A quick view on the two most innovative watches in the world.

Oct 20, 2014,00:18 AM
 

While I was trying to find something in my hard disc, I fell on some pictures and documents about what has to be considered as the two most innovative watches in the world, two watches we have almost no chance to see in the real life, though, the Jaeger-Lecoultre Extrem Lab One, and the Ulysse Nardin InnoVision.
 
The InnoVision ( I have no other choice than borrowing press files pictures, as, sadly, I could never see one in the real ) :
 
 
 


 
 
The Extrem Lab One:

 
 

 




 
 
Indeed, the Extrem Lab One and the InnoVision are two Laboratory watches, the first being  confidentially sold ( 3 to 5 pieces per year ),  and I am quite sure the second is a prototype, not for sale.
 
Both have in common a very strong look, whose purpose is to enhance their original technicity, the oil free movements.
 
Both came with their own solutions and ideas at the same time, in 2007!
 
But each of these two is following its own path, in a mutual respect and consideration.
 
Here is what Ulysse Nardin wrote about the work on lubrification free movements:
 
" Many colleagues and competitors have been working on this objective for decades.

A movement working literally forever, not requiring any maintenance at all, must be every watch engineer’s dream.

Ulysse Nardin is not alone in the pursuit of a solution to this problem, and we appreciate every step taken in this direction – including those of our competitors. The approach to apply a durable dry coating of a non-displacing lubricant is very interesting, and we take our hat off to the engineers of Jaeger-LeCoultre, also for their intensive research on the oscillator to improve precision.

- Tissot’s Astrolon created a sensation with its plastic mobiles (Polyoxymethylene) directly running on steel pins with no lubrication at all. "

 
Hats off to them, for their humility and fair play.
 
The Extrem Lab One is certainly a watch to live with, as it offers a second time zone, an AM / PM Indicator, a date and a very original and comfortable articulated strap, when the InnoVision  is a ... Freak, a watch without crown, a monster of technicity and originality, which needs some time to get used to, especially when you want to read the time, less " easy " than an Extrem Lab One.
 
Here is a link on the Extrem Lab One:
 
 
  jlc.watchprosite.com
 
 
And here, a link on the InnoVision, for those who want to know more about these two horological UFOs.
 
 
http://ulyssenardin.
 
 
Fighting against the old problem of lubrification is maybe one of the most important challenge of modern horology.
 
In that matter, JLC and Ulysse Nardin excel, like no other brand.
 
Best,
 
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-20 00:18:38 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-20 02:44:46 This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-23 22:18:48

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Both of these are views into the next generation.. The UN, even more dramatically, the EL.

 
 By: hs111 : October 20th, 2014-02:24
.. appears to be a bit easier to understand ; Strangely, when I first had seen pics from the JLC -EL, I somehow felt " clueless". - the more often I see it, the more I can relate to that Next Generation time pieces, also from a usage point of view: about ... 

Oops, I edited the link. Thanks for warning me!

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2014-02:49
It is interesting to see how much we can be attracted by these Lab watches, and by more classic ones. There is a lot to fascinate us, in these two watches. Thanks for your opinion, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Exreme lab

 
 By: proestak : October 20th, 2014-06:36
Dear Nicolas, Thank you for your excellent post. Master extreme lab is my favorite dream watch from JLC since 2007. The problem is, as you wrote in a previous post, that the Swatch Group patented the use of silicon escapement. Let's hope that JLC will fin... 

I have the same hopes, Yannis.

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2014-06:58
But I have the feeling JLC is giving up these " Lab Solutions ".... We'll se, in the one or two years to come. Thanks for reading. Best, Nicolas

Thank you Nicolas for your answer

 
 By: proestak : October 20th, 2014-07:43
After reading your answer i must confess that i have already miss Jerome Lambert. Best Yannis

We are many to miss him, indeed.

 
 By: amanico : October 20th, 2014-08:07
Even if I know where to find him. ;) Let's give some time to time, and to the new CEO. January 2015 and the SIHH are not too far from now. Best, Nicolas

So lets wait wait the next SIHH to see.

 
 By: proestak : October 20th, 2014-09:22
Best Yannis

Extreme LAB...

 
 By: cory : October 20th, 2014-20:26
I have always had a 'romance' with the JLC LAB and I really do hope they bring back the LAB solutions to concept timepieces. Guess we will have to wait and see. I too mis Jerome!

I will not deny any of the two...

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : October 20th, 2014-13:16
Their place in this title... But I would add a third - The GP Constant Escapement! Not an oil free movement but innovative for sure! :) Best Blomman ...  

Even if the movement technicalities...

 
 By: watchme : October 21st, 2014-07:55
aren't seen too soon (although at the original press time, I believe JLC said they they wanted to see these innovations incorporated in all their timepieces within 7 years), I would dearly love to see the strap-adjustment on the case (the 3-notched should... 

Well, you have the strap adjustment on some high end JLC watches, too....

 
 By: amanico : October 21st, 2014-08:29
Such as the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie, if I remember correctly, and on another more recent high end JLC Watch, too... But like you, I do hope to see such an improvement on other and more affordable watches.... Best, Nicolas

2 brands which have a history or pursuing excellence...

 
 By: MichaelC : October 21st, 2014-08:27
Innovation, technology - many times finding a simpler way to do things. And attitudes to be applauded. Good refresher of these two watches and brands.

The Beast...

 
 By: RG1 : October 24th, 2014-05:09
is for Extreme Lab One, the design, the technology, just superb imho :-) Thanks Nicolas.. Regards, Ronald

I must confess that I thought more than once about this watch.

 
 By: amanico : October 24th, 2014-22:30
But getting this Watch is not very realistic, in terms of price and rarity... Best, my friend. Nicolas

ehhm...what about the Swatch Sistem51?

 
 By: Arie - Mr Orange : November 18th, 2014-03:52
....

I have tough time comparing the cheap plastic case System 51 and these two. ;)

 
 By: amanico : November 18th, 2014-03:57
Mechanically speaking, wher's the revolution, and the big steap ahead? Plastic case? Hamilton ( or was it Benrus, or both? ) did that for militaries, in the 60ies. During the Vietnam War. Best, Nicolas

lol understood

 
 By: Arie - Mr Orange : November 18th, 2014-05:35
Well, the maintenance free part. Plus the fact it only has 51 parts and is fully assembled automated? 90hrs power reserve. I mean plastic or not, some credits are due.