Swiss Watches

SIHH 2010: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph

Jan 22, 2010 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4296 views

First presented five years ago, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph automatic wristwatch, which is still available both in dressy 18-carat rose gold (ref. 1762450) and sporty stainless steel (ref. 1768450,) has just received a minor face-lift that makes it more relevant on the market that is constantly assaulted by brands like Hublot that never seize to experiment with different (however eclectic may they look) combinations of materials and styles.

The watch is still powered by the same JLC Calibre 752 self-winding chronograph movement with a vertical clutch system, 65 hours of guaranteed power reserve and an air cushion shock absorber system.

The rather large 46.3 mm case in stainless steel and titanium (Ref. 1768450) or in pink gold/titanium (Ref. 1762450, pictured above) mix has also retained its original form except for a slightly thinner bezel to give some extra real estate for the watch’s face.

Ditto the dial layout (by the way, the rotating disc at 6 o’clock plays the role of a second hand.) Even the brilliantly executed fast strap changing system has also remained the same.

Well, that’s absolutely fine with me since the Swiss watchmaking brand evidently simply wanted to introduce only slight cosmetic changes here and there to refresh a little their bestselling sports watch.

However, the watch looks completely new thanks to JLC engineers employing new materials for its face (Including a carbon fiber-like material called Texalium, which is in fact a fiberglass-base fabric coated with aluminum.

Judging by the color of it, the one on the titanium/steel watch is in its pure form and the one present on the titanium/gold version is colored with graphite,) different color scheme for the elements of the “interface,” new faceted hands and new chronograph sub-dials.

As before, the second time zone is indicated in a 24-hour format with a rather thin secondary hour hand that, due to its matte grey color is somehow lost on the grey background of the dial. By the way, it is nice to note that the GMT hand is positioned below the main hours and minutes hands, not above them as some watchmakers tend to do: the solution once again underlines the hand’s secondary place on the dial.

Jaeger-LeCoultre plans to limit the watch’s production to 200 and 500 units for the gold/titanium and steel/titanium versions respectively. Still no info on recommended prices.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph (Ref. 1768450 and Ref. 1762450) watch specification

Price range: Discontinued model. Rose gold and titanium model is usually sold at $20,000 – $25,000 in mint or unworn condition
Winding: Automatic
Movement: JLC Calibre 752, 279 parts, 5.6 mm in height, 22-carat gold rotor, built and decorated in-house, Swiss Made
Jewels: 41
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Complications: Date, chronograph, movement operating indication, world time, GMT
Power reserve: 65 hours
Case material: Titanium / Stainless steel or Titanium / Rose gold
Bezel material: Titanium or Rose gold
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal caseback
Case size: 46.30 mm
Lug to lug: 55.00 mm
Case height: 17.00 mm
Dial: Black
Hands: Steel or Rose gold
Strap: Leather strap or Rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating
Water resistance: 100 meters