Jaeger-LeCoultre
aims at positioning itself as the most inventive manufacture of high horology.
In a world of marketing such positioning can often be doubtful but in the world
of horology that we all here like and that fascinates us Jaeger-leCoultre may
well be entitled to think so.
The most
inventive manufacture, so well, Jerome Lambert adds that it is not to the
credit of the management, but essential to the 177 years of history of the
"Grande Maison". For long it was inventive mainly - but not
exclusively - through its calibres, having created more than a thousand of
them. We cannot doubt now and it has been the case for a long while that
Jaeger-LeCoultre's inventive spirit is also visible through many watches.
We must here
testify another example of inventive spirit in a new watch pushing a bit
further the limits of the art.
In fact the
story should not be begun at this year's SIHH but a bit further back last
fall. You can see below a picture of the now named mount Antoine LeCoultre.
This still recently virgin mount was climbed to the top by an expedition of
three men outfitted by Jaeger-LeCoultre who attained the summit the 22nd of october 2009. The three men are Stephane Schaffter, Little Karim
Balti and Apa Sherpa.
The three men
brought three watches with them, an original 1958 Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic, a
Master Compressor Extreme LAB, and the new Master Compressor Extreme LAB2
Tribute to Geophysic, subject of this article.
The new watch
is presented as a Tribute to Geophysic as it is intended for explorers like the
Geophysic was intended for scientists and explorers and as the
original Geophysic was the first shockproof, antimagnetic and water resistant
defined watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the first rugged sports watch of the
"Grande Maison". We'll see that the new watch is supposed to
be the modern interpretation of this credo.
Obviously the
fact that these three watches were worn in the harsh conditions of the
Himalayan climb and brought back in original condition is a perfect testimony
of their relevance in such adventures. Jaeger-leCoultre watches are also
known for their excellent reliability, such performance being checked through
the 1000 Hours of various tests at the manufacture for all watches issued. An
excellent accuracy is also required by the testing done, and even more so in the case of
this watch by the Tribute to Geophysic principle.
So the three
climbers named their mountain by the name of Antoine LeCoultre, founder of the
manufacture in 1833. This mountain will certainly remain linked in our minds to
the accomplishments of the Extreme LAB series. The fact that the new watch is
named "Master Compressor" may also signify that all Extreme LAB
watches will be intended for extreme conditions of use even if this new watch is on
the contrary not equipped with a compression key!
I would have
been pleased to see someday a Reverso Extreme LAB or a Duometre Extreme LAB but
I guess the path chosen is more towards mastering the difficult elements. At
least I'm glad to see that the product definition is clear.
Stephane
Schaffter was certainly an excellent choice of representative of the
manufacture for this mission, not just because he succeeded but also because of
his past and potential. Born in 1953 he conquered the legendary Bonatti du
Petit Dru pillar in the Mont Blanc mountain
range at the age of 16. He then settled in Geneva
from where he organized many expeditions in the Himalaya
and the Andes Cordillera. He is among the few climbers who realized the ascent
of the K2 without oxygen bottles.
His two
partners are also references in their field. Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa, known as
Apa Sherpa, is a chief sherpa referred as "super sherpa". He has 19
successful expeditions behind him and holds the world record for Everest
ascensions. In 2009 he took part in the Eco Everest Expedition to raise global
awareness of climate change and founded the Apa Sherpa Foundation to support
educational and economic development projects in Nepal.
Little Karim
Balti was born at the heart of the Karakoram mountain range, where the K2 is. He spent more than three decades climbing and
accompanying many expeditions. He is now nicknamed "king of
Karakoram".
The new watch
these three men brought with them on the ascent is a concept watch. It is a
concept in the sense that it is aimed at testing new solutions for
tomorrow's watches. We don't know everything about this watch yet,
but enough to share. For instance the calibre was developed with the objective
to have shorter axes for all mobiles with as many things as possible on the
same plan. This objective being linked to a better reliability in extreme
conditions.
We find back
the sandwich structured Extreme LAB case with a movement container made of
TiVan15, a special titanium and vanadium alloy used exclusively by
Jaeger-LeCoultre, and a chassis made either of TiVan15 or pink gold depending
of the two versions offered. The TiVan15 is presented as 15% more resistant
than traditional titanium to traction.
The bezel is
made in black zirconium ceramic.
The right side
chronograph pushers are made of TiVan15 or pink gold and have a rubber cover on
their L-shaped security arms for better comfort and ergonomics. The arms also
protect the zirconium ceramic crown.
The crown is
used as a selector pusher to choose between three positions: the first is for
winding of the barrel by turning the crown; the second is for setting the
second time zone and the date; the third is for setting the time. This selector
system avoids the traditional need for pulling the crown that is a common
source of reliability problems and allows a 100 meter water
resistance without any compression key.
I can do with
the "Extreme LAB" inscription on the bezel. In fact I like it. I
would have preferred it to be alone, without the "Compressor"
inscription at 12, especially as the watch has no compression key.
On a pure
visual point of view I have a personal preference for the pink gold version. I
think that's because of the red colour of some parts on the titanium
version. Still I don't understand why the pink gold version is not fitted
with the antimagnetic properties of the titanium version.
As a Tribute to
Geophysic the titanium Extreme LAB2 is indeed fitted with an escapement
consisting of antimagnetic silicium parts (all parts of the escapement plus the
hairspring). Furthermore the going train (till the hands) is made in a special
alloy that greatly reduces the threat of the calibre being magnetized. All this
allows a resistance to 240 Gauss, that is 4 times what is required by the ISO
norm 9010 for an antimagnetic wristwatch.
The titanium
Extreme LAB2 remains less resistant on that field than the 1958 Geophysic that
was resistant to 600 Gauss, but the Geophysic was a simple watch with only two
apertures in its case-within-case (hands and crown) while the Extreme LAB2
would have required nine case-within-case openings that would have not allowed
such a resistance. So the choice was consequently made to work on the
components' materials and not to make a case-within-case.
The silicium
escapement of the titanium Extreme LAB2 also doesn't need lubrication and
allows low running friction and lightness. That makes the titanium Extreme LAB2
a clear winner above the pink gold one in my mind!
The watch face
shows an absence of dial. We have seen more and more open dials in the last
years and this watch has no dial left in fact. Still it works well on the wrist
in terms of reading. I had already noticed how they could do well on that field
with the Master Perpetual Calendar skeleton. This very technical face brings
also a lot to the concept of the watch.
The back shows
two rotating rectangular pieces, marked with "Jaeger-LeCoultre" and
"Master Compressor". These two pieces can be unlocked to allow the
easy and fast change of the strap. The strap itself is a work of art aimed at
positioning perfectly the watch on the arm and protecting it at the same time.
It seems very strong and comfortable. The production piece should be fitted
with a double sided alligator strap like the pink gold piece shows. As it is
easily changed I guess we will see several options offered.
The back shows
a crossing bridge for the large balance wheel of 11.5 mg cm2 with variable
inertia screws. The beat rate is 28 800 vph. Such bridge construction was
already used in the Hometime calibre (seen last year in the Grande Reverso
976). There is also a protection device for limitation of the hairspring
movement.
The back also
shows the column wheel for the chronograph. This chronograph is equipped with a
vertical clutch.
The face shows
the time (hours and minutes), a little second at nine in the middle of the
chronograph hour counter, a date at three, a second time zone at six, the
central second hand of the chronograph, a chronograph instantaneous digital
minute counter at noon, a crown selector indicator at the left of the date and
a circular power reserve indicator from three back to nine on the upper part of
the "dial".
You may notice
that the watch is easily readable from a normal reading distance but becomes
hardly readable when you get too close ,at least for me!
The case is
large, measuring 46.8 mm
with a height of 16.5 mm.
All that is needed to fit a 33.8
mm calibre with a thickness of 9.8 mm. Still this watch
fitted my wrist comfortably (and that was the same for Patrice as you've
seen). Such avant-garde watches can do well with sizes that would be pretty
ridiculous for more classical pieces.
The titanium
version that finally appears below is certainly much lighter in these
conditions than the pink gold one.
You can see on
the left side of the case a special lever that allows to stop the permanent seconds
hand. When you set the central hour and minute hands with the crown that doesn't
stop the calibre and seconds hand to avoid affecting the precision of the watch.
So if you need to set the seconds hand you can stop it independently by sliding
up and pressing the lever. The hand starts again when you release the lever.
The titanium
version is obviously more sporting looking. If only it could be finally
released without the Compressor indication it would be perfect for my taste.
In fact after
an initial shock I'm finally quite appealed by this watch. It's
really innovative, modern, rugged, and IMO could well out fashion many other avant-garde
watches.
I would get rid
of the red stitching and panels on the strap and would love to get an all black
leather.
This new
calibre 780/781 is certainly the first chapter of a new large family. Its 566
parts count (for calibre 781 in
the titanium version) shows how complicated it is, and especially how advanced
it is. I don't see another modern and rugged chronograph calibre of such
appeal. Split second chronographs may be more complicated, they are certainly
not as rugged. The Duometre a Chronographe shows another very interesting
calibre but definitely not intended for such use.
The buckle
above is a last detail to show how this watch was made as a concept, as a way
to explore new ways of doing things. It is adjustable in length to allow a
better comfort when you need an extra mm.
I know that this
watch will not be at every one's taste. It is at mine! The watch is far
more accessible than the first Extreme LAB, being priced closer to twenty per
cent of the price of its predecessor. The technical specifications are
outstanding and appealing. It has IMO a great potential to become a hit among those
who like avant-garde products, especially when made by a long established and
respected manufacture.
But what do you
think?
Dje