Jaeger-LeCoultre

I brought this Watch with me because I realized that I didn't wear it for almost one year!

So, it was time to give it some wrist time, and to rediscover it.

The dark titanium grade 5 case, big and high, has a certain weight, but is still comfortable on the wrist.

I can't imagine the same Watch with a stainless steel case, with such dimensions ( 44 mm diameter / 15 mm high ).

The dial is very much my taste. It blends some of the design elements, DNA, should I say, from the JLC vintage diving Watch, such as the hour numbers ( Polaris ) and  luminous hour markers ( Deep Sea Alarm US / Polaris 1968 ), closer to the Polaris due to the presence of the date, at 3 o' clock. A date which, for once, is well thought, as its window borrows the shape of the hour markers, " reducing " the visual impact of its presence.

The hour and minute hands are not only nicely shaped, they are also, due to their imposing size, very legible, which is very important, primordial, for a diving Watch.

I regret that the second hand is a tad too short, to tell the truth. I would have made it longer.

The alarm and date funtions are very astute. They are set with the upper crown. In one direction, the date, on the contrary direction, the alarm.

As we are mentionning crowns let's add that they have this " compressor " conception, which you have ot unlock when you want to set the time, the alarm, the date or to Wind the movement, and to lock it, after. The fact to lock it compresses the seals, which insures the water resistance of the Watch.

If you add that to the sapphire glass, it is a zero worries toolwatch.

Two technical détails whichmake the difference with a more sensual Tribute to Deep Sea Alarm.

Since the introduction of the modern alarm movement, the Cal 912, in the Extrem World Alarm, you can enjoy the quick setting of the date, which was quite penible, with the previous movement, the Cal 918.

In the Navy SEALs Alarm, the reference of the movement is the Cal 956, the same movement than the Tribute to Polaris 1965 / 1968.

I am lucky enough to have a sterile dial, I mean an unsigned alarm disc, which is one of the 5 existing models in the world. I love the absence of wording on the dial a lot.

It enhances the purity of the dial, its strenght, too, and adds a bit of mystery.

I am not convinced by the straps coming with the Watch, but you can easily find another solution, and play the strap game with a real pleasure.

A  word on the bezel, which is made of ceramic. I systematically use it when I am at the beach, or at the swimming pool. I didn't notice any ding or scratch. It seems to be very resistant. Same for the rubber pushers, which are intact.

I have to precise that I own the Watch for 5 years, now, and that I often wear it in the summertime. So it doesnt fear the sweat nor the heat, nor the sea water.

Here are the fresh pictures I took during these holidays, now.

At the beach,

 

 

 

At the local Marina:

 

On the old Trieste roofs:

 

I brought it with me even when I was not at the beach. Fro example, during an escape to Venezia.

 

  

Let's end with a few static shots...

On stones,

 

On olive leaves:

 

A last one, in the " Fisherman' s friend style ".

One last word about straps.

This is, like for any other Watch, a very important detail brands and most specially JLC have to keep in mind when unveiling a new Watch.

Too often it is considered like the lost parent. Which is very frustrating, because a nice strap can totally change your perception on a watch.

I found several which work very well on the NSA. One word of caution, though... The distance between the bar and the case is very close, so don't go for a too thick strap or you won't be able to put it.

That being said, I found some nice Natos ( Nylon, as the Cordura are impossible to install, because of their thickness;... ) and some calf without stitching, distressed or not.

The Nato has my preference, when I go to the Sea... Because of its natural water resistance.

Or when the weather is hot, for the same reason.

Anyway, The NSA is a great  companion for the summer, of course, but I realized that I should more often wear it.

With a suit, it would be very " Bond ". 

Best,

Nicolas

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