Review
Sancerre shares his acquisition story of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Navy Seals Chrono GMT, a piece he discovered as a new, discounted item due to minor case damage. His post offers a candid review of the watch's features, particularly focusing on the GMT function's practical utility compared to other JLC models, providing valuable insights for potential owners.
Whenever I walk into one of my local AD's, the first place I always look is the second hand counter. The used watches just seem more interesting than the new items on display. I suppose that this says something about who I am (not sure what it says...). In fact, the vast majority of all watches that I've purchased have been either second hand or gray market, rather than brand new. So, upon the last visit to my local AD, can't remember the context - I wondered over to the second hand counter as my wife spoke with one of the friendly sales staff. And this is the watch that I saw, a seemingly brand new Navy Seals Chrono GMT.
It turns out that it was new, but had been damaged on the back of the case. That insignificant damage meant that I got it new with warranty, but also with a nifty discount. The AD even threw in a new rubber strap with pin buckle.
It didn't take long after putting it on to know that this was my next watch. The only question was how I could fund the acquisition. I simply didn't have the savings set aside for another watch. However, there was one piece that could be sacrificed. I brought in my IWC St Ex UTC (white gold) the next day, and we got an equitable deal completed. At the end of the day, I turned in a pilot's watch for a diver's. For what it is worth, I am neither! This is actually an under water shot, take a look at the bubbles...
After a month, I am very happy with the purchase and swap. I really have only one complaint. The GMT function, in my opinion, is basically useless. I am basing this opinion upon my experience with the Master Compressor GMT. With the MC GMT, you change the time in hourly increments, and the date changes along with it. All the while, the skeleton hand stays in the same place. So, you change the hour, get off of the plane, and you are all set. All without stopping the movement. However, this NS Chrono GMT does not work the same way. Instead of changing the time, you change the skeleton hand. But, the skeleton hand is far more subtle/difficult to read. Furthermore, the skeleton is not linked to the date. This is a far less functional implementation. As a result, even though I travel on a weekly basis, I don't bother with the second time zone. It is too troublesome, since I would have to reset the time twice a week, and the skeleton to my home time. This is especially annoying, since I am one of those nerds that like his watch to be set against atomic time on a regular basis. Oh, by the way, this is the most accurate mechanical watch I have owned - here is the mandatory wrist shot:
We don't see the NS Chrono too often, here. Which is surprising, as this watch has some serrious assets, its look, its tool character, and its combination of second time zone and chrono functions, even if the time zone is less useful than on other watches, I agree. Thanks for having taken the time to introduce it to us! Best, Nicolas
Thanks for sharing your observation about the practicality of the GMT function. Nothing beats experience from actual owner like this. Ruckdee
And, I was rather surprised by the different GMT implementation. My only thought is that this was easier/cheaper to produce, for the MC GMT version is hand's down a better working solution. --Sancerre
I have the same complain about this watch. The second time function, I also have another jlc a dualmatic, and the gmt works like you other jlc. Really want to know why on earth they make a diferent function on the navyseals. I already emailed jlc but they dindn't answered yet.... Regards, Cesar
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