In 2012, Jaeger-Lecoultre unveiled two watches: The Deep Sea Chronograph Vintage, and the Deep Sea Chronograph.
One very sensual, the " Vintage ", with its Deep Sea Alarm case and non turning bezel:
The other more technical and cold, with its sapphire glass, the turning bezel, and the chronograph operating indicator:
This year, JLC introduced a variation of the Deep Sea Chronograph, with a bigger case ( 44 mm, so 2 extra millimeters compared to the " normal "' Deep Sea Chronograph and 3, 5 extra millimeters compared to the Deep Sea Chronograph Vintage ), and a new material used for the case, a blend of ceramic powder and aluminium, aluminium for the lightness, ceramic for the hardness, called Cermet.
The dial doesn't change, as you will still find the 3 subdials configuration, and the original chronograph operating indicator, as well as the water resistance, which is 100 meters.
The movement is, of course, the same, as well, the Cal 758, automatic, as it has to be in a diving Watch, offering a good 65 hours power reserve, and beating at the modern pace of 28 800 vibrations per hour.
Once all these details and informations reminded, the purpose of this essay is to know how I feel it, after almost a month spent with it on my wrist.
I wrote it, and I will be honest, this is not my favourite Deep Sea Chronograph, since I much prefer the " Vintage " for its sensual and charming look, and still prefer it after this test time, but, BUT... I had the answers to my questions, it was a friendly companion, which worked flawlessly, accurately, and it standed the different water resistance, heat and small shocks tests in a satisfactory way.
Let's see all this in the details, and in pictures.
1/ The case:
With 4, 5 mm more millimeters than the original model born in 1959, the risk was to totally ruin one of the most interesting detail of this Watch.
Let me say, at my biggest surprise, that this bigger size doesn't remove the beauty and the elegance of this case, which is, with the Ultra Thin line, my favourite.
The profile of the case and the long and slim lugs are just superb. It is difficult to imagine that this Watch is 44 mm big!
The black case back borrows from its elder brothers the same charming engraving.
Definitely, the case is still one of the biggest and most interesting detail of this Deep Sea Chronograph.
The feeling on the wrist is, without surprise, very positive. Light, it perfectly AND comfortably sits on the wrist, on any wrist which has an average size ( mine is 17 centimeters big, for your information ).
For example, when you compare it to another JLC Diving Watch, the Navy SEALs Alarm, the case is much more pleasant, much less high, and lighter, too, so, to make it short, more wearable.
The two beast, side by side:
Another important detail: I was authorized by JLC to take some risks with the Watch. After all, it has been said that ceramic has been used for the case because of its hardness ( which doesn't mean it is indestructible ).
You know me quite well, as a Watch lover, I always avoid to put my watches ( or my friends' watches ) in a dangerous situation, but what happened had to happen.
Before diving from a rock, in the sea, I slipped, and the Watch and my wrist hurted the rock. For a few minutes, I avoided looking at the case which hurted the rock...
... Nothing! No hint at all. The Watch protected the wrist, with no damage to the lug which hurted the rock.
Though, I am not a fan of these trendy black cased watches, and even if they offer an enhanced presence, I much prefer the classic stainless steel or slightly grey titanium look.
2/ The crown and Chronograph pushers:
Another nice detail, which reminds us some great creations from the Past, and especially a detail borrowed to the Polaris, the gridword decoration we find on the crown, AND also on the top of the pushers.
With two reserves:
- I would have preferred a bigger crown, to give an even stronger appearence to the black case.
- I would have appreciated a system which allows a better resistance to water.
We know that JLC didn't make classic screw in crowns on their diving watches, at the contrary of Rolex or, sometimes, Omega.
But we also know that JLC invented the compressor crowns, like on this Navy SEALs Chronograph:
The Deep Sea Chronograph doesn't belong to the family of Compressor Watches, of course, and its water resistance up to 100 meters is enough for most of the situations, indeed, but a diving Watch with no screw in crown, or without a system like the compressor crown, and which claims to be a technical diving Watch let me perplex, theoretically speaking.
I confess that it happened a few times that I jumped into the sea from a 5 to 10 meters height, and that the Watch resisted flawlessly to such a treatment, which I don't recommend as the pressure is enormous when you " hit " the water. Something I would not do with the TT Polaris or Deep Sea.
I better admit that weakness on a Watch such as the Tribute To Deep Sea Alarm or Polaris, which don't claim to be technical diving watches, to say all.
3/ The movement:
There is not luch more to add to what has been written above, in the general presentation of the Watch.
The Cal 758 has proven to be, during these test weeks ,a good and flawless movement, which worked in a very accurate way ( + 15 seconds only, in 3 weeks is indeed remarkable, in my book ).
But that will give me the opportunity to discuss the interest of the chronograph operating indicator.
If you read the report I made on the Deep Sea Chronograph, when it was released, you will still have in mind the relation between this function and the past of the brand.
When the indicator is all white, that means the chronograph didn't have been used.
When the indicator is half white, half red, the chronograph is running.
When the indicator is all red, the chronograph has been stopped, but not reset to zero.
Let's illustrate that functions in pictures:
- All white:
- Half white, half red:
- All red:
Despite its link with the past, I see that indicator as a gadget.
Indeed, you don't need it to know if your chronograph is running, stopped and not reset to zero, as your chronograph second hand will tell you that.
Funny, but not useful. And the utility of a function is primordial on a diving Watch. So, not convincing, for me.
4/ The bezel:
The very good point, on the Deep Sea Chronograph, is that the bezel is turning, which is not the case on the Tribute to Deep Sea, Alarm or Chronograph Vintage.
Turning anti clockwise, to be precise, as it should be on a serious diving Watch.
But that is not all. I knew that the triangle index at 60 minutes was luminous. What I didn't pay attention to is that the round indexes between 1 and 14 minutes are luminous, too.
The insert is made of anodized alumium, while the bezel is made of titanium. Both resisted to small shocks perfectly.
5/ The dial:
Compared to the Deep Sea Chronograph in stainless steel, there are two big différences:
- The stainless steel version has the wording " automatic " written in the subdial at 6 o' clock.
- The triangular and luminous indexes are surrounded with a metal part.
I have mixed feelings, here: I much prefer the absence of the mention " automatic " on the Cermet, while I find that the metal surrounding the triangular indexes add some coldness to the dial. I better like the simpler indexes on the stainless steel version.
Here the stainless steel version:
And for the comparison, the Cermet:
In both cases, you have a triple subdial configuration, which includes the chronograph hours counter, absent on the Deep Sea Chronograph Vintage, this last one being a typical bi compax Chrono.
In both cases, too, the triangular indexes are filled with Superluminova C 3, extra bright, which provides a very good luminosity in the dark, a good point for a good diving Watch.
For those who prefer a warmer dial, there is another version, available at the JLC Boutiques only, as shown above, with the faux patina of the triangular indexes, hands and on the insert.
A matter of taste, in each case.
CONCLUSION:
Using a Watch for several weeks is the only way to fully appreciate and judge a Watch.
The Deep Sea Chronograph Cermet provided me some mixed feelings, but I have to precise that I am not a big fan of black cased watches, that my heart is already taken by other JLC diving watches, too.
So, it was a difficult exercize to write an article on this Watch.
What I loved was the presence of this Watch, its coolness, its superb ( the word is weak ) case, and the fact that you can use it without fear.
What I less appreciated was the trendy side of the Cermet case, its relative lack of coherence ( no screw in nor compressor crown ), and the surrounded indexes.
For example, the Navy SEALs Chrono is much bigger and thicker, but more coherent. While the Tributes To Deep Sea Alarm and Polaris are less " technical " than the Deep Sea Chronograph, but have more charm, in my very personal and / then biased opinion.
But it was a good experience to wear it during these weeks, and the Watch was pleasant. The best word I could find to describe it is... " Cool ".
One thing I didn't mention, for the moment, which was a good surprise, the strap.
We often pest against the JLC straps, I have to say that for once, I was positively, very positively impressed.
Not only the strap is good looking, but it also oozes quality.
At the contrary of what you could guess, when you see the pictures, the strap is in printed leather, and not in canvas.
During these 3 weeks, it saw swimming pools, lakes and the sea, it had to face very hot days, and it standed all these tests with brio.
When I looked at the condition of the strap after all this time on my wrist, it is hard to believe that it lived all these moments and adventures.
To end in beauty, here are some summer shots corresponding to this superb road trip:
All started with our first halt in Stresa ( Lago Maggiore ) :
Then, our headquarter in Trieste...
The famous Piazza Della Unita:
The no less famous roofs and panorama:
The sea just near Trieste:
A croatian pool, in a croatian hotel of a croatian village... In Croatia.
Another nice moment, some fishing time with the daughter, and the Deep Sea Chrono Cermet.
The new Fisherman's friend shots:
And after all that, do not forget to rince and clean your Watch!
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-08-25 10:34:58 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-08-25 11:48:38 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-08-29 23:20:38 
