tuesday December 2nd, 2008

Shooting

Brand sagas

Expert advice

Test Bench

to know more about Jaeger-LeCoultre

Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph

Sport and technology

The Watch Quote™ - November 3rd, 2005

Presented at the last Geneva SIHH, the completely new Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph is the perfect blend of sport and cutting edge technology. A real “sporting showcase” it has the first chronograph caliber with automatic winding to be produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Watch Quote couldn’t ignore an event like this. We’ve taken advantage of the arrival of Emmanuel Coindre, adventurer and ambassador of the brand, who flies the flag of Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph in all his achievements, to introduce you to this “extraordinary” marvel of watch making.

A movement from high quality manufacture

For its first automatic chronograph movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture has developed a high-frequency movement of 28,800 alternations per hour and has opted for a column wheel. With a display of several time zones on a disk run by a hand with two arms that completes one rotation every 24 hours, the Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph is equipped with the famous “in-house” compression keys and provided with a completely new shock absorber system. This enables energy from shocks and vibrations to be absorbed, considerably limiting their effects. Its 72-hour power reserve, achieved with two spring drums, increases the range within which the watch can operate at optimum precision and provides its owner with the certainty of being able to read the exact time.

When the chronograph is started, it instantly sets off the second hand round the dial with no flickering, thanks to the choice of a vertical rather than the usual horizontal clutch. The solution chosen by the Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers is more complex but is the only one that can guarantee operating precision and the exact measure of time intervals simultaneously. In the event of shock, unlike the horizontal system, the vertical clutch system prevents the chronograph from stopping unexpectedly, often the origin of time lag in time measurement.

The compression knob

Among the distinctive features of this new model are the two compression knobs, at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The watchmakers of the Manufacture cannot find a solution without immediately wondering whether they could come up with a yet more sophisticated invention. Such was the case with the compression key that became a compression knob, in order to exclude any possible concerns that a false move during use might bring about

On the wrist

Uncompromisingly sportive, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Extreme World won’t go unnoticed during dinners in town, and neither will the size of its case! A real tool for the hardened adventurer, his struggle, and preferred terrain, it gives the impression of being ready to go with you to the four corners of the world. Extremely ergonomic, comfortable to wear right from the start, its impressive XXL size is compensated for by the use of lightweight titanium. Both reassuring and technical, the object has something really magical about it.

Another privilege of the Extreme World: an easily exchangeable bracelet

The Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph comes with two bracelets. According to your needs, simply press a button specially fitted into the case-back to exchange the alligator bracelet with a magnificent and very sportive rubber strap.

the technical characteristics

Movement

• Mechanical automatic movement, JLC Calibre 752, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand

• 28,800 vibrations per hour

• 72-hour power reserve

• 279 parts

• 41 jewels

• 5.6 mm high

• 22-carat gold oscillating weight segment

Functions

• Hours, minutes

• Date indication

• Power-reserve indication

• Chronograph: hour and minute counter, centre second

• Simultaneous indication of the 24 time-zones

Dial

• Titanium/stainless steel model : black

• Titanium/platinum model : palladium grey

• Luminescent numerals

• 8 luminescent hour-markers

Hands

• Local hour and minute: trapeze-shaped in rhodium-plated brass, openworked

• Others: white or red-lacquered brass

Crown

• 1 crown at 3 o’clock to start the watch and adjust the date. Crown equipped with a compression key

• 1 crown at 10 o’clock to action the city flange

• 2 push-buttons at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock for chronograph functions. Push-buttons equipped with compression wing-nuts

Case

• ø 46.3 mm in titanium/stainless steel and in titanium/platinum, limited series of 200

• Shock-absorber

• 1000 Hours Control symbol on the case-back

• Cambered sapphire crystal, hardness n°9

• System of interchangeable straps integrated with the case

• Water-resistance at 100 metres

Straps

• Matt alligator leather with double-stiched with folding clasp in stainless-steel or in 950 platinum

• Black rubber with stainless steel or 950 platinum clasp supplied with the watch

References

• Titanium/stainless steel: Q176 84 70 9 850 euros

• Titanium/platinum: Q176 64 40 19 500 euros (Edition Limited Edition 200 pieces)

Opinion of The Watch Quote

A watch destined for adventure and adventurers with a capital « A ». A feat that highlights all modern watch making technology adapted to extremes. The Jaeger-LeCoultre designers and engineers who have participated in the development of the “Extreme World” have put their name to a real achievement by delivering an absolutely faultless watch. As well as developing and combining the skills necessary to the work of producing such an instrument, they have brought their famous Manufacture into the very closed circle of brands capable de offering exceptional ultra-sportive watches. An entrance by the main door that deserves to be remarked upon…consider it done!