a lot this Diving watch.

When I saw the N.S.A in the flesh, I wondered if I would give up considering the Diving GMT.

And the funny thing is that I spent a lot of time speaking of this matter with a very good friend of mine.

The best solution is to get both of them, becasue they really are so different.

Complications speaking, of course, but also esthetically.

The N.S.A is nothing else than a modern and beautiful Diving Memovox, while the Diving GMT is a " Bomba ", as I said in the dedicated post about this last watch.

Both have a strong look, and I wouldn't see the problem to get both of them.

As for the availablity, I was told that the N.S.A won't be available before October...

That means before the end of this year.



I truely share your entusiasm for this N.S.A, my friend, and can tell you that I'm in for this one.

Best.

Nicolas

I have to admit the MCGMT Diver has really grown on me.  It helps that there have been some fantastic photos of the watch posted on this forum.  they are really two different watches, but I find that the GMT's design is really striking, a fairly simple dial but very powerful and balanced.  It would be  a hard choice between these two, but for me mostly due to the choice in complications.  Would one find the GMT or the alarm function more useful?  All things being equal, I find the design and overall end result of the GMT to be more appealing.  True the histroy of the Memovox lineage is attached to the NSA, but so is the history of the diving watches in general at JLC attached to both pieces.

After the release of the NSA, I think I am still looking for the perfect alarm watch for me. Granted, I have not thought much on diving watches, but the GMT could be the perfect diver for me.  And the GMT is also relatively affordable.

respo

THE perfect one would be a Diving Alarm / GMT!

Can't agree more on what you said about the interest and appeal of each of these Diving Watches.

Best.

nicolas

Thanks for the reply Nicolas.

Like you, I'm definitely a fan of this one, it has everything I need in a watch.

At least I will have until October to think this one over. Still, I have some tough decisions to make on which watches I let go to make way for the N.S.A.

regards
Bretta

... not really fan when I saw the press pics, I was really impressed by the watch at the SIHH

I love the MC Diving Alarm Navy, butI am not at all convinced of the legitimacy of other "Navy Seals" "diving" watch ...

So is this one would be your first one???



Was great to meet you yesterday!

Best.

Nicolas

From JLC, the only watches I would like to have first are the MMR and the QP 8Days SQ LooooL!!!

Hope to see you soon, and have more time^^ (but now, I know your hiding) 

And not only in watches...

aaah, By the way, LOL is not LOUL.

Who do you think you're speaking with?

Borat?

))

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

 

 

Thanks Nicolas for the report.
What I really like in this NSA is the fact that the 'un-necessary' indications (the ones which are of no use to tell time), like the brand, model name and depth rating, are 'stealth', so in certain angles, you don't actually see them and they are not a distraction.

Good 'functionality', and certainly something that I like as a concept. In a world where luxury is often mistaken with branding, I think it is a good thing that one can't see the brand at first sight.

Well, it was probably not the real initial purpose of this engraving (I realise it is primarily due to the fact that if the inscriptions had been on the inner alarm disk, then they would rotate when setting the alarm, like on our good old DSA...).
I even suspect that the marketing department might not be too happy that the brand is not under the spotlight anymore

But all in all, that is a good thing I think.

I have always been very sceptical / critical / cynical about the compressor diving range, but I must say I think this new one (the NSA I mean) is finally something I am pleased to see in this range.

YOU, a Vintage Lover, are beginning to let transpire some signs of infedility?

LOL

You're right, my friend.

I too think that this is the more elaborated of the Compressor Watches.

But, as big fans of the Memovox, we may be biased, don't you think?

Biased, certainly, but also exigeant, and I strongly believe that if this Diving Memo would not have this appeal, we would have been highly deceived, and we certainly would have said it.

As for the " hidden " writings, I totally share your enthusiasm.

I'm very impatient to get mine, and to complete my collection of Memos.

Best, and thanks for sharing your enthusiasm.

Nicolas

 

 

The alarm only watch [is that really N - S - A some have the nerves to refer to it?] is a nice and balanced watch. Actually 'could' have made it on my list.

A true issued military watch regardless of what political backgound or regime it served, is a witness of history to me and therefor collectible.

But a marketing endeavour  with a flimsy "the SEALS have tested it for us..." is just an offence to my and others intelligence.

Somehow I saw it coming, and today I must shout it out: JLC lost any credibility.

JLC used to be a silent brand, often refered to as the "watchmakers watch", but with what the brand turned into I have lost the interest.  RIP Mr. Blümlein.

Ilja

It was on to die...

But this is another topic...

Well, not really, as it is quite well known that the Compressor Line saved the " Grande Maison " circa 2002/ 2003.

As for N.S.A, I'm the one to have used this abreviation, first because I'm too lazy to write the whole name, then, becasue it sounded like another great watch, the D.S.A, and not for the reference to some special Secret Service.

About the Cooperation between the Seals abd JLC, I don't see the problem, Ilja.

The watch is ugly?

You won't go on it

The watch is nice?

Won't you go on it just because there is the Seals Symbol engraved on the back ?

Or because JLC will let the Seals test their Diving watches in hard conditions?

Are watches like The Speedmaster or the 6542 stupid just because they were announced as used on the Moon, or by the Pan Am?

Personaly, I believe that the marketting plans don't do all, and I'd even say that it is nothing if the watches are not appealing, which is the most important point, to me.

At lesat, this is my opinion.

Best, Ilja.

Nicolas

Hi Nico,

I disagree that the brand was "several moments on to die".

The only moment I'm aware of, was the so called 70's Quartz krisis. When looking into the younger history of JLC ownership it is significant that after the buy-out of Mannesmann (see Vodafone) the former watch holding LHV under VDO contol which got sold to Richemont started to change the brands marketing and products. This in my books is just the result of the typical return on invest thinking/acting. Same happend to Vacheron as well btw.

So just to clarify, with silent I meant a not progressive and loud marketing. ie. sponsoring elite events and using popular actors for brand recognition.

The Alarm watch is nice and balanced, as said.

The so called co-operation between Navy Seals and JLC is the problem for me and it is so obvious (and some others here pointed it out as well) a marketing. 

Do you really think a estimated $20.000 red gold watch is "tested" by the Seals in real live conditions? I seriously doubt it. In case JLC would have a delivery contract for issued watches and were allowed to sell a limited quantity to the public I most likely would jump to get one, but this way...

"Are watches like The Speedmaster or the 6542 stupid just because they were announced as used on the Moon, or by the Pan Am?"

The hugh diffence is, the mentioned watches were really used by the operations [in case there was ever really one  the moon] AND during that time these watches and brands were not "luxury" as we know it today. So actually the statement is out of context. ;-)

I have worked for the military-industial complex and am able to see and understand the difference between testing and real usage of items. Furthermore it comes to mind that the collaboration between military and civil companies is for a quite different purpose than some bucks for the Seals and nice "wanna-be" for the brand. One could actually put it into the Psy-Op point of view. But this definitely goes to far for a watch discussion board.

Guess we have to agree to disagree my friend.

Take care - Ilja

PS: For Richemont reading this as well: Pls. contact me regarding "your brand".net - I have no longer use of it.

We always " agree disagree " in a very interesting way!



I agree on the fact that The cooperation between JLC and the Navy SEALs is marketting.

I disagree when you say that, even if you find the N.S.A ( Sorry, but at this hour, I feel lazy ) nice and well designed, you won't go on it because it is a marketting watch.

Before being a marketting watch, it is, first of all, a nice watch.

That is the most important to me.

I agree with you about what you said on the Speedmaster and the 6542, ut I disagree if you see that Omega still uses, nowaday, this part of the History of the watch, even on the Speed Case Back...LOL

So, we really have a " agree disagree relation, my friend.



Best, Ilja.

Nicolas