Jaeger-LeCoultre, once known for sophisticated classic brands like the iconic Reverso and the round Master models, has been working hard during the last few years to make drastic changes in its impressive line-up of time pieces.
Although Jaeger-LeCoultre’s hunger to manufacture high-end mechanical movement with various complications has never changed, the brand’s ideas about innovation certainly has! This can be seen in the use of high-tech materials and a switch from sober designs to extraordinary looking time pieces, which draw their own unique clientele.
In 2008, Jaeger-LeCoultre started a collaboration with the US Navy SEALs. Since then, a number of Navy SEALs have been using the specially designed Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm watches during their missions around the globe.
Now, in 2010, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to use this Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs edition as a base platform for their new Incursion Edition, which is exclusive to the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Beverly Hills, California.
The Navy SEALs trace their origin to 1962 (established by President John F. Kennedy), and to honor this, Jaeger-LeCoultre will create 19 pieces in black gold and 62 pieces in gray PVD titanium. The titanium model will retail for approximately US$14,000 and the black gold version for approximately US$ 24,000.
The mechanical movement of the Master Compressor Navy SEALs Incursion Edition is caliber 956, hand crafted and finished with the highest level of care you can possibly imagine. It ticks at 28.800 beats per hour and has a power reserve of 45 hours. The mechanism that allows it to tell accurate time (hours, minutes, seconds) and date, and the mechanical alarm together consists of 268 parts.
With a diameter of 44mm, this watch won’t be suited to everyone’s taste or wrist. If it does however, you can select a dial with either yellow or orange color accents. The dial is furthermore executed in two tone:
– Black outer ring with stamped and luminescent hour-markers and numerals
– Charcoal grey inner alarm ring with circular finish matching the case
The crowns of the watch (to reset time and date and set the alarm) are black rubber molded and located at the 2 o’clock (alarm) and 4 o’clock (time and date) positions.
Jaeger-LeCoultre offers this watch on a black leather strap with matching orange or yellow stitching. Striking yes, subtle no. And though it might seem ironic considering its origins, I don’t see them lasting very long on the shelves.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy SEALs Incursion Edition
