Jaeger-LeCoultre

First released in 2005, this powerful model received this year some cosmetic changes.

Here is a pic of what we now have to call " Extrem World Compressor first generation ":



The strong points remain the same: A Bullet proof ( or almost ) World Time Chrono, with its interesting shock absorber system, which allows you to practice your favourite sports without danger for your watch, associated to a " macho " design, and an astucious system to allow a quick change of the strap.

The case don't change, nor the movement ( Cal 752 ), but what is really amazing here is to see how some improvements can totally change your perception of the watch.

The Stainless Steel and Titanium version:



The Rose Gold and Titanium:



What is the most noticeable is the dial, of course.

JLC used a material which is called Texalium I never saw before.

In fact, this is an alumium coated fiber glass.

As shown on the pics above, you can give it different colors, and in the case of the EWC, silver or brown khaki

It is an eye and light catcher, whose aspect and appearance will change depending on the light condition and angle, as well as it gives a very " tech " look to the watch.

Then, you will pay attention to the Hour and Minute hands, which are now facetted.

The Chrono Subdials are redisigned, too, in a more classical way.

And, last but not least, something which may not be noticed...The bezel.

This new EWC is belonging to these few JLC watches which saw their bezel reworked.

To me, this is the major and the most interesting detail.

While the former bezel was 3,7 mm large, here it is much slimmer: 2, 3 mm!

It totally changes the look of the watch: The dial looks even bigger, the case seems to be thinner, and more elegant.

While the RG / Ti version plays the card of the elegant sportivity, the SS / Ti is maybe more technical, and somehow more spectacular, but it is indeed a matter of personal taste:







The SS / Ti is a Limited Edition of 500 pieces and the retail is 12 200 Euros.

The RG / Ti is limited to 200 pieces, and will cost 22 800 Euros.

Maybe not everybody's taste, but an interesting one, I think.



What do YOU think?

Best,

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-28 12:58:44 This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-31 10:09:13

Better than older versions. The dial is very nice, and the subdial is awsome.

 

This message has been edited by foullis on 2010-01-28 13:16:45

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as a full-time 'user' of the 1st ewc i am glad that jlc tastefully, yet meaningfully updated the king of haute sports/activity watches. while personally i find myself more drawn to the original edition, the new versions give others with differing tastes more to choose from, and offer more than just a different dial color. audemars gets heat for this with the various roo l.e.'s but in reality they have made some major changes with the t3 and survivor and the gran prix and innovative materials. kudos to mjlc for tastefully updating their king. i look forward to others' thoughts as always. i apologize for the lowercase and formatting as i am on a basic mobile phone.

Which doesn't mean that the first generation is to throw with the Baby's water...( Correct, in English ? )

As you said, the owners of the forst generation will still be happy with their EWC, while others may go on the new version.

To me, the really important thing is the new thinner bezel.

It changes a lot the look of this watch.

Best, and thanks for your ( unformated ) but valuable input.



Nicolas

throw out the baby with the bath water!  Not to worry, my foreign language skills are limited, much more so than yours, I'm sure.

To be sure, I think the original is the more well-rounded watch, the new ones are more more sportive and fill that role nicely, but might look out of place with dressier outfits or more formal situations.  Of course, there are those who say any 46mm watch is out of place in formal or dressy situations, so who am I to say....  I love the black/dark-dark-dark brown dial on mine compared to the motif on the new ones.  I also prefer the chrono counters on the old style.  What I do like is MJLC's "brand lineage" that one can see in all of the watches that they make.

For your elaborated answer!

Best, Bro!

Nicolas

you really captured the dial to perfection.....personally a little too futuristic for me but stunning none the less.

Yours,

Andy.

But if you're not keen on carbon fiber dials, this one may not be for you...

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

You know, my birthday is coming up, and I hear you still don't have a gift???

Another lovely set of photos too!

--

Cheers,

--

Richard.

I love the idea of getting a watch for a birthday!

Now, you know what to do.

Send an email to JLC...



Best,

Nicolas

It is indeed a great idea, and you need to visit the JLC AD and pick-up one for me. Then, I can return the favor when your birthday arrives.

--

Richard.

One of the things I find interesting is that the new EWC Ti/SS is now a Limited Edition of 500, where the first generation was not.  Visually I think the font used on the hour counter sub dial on the second generation EWC really cleans up the dial,  making it appear less busy. 

The price of the second generation EWC has also increased considerably.  At 12200 Euros or $17000 USD, that is close to a 10% increase in list price over last years first generation.

Well I for one am not too keen about the Limited Edition phenomenon...

I rather think JLC should re think it, and only release a LE for special watches, and not watches which will know further developments.

I'm pretty sure we'll see other EWCs in the future, and I would have preferred to see it in a Limited Production.

As for the price increase, I may be wrong but my guess is that there will be a slight one in the months to come, so the gap between the old and the new EWC may be substantially reduced.

Best,

Nicolas

Especially the RG version. Thanks for the great pics, Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2010-01-29 14:29:47

First I have to admit that I was not a fan of the EWC so far. And I even know exactly why this was so: The main dial, i.e. the ring defined by the minute hand was much too small for me. Surrounded by the 24h ring, the cities ring and the broad bezel it looked to me as if an originally small watch had been blown up to macho diameter without consistent growth of the elements involved.
From this perspective it is very interesting for me to read that Nicolas considers the slimmer bezel the most noteworthy change. I absolutely agree.
Now with the new bezel, the larger and cleaned up dial, the watch looks far more consistent and pleasant to me. Of course some of the wild and interesting design ideas on the old EWC had to give to this change, but for me the new dial material makes more than up for that. From the pictures the dial seems so be much more readable now without being boring in any way.

I really like it! Now please transfer the quick strap change system to more models!

Best,
Martin

The slimmer bezel does it all, and the new subdials too...

To be clear, the EWC still has this system for a quick change of the strap.

As you, I would love to see it on ALL JLC sports watches.

Best, and thanks for your answer.

Nicolas

...is very sporty and looks sharp.  I tend not to like these types of carbon fiber looking dials, but it is certainly a fresh take on the EWC.  Thanks for sharing the great photos, Nicolas!

Cheers,

Daos

More understated and has a smoother dial, indeed.

The Ti is definitely sportier.

As for the Extrem Lab II, it is a strong watch which will have its fans and its critics.

Which is cool, IMO, as it will change from the " consensus " on other Classic watches...



Best,

Nicolas

I have one of the first ewc and this new dial imho ruins the watch making it look cheap and decreases legibility. That kind of dial i have seen on many cheap watches. The other small changes i think are welcome.

And the strap is great i have to get one for my ewc.

Anyway the ewc is a great watch with lots of that strong character that comes with a panerai watch. An extreme sportive watch without being over the top and overdesigned like a zenith defy extreme or the new ap roo grand prix.

I still remember when i bought my ewc. I was on one of my visits to my AD to plan my next purchase and then i saw it and i completely lost all sense of direction, did not sleep well at night and had to buy it on the next day. All of my other watches buys were planned and reflected upon. I had seen the photos and the specs of it and only thought "it is ok... i guess" but seeing it in the metal it swept me off my feet.

And the story behind your EWC is really cool.

The first EWC was indeed a strong looking watch, this new version too.

As you said it perfectly, to be seen in the flesh AND under different light conditions, too, as Light does a lot on this watch, on the perception you may have about it...

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!

Best,

Nicolas

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Too long time no talk, my friend!!!

Hope things go better, now, and that you will join our " small " group asap.

Very Warm Regards from Paris...

Nicolas

I am still amidst lots of family issues regarding the health of my parents. My mother is in end stage dementia and does not have long I fear. My father is now 97 and whilst mentally sound he is physically quite frail. I won't even mention the problems with the care they are receiving or the recent flood in their home!

That aside, I hope to rejoin you all very soon. I am hoping there may be a space for me at the SIHH event at the London boutique in February, so I may meet some fellow Purists there.

I hope you and your family are well and that we meet again soon.

Best regards.

Simon

And hope we'll be able to meet soon, again.

Was a long time!

Best,

Nicolas