Master Mariner Deep Sea, The Review.

Oct 13, 2008,00:41 AM
 



I'm very proud to introduce you my 3rd JLC Diving Watch, the Master Mariner Deep Sea.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Beside the Deep Sea Alarm and the Polaris, JLC released this watch in 1968, and produced till 1972 some 1532 pieces.

There are some big differences between this Master Deep Sea, the Deep Sea Alarm, and the Polaris...

1/ The Shape of the case:

While the Polaris and the Deep Sea Alarm are classical round watches, this Master Deep Sea is cushion shaped...

The size is not as important as the Polaris ( 36 x 37 mm, instead of the 42 mm of the Polaris ), quite modest, in comparaison, which is obvious in this pic:

.Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

It looks even a bit smaller than the Deep Sea alarm ( 39 mm ).

Here some " Stack Pics ", which are more evident...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

On this last pic, you see that a lot of things are different.

The lugs are lacking as the cushion case is used as lugs, the case back is flat ( domed on the 2 others...), the plexy is more chimney than domed, etc...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

This case is very " 70ies " looking, but elegant, and easily wearable, IMT ( In My Taste..LOL), due to the fact that it is slightly curved.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Note that the case belongs to the family of the " Piquerez " watches, as the Polaris, the Longines Diver, the Universal Pole Router Sub, etc...

That means that it has the specific crowns with their original gridwork motif, and a water resistance to 200 meters.

2/ The finish of the case.

This is the only JLC Diving watch with a sunburst finish of its case, which is suprising, but adds some elegance to this time keeper.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Isn't it lovely?

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Did you notice the fine and nice contrast between the polished sides of the case and the sunburst finish of the upper part of the case?

Magnificient!

3/ The Plexy:

As I previously said, the plexy is more chimney shaped than domed.

Even if I prefer the domed plexy of the Deep Sea Alarm, for instance, this one is not ugly at all, ang gives some strong character to this watch, more appropriate, maybe, non a cushion shaped watch.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

It offers to the watch a lot of warmth, and a pleasant " non perfect nor clean " look, adding some distorsion depending on the angle you look at the time keeper.

Important distorsion here:

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Less here:

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

4/ The Dial:

No futilities, here, just the essential, and a Bonus.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

A nice Grained Black Matt Dial, Thin tritium indexes at 1, 2 4, 5, 7, 8 10 11.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Thicker indexes at 6, 9, and 12 ( Tritium, too ).

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Nice baton hands, tritium filled.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Applied JL Logo.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Internal turning bezel wirth minute indexes.

And the Bonus, which is not indispensable for a Diving Watch...The Date, which is, on this model, metal cercled ( not on all Master Deep Sea watches ).

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

The Result?

As a respectable Diving Watch, the Master Deep Sea is very easy to read, even in dark circumstances...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

And as we speak about the dial, there was an amazing US version, called HPG, another appellation for a high beating movement , cal 164, beating at 28 800 vph instead of the cal 883 with its 19800 vph.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Funky, isn't it?

As for the movement, the cal 883 is not like the the cal 815 ( Memovox Deep Sea Alarm ), or the 825 ( Polaris ), as the main difference is that, on the 883, you don't have this specific bumper rotor which makes this special sound when it winds, a kind of " Klong ".

The solution for this automatic movement is a classic rotor, and, compared to the 815 / 825, it doesn't have Alarm Complication.

5/ General thoughts on the Master Deep Sea.

Not only functionnal and useful, but also pretty nice!

Look at this beauty under different angles...

A Blend of toolwatch, but also elegance and discretion...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

The 2 crowns look maybe a bit too big, in regard to the case, but we don't have to forget that this is a toolwatch, first.

And once again, with the thick plexy, it adds some strong character to the watch!

Character, but also a very interesting balance, that these 2 crowns and the cushion shape of the curved case enhance.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Robust, but sweet at the same time...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

This is indeed a watch to discover...On the pics, you say " wowow ", in the flesh, you need a bit time to be used to its special shape, and it looks smlaller than in pics, but once you get it, once you put it on your wrist, this is a very special, true pleasure!

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

A last thing about the right name of this watch:

This is a bit different depending on the catalogues...

In the 1968 European Catalogue, the watch is called " Master Mariner Plongeur " ( Diver )

In the 1969 American Catalogue, it's called " Barracuda Deep Sea ".

So, what to think about it?

This is a true Diving Watch, of course, less original, technically speaking, than the Memovox Deep Sea or the Polaris, as this one doesn't have an Alarm function, but what it looses techincally, it gains on esthetics, with this special case.

More toolwatch, less refined than, for example, a Deep Sea Alarm, or a Polaris, it is a pleasant, very pleasant watch, a typical example of the design of the early 70ies, but much more elegant than a Polaris II.

A watch to discover, or re discover, and to include in a Diving thema!

Hope you'll enjoy this review!

Best.

Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-10-13 00:43:27 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-10-19 01:52:29


More posts: Memovox

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

To be complete, a pic of the Original Catalogue representing the MM DS

 
 By: amanico : October 13th, 2008-01:03
Best. Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-10-13 01:04:50...  

Very Nice Watch Nicolas

 
 By: gazoz : October 13th, 2008-02:36
and as usual a great post with some stunning pics by the way dont you think you have enough why dont you share your collection with us i can look after these old watches for you and you take the new ones Thx for a great post Garry

Never Enough, Garry!

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2008-11:50

Beautiful watches and heartfelt words

 
 By: nwp627 : October 13th, 2008-14:44
Nicolas, Thank you very much for sharing the pictures of those beautiful divers. You have indeed a fine collection of divers. N

Again a very nice report ...

 
 By: bimbeano : October 13th, 2008-03:30
... on the diving theme Nicolas. It looks like you're becoming the 'Amanico' of diving watches like there is a 'Mondani' of Rolexes ... LOL... This seventies-shape looks pretty funky ... as a little kid (i'm born in 1969) i was always very intrigued by th... 

The Vintage divers Virus is indeed very easy to get, Filip

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2008-11:58
Did you see all these marvels? I was lucky enough to add an Omega SM 300 beautifully patined, a Divine Longines Vintage Diver, a Rolex SD Triple 6 which is honey to my eyes, and an incredible Red 1680, + My 3 Vintage FF ,and these 3 JLC Divers... I only n... 

Oh my God!!, my friend.

 
 By: E.J. : October 16th, 2008-12:57
To that list of divers watches you mention we should call it "the List of Essential Diver Watches". I am very happy for you, for seeing the illusion that you put in your search. See the love that you talk about them is impressive and is worthy of praise. ... 

Wonderful acquisition.

 
 By: MichaelC : October 13th, 2008-08:54
Thanks for the photos

Thanks for these nice pics and watches reviewed....

 
 By: E.J. : October 13th, 2008-11:47
Fantastic reviews about fantastic watches, like always. Nicolas, you should teach how to make a review of a watch....LOLOL. These watches have a special charm. You´re a lucky^2 man!!!!. Impressive three watches, but the girl of my eyes (la niña de mis ojo... 

Nicolas you did warn me...

 
 By: matrix : October 13th, 2008-15:26
about this report a while ago and I must say its even more impressive than I had thought it would be. Very nice collection of the Dives. As you well know, I'm also a fan of JLC Dives. What an unbelievable journey JLC has started from. It truly makes one a... 

Advice needed on this Master Mariner

 
 By: kenttankk : October 14th, 2008-06:14
Hi, I am new to this site, need advise for thie timepiece that I came across and considering to purchase. Since you guys are the collectors of JLC vintage watch, appreciate if you can advise on this piece on the worth and originality. Thanks. This message...  

Hi, Ken

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2008-12:11

Wait a bit more, Matrix,

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2008-12:05

Great review...

 
 By: Caius : October 14th, 2008-08:55
... Nicolas! exactly the type of watches which I like! A beautiful trio, the curl is fastened, as we say in French ;-)

You should hunt one, Caius

 
 By: amanico : October 16th, 2008-12:13

Why are you doing this???

 
 By: Asimut : October 14th, 2008-11:49
has to be a law against it! Now I have to be impatient till the end of the year,,,,,,,,, Loved the comments, Asi

Lecoutre Master Mariner

 
 By: ramedof : June 27th, 2009-09:45
Hello, Your review was great, thank you for posting. I have a nearly identical watch with a metal band in excellent condition. It was purchased by my father in the late 1960s and we are currently considering selling it. Do you have any advice on its value... 

You have PM

 
 By: amanico : June 27th, 2009-09:54
Hi, As per forum rules, we can't discuss prices here, only by PM. In the tube, by the way. Best, Nicolas

Master Mariner

 
 By: c.permann : July 6th, 2009-03:05
Hi! Are you still interested in selling your Jaeger Le Coultre Master Mariner? I would be interested in buing it- what ís the price you are asking for the watch? Do You have any fotos you can send me? Thanks Christian Permann

As per forum rules, answer by PM only

 
 By: amanico : July 6th, 2009-03:12
Hi, Christian, You should put a " Want to Buy " post on our collector market. I perfectly understand your love for this piece! Best Nicolas

Sorry

 
 By: c.permann : July 8th, 2009-02:03
Hello Nicolas! As I am very new in the forum I do not know about the rules- I just saw that Mr. Robert Medof wanted to sell his JLC Deep Sea Master Mariner and that he asked you for the price. I am searching for this watch (and for a deep sea alarm) for q... 

Congrats, Christian!

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2009-02:54
I hope you'll be able to post some nice pics of this lovely Vintage JLC Diving watch! Well, it is a long story, as I missed several Polaris before finding mine 3 years ago. It was even worst and longer for the Deep Sea Alarm. As for the Master Mariner Dee... 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Master Mariner

 
 By: stephan_an_bord : October 26th, 2009-18:34
Hi, I just encountered this Forum, because I am trying to sell a n beautiful watch from my Grandfather. It's an original deep Sea Master, similar to the one presented on the post you responded to. It's in perfect condition, not worn very often and still r... 

AS per forum rules, please post a For Sale thread in our Collectors Market. Thanks.

 
 By: amanico : October 26th, 2009-23:13
This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-26 23:14:58 This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-27 00:04:52