The Breitling Watch Blog

Sweet new watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre! A big 44mm AMOVOX2 Chronograph, with sweet semi-open dial and titanium case. This is a very nice watch from JLC, and while being a bit edgier in styling, still maintains that characteristic JLC look.

This watch was unveiled at LeMans and uses the JLC caliber 751E. This movement has a 60 hour power reserve and 41 jewels. Beautifully hand-finished movement from one of the best bang-for-buck Watch Manufactures out there.

Look out Jaeger! Dubey & Schaldenbrand is looking to take a peice of the reverso pie with their new Spiral Verso VIP watch, launched this year at the Exposition Geneva! This is a very cool looking watch as you can see from the little video that the guys at Dubey put together.

I’ve always been a fan.. and this one is definately one cool watch!

Movement: Chronograph 3 counters with triple date and moon phase
Self-winding mechanical movement from Dubey & Schaldenbrand Chronometer-quality escapement, stop second
Finish: Hand engraved decorated movement gold finish Skeletonized rotor, blued steel screws
Frequency: 28.800 vibrations per hour
Jewels: 25 / Incabloc
Power reserve: 48 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, 24 hours hand, chronograph, day, date, month and moon phase
Dial: Brossé with 6 blued half spheres set on a brushed dial
Hands: “Losanges diamantés” with SuperLuminova Chronograph hand with vintage spiral (exclusivity DS)
Case: Polished 316L surgical stainless steel, mobile lugs. Blue set crown
Dimensions: 41 x 47.5 mm, Height 15.5 mm
Watch crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal domed on top and on the bottom
Water resistance: To 30 meters
Band: Galuchat royal (24 mm special cut)
Dimensions: 20 mm stainless steel bracelet
Buckle: 16 mm tang or deployant
Special features: Crown on left side
Revolutionary flying case

Do you have an Aston Martin DBS? If so, you just might have to score yourself one of these JLC AMVOX2 DBS Transponder watches, that allow you to interact with your car! Using the Amvox2 system of using the Sapphire Crystal as the trigger (you simply push down on it), you can unlock and lock your doors of your Aston Martin DBS Sportscar.

Crafted of 18kt Pink Gold, the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMBOX2 DBS Transponder watch is available exclusively through Aston Martin dealerships for owners of the Aston Martin DBS. Though the Transponder itself is not mechanical, the rest of the watch is. When this watch was announced I was prepared to be surprised by a completely mechanical watch doing the work, but there is indeed some electronics used to control the circuit.

Check it out:

And now, check out the car!

Looks like watch brands are trying to get in on some of the retail action as well as direct promotion of their own brands. Breitling has some Brand Boutiques in Japan and other places in the world, but none in North America unfortunately. However, Jaeger LeCoultre has opened its first North American boutique and Piaget has opened it’s first west coast boutique, already having several boutiques on the east coast and in Hawaii.

JLC continues to be one of the most sought after wristwatch manufactures out there, with over 1000 people working in their workshops in Switzerland. As their catalog states, their personnel span over 40 different professions masterings more than 20 different cutting-edge technologies required to design and produce over 40 different calibres.

Very impressive.

I really look forward to owning my first Jaeger LeCoultre soon. The catalog is indeed a work of art in itself, with over 270 pages of beautiful pictures explaining the watches and their brand. The pinnacle of their achievement is the Gyrotourbillon:

Like Fungus!

Sorry… I just really wanted to say that. Back to business… the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is probably one of the ugliest popular watches out there in my opinion, and I never really liked them. However, that is starting to change. The lines do not flow, the bezel is clunky, and it usually sports a set of very out-of-place looking Arabics. But obviously the designers at Jaeger are doing something right, because the watch sells.

I am starting to like the Larger Reverso Grande’s, with the bigger face and thick straps. Check out this bad boy:

That’s the JLC Grand Reverso Complication a Tryptique… it is mind-boggling crazy. Under the first watch is another set of comlications on both the rear and the base of the watch.. just too many to list! It won the Watchtime Reader’s Choice Watch of the Year for technical innovation last year. I’m not surprised! (notice it didn’t win for Design 😉 )

In a way, they remind of me Beer and Wine, and Spyderco Knives. An acquired taste, one that develops when a distinguished gentleman reaches a particular point in his life or somesuch. Or maybe it’s just a taste you never acquire.

At any rate, the JLC Reverso is not a watch I like enough to buy, but it is starting to turn my head when I see one. The dials are certainly beautifully made, and the reverso mechanism is machined beautifully to very exacting tolerances. I really enjoyed playing with the one I handled. But in my opinion, the Reverso is one of those watches that is so ugly it is beautiful.

Anyone else feel this way?