Last year, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a limited-edition version of its Master Compressor Diving watch designed with the input of United States Navy SEALs. WatchTime’s Alexander Linz got hold of one and put it through our in-depth watch testing gauntlet. Click here to see the results, along with a gallery of great photos by Nik Schölzel.
In 2002, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new line of sports watches called Master Compressor, characterized by round cases and distinctive protruding crowns. In recent years, watch manufacturers have taken to partnering with various elite military units to emphasize the toughness and professional utility of even their most luxurious sport models. For this Master Compressor Diving watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre teamed up with the U.S. Navy SEALs. The typical Navy SEAL is trained to perform equally effectively in the air, on land, and in the water (hence the acronym, which stands for Sea, Air and Land). His equipment must be rugged and always reliable. At the start of the project, Jaeger-LeCoultre outfitted several SEALs with Master Compressor divers’ watches and took note of their feedback. For example, the testers remarked that the cases and rotating bezels reflected light too strongly and that the surfaces of the watches should be less shiny and more matte. The SEALs also suggested that the construction of the bezels needed rethinking, because they sometimes separated from the cases when the watches were subjected to the SEALs’ tough daily regimens. Jaeger-LeCoultre created a modified version of the Master Compressor, based on their suggestions, at its headquarters in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Called the Master Compressor Diving Automatic Navy SEALs, it is limited to 1,500 pieces, and engineered to be tough and sturdy under all conditions, including under water, to depths of 300 meters. (Click the watch photos for larger images.)
In addition to toughness and absolute reliability, the legibility of its time display is the single most important aspect of a divers’ watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre deserves praise in this area, because it would be difficult to imagine better styling for the dial and hands. The high contrast between matte black and white, the clear typography of the numerals, and the shape of the hands combine to ensure perfect legibility of the time under all conditions — even without nonreflective treatment on both surfaces of the sapphire crystal. In the dark, the watch glows so brightly and for such a long time that it almost seems as though there were a light source behind it. Jaeger-LeCoultre has applied a new, extra-powerful Super-LumiNova to the numerals, indices, and hands, as well as to the little marking triangle on the rotatable ceramic bezel, which clicks cleanly into place in one-minute increments. Each click is rich and resonant, a contrast with the weak clicks of so many other divers’ watches.
The rotating bezel clicks into place in one-minute increments.
The surface of the steel case is entirely matte finished and embellished with a longitudinal, abraded pattern. This gives the watch an attractive technical look and helps to reduce glare. The only downside to the case, from a comfort standpoint, is that the lower edges of the lugs are a bit too sharp. The play between the lugs and the leather strap could also be improved. When the watch is strapped onto the wrist, an unattractive crevice appears between the flank of the case and the matching shape of the strap: an automotive journalist would probably complain about the gap dimensions. If the strap fit more neatly into the case, it would probably be somewhat stiffer, but after a few days of wear it would develop the necessary “give,” and the crevice would be much neater and more narrow.
The choice of a pronged buckle over a folding clasp was a wise one for this watch. The former provides greater security and also makes it simpler to adjust the strap’s length. The high-quality leather strap on our tested watch sheds water, but if you’re looking for even greater water resistance, you can swap it for an optional, linked rubber strap, which gives the watch a very different look.
The watch’s pronged buckle offers more security and is easier to adjust than a folding clasp.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 899 ticks beneath the black, galvanized dial. This movement represents a further development of the well-known and time-honored Caliber 889/2. Jaeger-LeCoultre no longer uses the 889/2, but Audemars Piguet uses a reworked version of it as a base caliber for its Royal Oak Offshore modular chronograph. Like that of its predecessor, the 899’s balance completes 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, but the newer caliber also boasts various improvements. The rotor, which winds the mainspring in one direction of rotation, is borne on ceramic bearings and requires neither maintenance nor lubrication. The gears for the rotor have been newly developed: specially shaped teeth reduce friction and increase efficiency. The barrel has been enlarged and the gear train has been reworked. The teeth on the gears have been given a different profile that improves the transmission of energy and reduces play, thus saving energy and increasing the power reserve to 45 hours. Four screws along the rim of the balance are used to finely adjust the rate. The stud is welded to the hairspring by a laser. All of these details increase reliability and guarantee a more regular rate. Furthermore, like all of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master watches, this one has undergone 1,000 hours of in-house testing.
Caliber 899: the rate can be finely adjusted via four setting screws along the balance’s rim; the rotor winds the mainspring in one direction of rotation.
Surprisingly, Caliber 899 didn’t entirely live up to our lofty expectations when we tested the watch on an electronic Witschi timing machine. We discovered large deviations between the flat and hanging positions, both when fully wound and after 24 hours. And its maximum difference of 12 seconds among the six tested positions isn’t anything to brag about. To determine whether these results were an aberration, we tested two additional models, each also containing Caliber 899, and found similar problems: the greatest deviation, the so-called “delta,” was very large. The average daily rate, however, was good, and this was confirmed on the wrist, where the watch gained very slightly — just a few seconds per day.
All in all, the Master Compressor U.S. Navy SEALs deserves a good report card. The dial’s legibility is especially top-notch, and we loved its appealingly understated look. Thanks to the input of actual Navy SEALs, the watch is well equipped for underwater use, and is thus unlikely to disappoint professional divers, whether or not they are in elite military units.
The caseback is individually numbered and bears the Navy SEALs emblem.
Pros
+ Well-equipped for diving
+ Dial is easy to read
+ Bright, long-lasting luminosity in the dark
+ Very comfortable on the wrist
Cons
– Sharp-edged lugs
– Large rate variations between the various positions
– Leather strap is not seamlessly integrated into the case
SPECS:
Manufacturer: Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rue de la Golisse 8, CH-1347, Le Sentier, Switzerland
Reference number: 162.8.37
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Movement: JLC Caliber 899, automatic; diameter = 26.6 mm; height = 3.3 mm; 32 jewels; screw balance with four weights; self-compensating Nivarox-1 flat hairspring; 28,800 vph; Kif shock absorption; angle of lift = 48°; rotor winds in one direction of rotation and has a segment made of 22k gold; one barrel; 45-hour power reserve; 219 components
Case: Massive, tripartite, steel case with four screws in threaded back; screwed crown; sapphire crystal with nonreflective treatment on one surface; water- resistant to 300 meters
Strap and clasp: Leather with pronged buckle
Rate results (Deviations in seconds per day, fully wound/after 24 hours):
Dial up +7/+2
Dial down +8/+4
Crown up –2/–1
Crown down +3/–1
Crown left +2/–1
Crown right –4 /–5
Greatest deviation of rate: 12/ 9
Average deviation: +2/ 0
Mean amplitude:
Flat positions 320°/261°
Hanging positions 270°/216°
Dimensions: Diameter = 42 mm, height = 14.2 mm, weight = 102 grams
Limited edition of 1,500 pieces
Price: $8,800
SCORES:
Strap and clasp (max. 10 points): Well-crafted leather strap. The matte pronged buckle, with its striped pattern, perfectly matches the case; the clasp is secure and easy to operate. 9
Operation (5): Screwed crown; open or closed status of crown is shown by white or red mark. When open, time and date are easy to set. 5
Case (10): Except for the somewhat sharp lower edges on the lugs, the steel case is impeccably made. The high-quality, neatly crafted ceramic bezel snaps cleanly and firmly into each increment. 8
Design (15): Utilitarian design without many frills. The matte, non-reflective case does justice to this watch’s intended purpose. 12
Legibility (5): The time is easy to read under all conditions. Highly and lastingly luminous in the dark. 5
Wearing comfort (10): A diameter of 42 millimeters, relative slimness, and comparatively low weight are an ideal combination for a sporty watch. This one fits very well around the wrist. 10
Movement (20): Manufacture Caliber 899 is a solid base caliber and is highly resistant to shocks. The plates and bridges are handsomely decorated. 16
Rate results (10): The overall results indicate that this watch had been properly adjusted, but the rate differences between the flat and hanging positions were too large, which caused us to subtract a few points. 7
Overall value (15): No mere wannabe sport watch, this well-made divers’ watch is as handsome as it is tough. Its price is reasonable. 12
TOTAL: 84 points
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During WWII. Lots of watchmaker made watches for military. No surprise JLC make one for SEALs.
As a former owner of this particular watch, i can confirm the test result from the review conducted. My watch was bought brand new from a local AD amd it was already running fast +12 sec ish per day. I took it back to them and they timed it, had similar results with the review above. Afterwards i noticed the minute markers on the rehaut did not align centered to the lume marker at 6, 9, and 12 position. I had the watch sent for servicing via my AD who acknowledged the mis alignment as well. 6 months later it came back, supposedly from swiss as the regional service center did not have the capacity to service the watch.
Guess what? The movement timing still show similar results, and the watch still gained 10+ secs per day. The rehaut misalignment? Still the same. Nothing was done to fix it. This does not include the fact the wacth came back with caseback scratches too. Long story short, i sold off the watch, took quite a loss, but i\'m very happy with the replacement i got, from another brand. I\'d never touch another JLC after the experience.
You do not no the history of Jaeger,look at the Reverso and its origins.I am a diver so I am aware of the obuse a divers watch has to take.If this is tested in the most extreme way in development great.And yes I am in the process of purchasing one over a Rolex,and I am a working man not a rich tycoon.Regards Allen
I think it cheapens the JLC brand to do these types of pieces. Its akin to omega pimping James Bond editions of the Seamaster. No real world SEAL is ever going to choose this watch over say, a g shock, to actually take into combat. They might wear one of these when they retire but that\'s about it. Leave the pimping of rugged watches to wannabe SEALS to Luminox