You still have in mind the Navy Seals Alarm which was introduced last year:
It is a 44 mm titanium case, offering an Alarm into a Diving watch.
Some Diving Watch Lovers wanted a simpler instrument, in a smaller case.
The MC Diving Automatic Navy Seals is made for them!
Here, no GMT, no Alarm, just the essential, the Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and the Date.
While the Alarm Diving watches are the most famous, we don't have to forget that JLC also released, in the 60ies, early 70ies, simpler, non striking watches, like the:
- Master Mariner Deep Sea ( 37 mm case ) :
- The Dolfin ( 32 mm case ) :
- And the Diving Jaeger ( 37 mm case ), which, in some aspects, certainly inspired the Navy Seals Automatic, as you can see on the picture below :
Let's say it clearly, the NS Automatic is with the NS Alarm one of my favourite JLC ( and non JLC ) modern Diving watch.
This one is more than a Navy Seals Alarm on which was removed the Alarm disk.
The visual impact is really strong, even if the case is smaller ( 42 mm ), due to a redesigned dial.
The 6 / 9 / 12 index numbers are a bit bigger, the hands are slightly thinner, as well as the " arrow " on the Minutes Hand, while the indexes have the same size than on the NS Alarm.
The readibility is impeccable, in any light conditions, as JLC opted for a very luminous material for the indexes and hands.
On the NS Automatic, the case is in SS, instead of Titanium on the NS Alarm, but it receives a satined finish, which still gives a relative dark look to the watch, and harmoniously contrasts with the ceramic bezel.
The loss of the Alarm is accompanied by the loss of one crown, but, here again, the visual outcome of this prominent crown is really powerful, and works very well with the rest of the watch.
The case is smaller, but also thinner ( 14, 02 mm high ), compared to the Navy Seals Alarm.
It is hardly noticeable on the pictures, but the outcome is here, with a superb blend of strength and elegance.
The case back is engraved wit the Navy Seals Logo, which is a discrete solution to " sign " the partnership with this Elite Corps.
Don't you have the strange feeling that you already know this watch, that you already saw it ?
To be complete, the Navy Seals Automatic is powered by the well known, reliable and accurate Cal 899, born in 2004, and firstly introduced on the Master Control.
It will be made in a Limited Edition of 1500 pieces.
3 straps are available with this watch: Rubber moulded, as on my pictures, Rubber Articulated, or Leather.
One last point: The price tag will be around 6, 5 K euros ( a bit more expensive for the Rubber Articulated bracelet, though ), which is another excellent news.
If the rumour is correct, we'll see a new Rolex Submariner coming at the next Basel Fair, in March...
I really think that this JLC Diving watch will be a very serious competitor!
So, what is your take on this watch?
Best,
Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-22 11:40:14 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-22 11:41:50 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-26 21:40:14