First presented back in 2005, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph is still available both in dressy 18-karat rose gold (ref. 1762450) and sporty stainless steel (ref. 1768450.) During the SIHH 2010 trade show, the collection has received a minor facelift 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 Master Compressor 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 dial.
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 fine with me since Jaeger-LeCoultre 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 a fiberglass-base fabric coated with aluminum.
Judging by the color of it, the one on the titanium/steel version 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 brands tend to do: the solution once again underlines the hand’s secondary place on the dial.
Jaeger-LeCoultre plans to limit the production to 200 and 500 units for the gold/titanium and steel/titanium versions respectively. Still no info on recommended prices.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox with a mechanical alarm module
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph (Ref. 1768450 and Ref. 1762450) 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-karat gold rotor, built and decorated in-house, Swiss Made
Jewels: 41
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Functions: Date, chronograph, movement operating indication, world time, GMT
Power reserve: 65 hours
Case: Titanium & Stainless steel / Titanium & Rose gold
Shape: Round
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Case: 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