Jaeger- Lecoultre Tribute To Deep Sea Alarm Full hands on Review. SIHH 2011..
Yes... You read it well, the Deep Sea Alarm is back, and I had the immense privilege to see it in the flesh, to be authorized to take some pictures, in exclusivity for Watchprosite, and to share them with you before the Embargo is over on the press file!
We'll first have a journey into Time and see what was the Deep Sea Alarm, its history, its competitors, and then we'll see what is this re edition.
I- An historical reminder.
1959 saw the birth of the first Diving watch from " La Grande Maison ".
As you all know, Panerai was the first to release a Diving watch, in 1935 with the Prototype 2533: A Rolex case, movement and dial, encased by the House from Firenze, which gave birth to the Radiomir 3646, California and no California dial.
3646:
3646 California Dial: ( Picture to be credited to Mike T, if I remember well )
There was no communication on these Panerai watches, as they were protected by the military secret.
We had to wait till 1953 to see the first diving watches which still inspire our modern time keepers, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, under Mr Bob Maloubier impulsion, and the Rolex / Tudor Submariners.
A bit later ( 1955 / 56 ) came the Omega Seamaster, and, in 1959, the Lecoultre ( as it was first made for the US Market, where the trend of Diving watches was quite important ) Deep Sea Alarm.
The 4 competitors, in the Fifties:
How can we rate or describe the Deep Sea Alarm, compared to its competitors of the era?
I would use 2 criterias: The Water Resistance and the Functionnality.
- As for the Water Resistance:
All the Diving watches were water resistant from 91 meters ( Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ) to 200 meters ( Rolex / Tudors Submariners, Omega Seamaster 300 Ref CK 2913 ) at the end of the Fifties, with the exception, nonetheless, of the Fifty Fathoms Aqualung 1 000 Feet, which was water resistant to 300 meters, as suggested by its name.
The Deep Sea Alarm is water resistant to 500 Feet, according to the US notice were it is featured :
Like on the Fifty Fathoms and Omega Seamaster CK 2913, the crowns are not screw in type, at the conrary of the Rolex / Tudor Submariners.
Logically, we could think that a screw in crown solution is better, but at the end of the Fifties, the US Navy compared and tested some diving watches and chose the FF Milpsec over the Rolex Submariner 6538... The limits of the logic...
- The Functionality:
This is, in my opinion, certainly the point which distinguish the most the Deep Sea Alarm from its competitors of this era.
It has to be said that it was the FIRST Diving Alarm watch, as the other famous example which comes to mind is the Vulcain Cricket Nautical, which was released 2 years after, in 1961, if I'm not wrong.
The curious thing, on the Deep Sea Alarm, is that the external bezel is NOT TURNING, which, at first thought, may not be very useful for a diver in activity.
BUT, if you refer to the US catalog posted above, you have the explanation.
The DSA " has both a visual and audible warning of the time for beginning a safe ascent from a dive ". ( Note: The US Catalog says that the outer bezel rotates, which is not true... ), but you can always use the alarm triangle to be warned, by the vibration and the sound, when it is time for you to reach the surface, without having to always check your watch.
The Alarm is graduated each minute, so it can really be used as a bezel, even if it is not very intuitive.
Indeed, with a bezel, you know at what time you started your dive, while, with the Alarm, you know how much time you still have before starting the ascent to the surface.
While we're mentioning the bezel, I have to add that its anodized aluminium structure is very fragile and don't resist to Time.
To be complete about the bezel, I'll say that the triangle indexes are luminous, not painted, from what I saw on several of them ( and specially a NOS one ).
An European Deep Sea Alarm with its original bezel:
The fixed Tribute to Deep Sea Alarm bezel:
Some insert tests, to see the final outcome:
A weak point on the US version is that it has luminous hands, but no luminous indexes, while the Eurpoean version has both, which is better in terms of legibility in poor light conditions.
All these details, which are unusual, strong or weak, contribute to the originality of the Deep Sea Alarm,of course.
Even if the European and the American Deep Sea Alarms have a lot in common, the dials make a huge difference, as you can see below:
According to the Heritage Gallery, 1061 pieces were produced, American and European included, from 1959 to 1962:
500 in 1959,
220 in 1960,
340 in 1961,
1 last piece in 1962.
Only God knows how many European versions were made, but from what the community of JLC Collectors observed, it is way much rarer than its US sister, maybe because the idea to make such a watch came from the USA?
The Deep Sea Alarm, whatever is its " nationality ", housed a well known movement, the Cal 815, which was used since 1956 or 1957 in another Memovox, the E 853.
It has to be said that the Cal 815 is the first automatic ( bumper ) alarm movement in the world, which beats at 18 000 alternances per hour, and offers a power reserve of more or less 45 hours.
II- From the Past to the Present: The Tribute to Deep Sea Alarm.
49 years after the production of the last piece, this watch makes its come back, specially for your eyes, just before the Geneva SIHH watch fair.
Many questions are receiving an answer ( some remain unanswered, as I type these lines, though ) :
1/ A Tribute, yes, but based on what version: The European, or the American?
The answer is certain: Both!
2/ Will JLC make a strict Re Edition, as they did for the Polaris, or a watch inspired by the Deep Sea Alarm, ala Amvox I or Master Compressor?
The answer is YES, at 95 %. And here, not precious metal at the contrary of the Polaris ( which was produced in platinum for 165 pieces ), just stainless steel, like on the original.
THE DIFFERENCES WILL BE VERY LIMITED:
- The case is one millimeter bigger ( 40, 5 mm ), compared to the original Deep Sea Alarm, but this detail is almost unnoticeable.
- The font of the numbers on the bezel, but here, things can still change on the definitive watches.
About these numbers, those on the original bezel are longer, they reach the base of the bezel, the " 0 " of " 10 " has a squared shape, the numbers in general are less " flat " than on the Tribute.
The triangles are slightly smaller on the original, and reach the dial side of the bezel, which is not the case on the Tribute.
A close up of the 2 bezels, side by side, to better get the differences:
On the left, the Tribute, and on the right, an expertly redone bezel, very faithful to the original, except this gray color, while the original was matte black.
- The minute indexes, on the US version, which are too fat, but this may change on the definitive watch, though.
- The lugs, which look a bit larger, but this is the prototype case, and the bevels should be reworked.
- And, of course, the movement, which is not the old Cal 815 with its lovely bumper, but the modern Cal 956, without date, the same which is used for the Navy SEALs Alarm and the Tribute to Polaris, without Date ( Will it keep this reference ? ).
Will anyone complain about this technical improvement?
I don't think so, even if we loose the very plesant feeling of the " bumper " when you move the wrist.
All in all, these subtle differences are nothing compared to the great work done on this pair of Tributes, which are very close to the original and fully respect the spirit of this model, as we'll see right now.
THE KEY POINTS ARE:
- To preserve the superb lines, profile and curves of the original case.
The sides of the case are brushed, while the top is polished, and, like on the original, the case back and the bezel come over the case, which is very typical to the Deep Sea Alarm, as you can better see here:
- The typical crowns, found on the 1959 Deep Sea Alarm, make their come back on the Tributes.
Flat at 4 o'clock, it is slightly " onion " shaped at 2 o' clock.
- The very nice engraved case backs, featuring a diver swimming among some air bubbles, and the wording all around this " sculpture ", as shown below.
Here, the Tribute...
... Next to the original Deep Sea Alarm:
- A plexy, slightly domed, and well integrated to the bezel:
Honestly, it would have been very sad to get a clean flat sapphire instead of this gorgeous plexy.
It contributes a lot to the charm of this watch, with its warm feeling, it is part of the Deep Sea Alarm!
- To keep the specificity of the 2 dials.
The US Version, first:
As you know, the particularities of the american dial are the name ( Lecoultre ), and the writing " Deep Sea Alarm " on the Alarm disc.
The Tribute to the US DSA is the only one among all the current JLC watches to not have Jaeger-LeCoultre " written on the dial but only " LeCoultre ", as JLC agreed to opt for this option.
... And to keep the " Deep Sea Alarm " writing on the Alarm Disc:
Another nice detail is the rugged aspect of the alarm disc, which is very close to the original, as you can see on the 2 pictures above.
The outer part of the dial, surrounding the alarm disc, is strictly conform to the original, the only point is that it will be better to have thinner minute indexes, as previously said.
The European dial:
The same thin and long triangles, which are luminous, will be seen on the European Deep Sea Alarm, as well as the JLC Signature just under 12 o' clock:
Yes, the luminous triangle indexes look a bit bigger on the Tribute, but we're very close to the original, and the spirit is here, undisputably.
On both the American and the European, JLC opted for the pointed skeleton luminous hands, which is another faithful detail shared with the Vintage models.
After highlighting all these details, which were important to appreciate all the work done on these Tribute, let's now have an overall look at the watches in themselves.
3/ The Tribute To Deep Sea Alarm are now the be entirely revealed!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WATCHES SHOWN BELOW ARE PROTOTYPES AND THAT THE FINISH IS NOT DEFINITIVE.
The LeCoultre and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute:
A- The Tribute to LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm:
The Tribute on the left, the original on the right, to show how faithful this project is:
As previously said, the difference in size is almost unnoticeable, the overall look and the spirit of the original has been well respected.
The American Deep Sea Alarm has a very strong look, with the writings on the dial, the play of white silver and black rings and alarm disc.
Strong, yet elegant and sensual, thank to the sweet curves of the very elegant case, which doesn't have the global and almost bestial volumes of the Polaris, for example.
Indeed, the plexy and the case of the DSA are way thinner, from what I could measure ( somewhere between 13 and 14 mm for the DSA, versus 17, 5 mm for the Polaris ).
You focus on the crowns, and specially the one located at 2 o'clock, before admiring the very unique profile of the case, which is taken " in sandwich " between the bezel and the case back:
B- The Tribute to Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm:
A lot of common points with its american sister are to be noted.
- The same care, obsession of a faithful re edition:
- The same sensual and original case, of course.
- The same lovely crowns.
- The particular engravings on the case back.
BUT the dedicated dial makes a big difference.
Here, no contrast between silver white and black parts.
All is black, with some yellow touches due to the indexes, the triangle of the alarm and the luminous hands.
Less powerful, much more sober than its US sister, it is not less elegant, at the contrary!
As to conclude, there is one last question: Which one to choose?
I would answer with another question?
Why having to choose?
Between the Beauty ( European Tribute ) and the Beast ( US Tribute ), I want them both, as it was exactly the same issue ( and the same solution ) with the Tribute To Polaris.
My wrist can't decide, either!
To be complete, 2 or 3 last points:
The Tribute to Deep Sea Alarm is water resistant to 100 meters, which will allow some water activities, and for sure some unforgettable wrist shots.
You also have to know that the US Tribute will be available only in the JLC Boutiques, while the European will be available all over the world, at any JLC AD or Boutique.
The important thing, in my point of view, is that the Tribute kept all the imperfections of the original pieces, too: The non turning bezel, the non luminous indexes ( on the US version ), which are the signature, which make the charm of the Deep Sea Alarm.
It is a Limited Edition of 359 pieces for the US version, and of 959 pieces for the European one.
I've also been told that, like the Tribute To Polaris, it will be a " one shot " release.
Both will be priced at 9 500 Euros.
Wasn't it worth the wait?
Looking forward to hearing your comments and thoughts,
Best.
Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2016-01-15 23:07:34 This message has been edited by amanico on 2016-01-15 23:46:29
Tribute To Deep Sea Alarm: The Press File.
Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea :
a re-edition in tribute to the legend of diver’s watches
There are some watches that leave an indelible trace on our collective memory because they
have written a page in history. The Memovox Deep Sea, the first diver’s watch ever made by
the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, undoubtedly belongs to the select circle of such milestone
instruments. After presenting in 2008 two faithful interpretations of historical diver’s watches,
the Memovox Tribute to Polaris 1965 and the Memovox Tribute to Polaris 1968, the Grande
Maison in the Vallée de Joux is pursuing its journey through time and returning to the very roots
of the diver’s watch by introducing a re-edition of the 1959 Memovox Deep Sea, logically
named Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea. The distinctive characteristic of the original model lay in
the fact that it was interpreted in two versions: one intended for European sports enthusiasts
and the other for American divers. In homage to its rich past and to the delight of fine
watchmaking connoisseurs, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre is unveiling a faithful limited-series
re-edition of the two 1959 Memovox Deep Sea models.
Rebirth of an icon
The Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea faithfully replicates the original model, except in one
respect: the stainless steel case has been slightly enlarged from 39.8 to 40.5 mm in order to
match contemporary requirements – and wrists. The case-back carries the motif appearing on
the 1959 watch, featuring a frogman surrounded by bubbles. And, as one would expect from a
new creation paying homage to its illustrious predecessors, the Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea
also comes in two versions, each bearing the appearance of one of the historical variations.
While the European model features a matt black dial with luminescent hour-markers, its
American counterpart is distinguished by a two-tone black/grey execution surrounded by an
external ring comprising a scale with five-minute graduations and simply signed “LeCoultre”. The
two versions offer the same range of functions: hours, minutes, central seconds and an alarm. A
crown at 2 o’clock serves to wind and set the alarm, while another at 4 o’clock is used to wind
the movement and set the time. Both models are driven by Memovox Calibre 956, an
automatic movement incorporating the latest technological developments from the
Manufacture and which has decisively demonstrated its reliability over the years. This
descendant of the first manually-wound Memovox calibre beats at a rate of 28,800 vibrations
per hour and is endowed with a 45-hour power reserve.
The first diver’s watch instrument
In the early 1950s, humankind was fervently dedicated to building a new world. Modern
individuals were dynamic and intrepid, embodying the values of a future-oriented era and keen
to set off on the discovery of new territories focusing on the unexplored heart of continents,
the infinity of the cosmos, and the ocean depths. In 1957 the USSR launched the first artificial
satellite of the Earth. A few months earlier, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Louis Malle had unveiled
the fascinating mysteries of underwater life in the film entitled The Silent World and which was
acclaimed by critics at the Cannes Film Festival and subsequently by the public at large.
Commander Cousteau’s passion was soon shared by a growing number of eager scuba diving
fans, especially once the simultaneous invention of a revolutionary diving bottle fostered the
spread of this promising young discipline. A new kind of sports enthusiast emerged, requiring
instruments suited to the exercise of their recently developed passion and able to help them
successfully undertake their adventurous missions below the sea.
In order to meet demand from American enthusiasts of this booming sport, Jaeger-LeCoultre
launched a daring project in 1959 involving the development of a diver’s watch. This
represented largely uncharted territory at the time, with no criteria stipulating the demands that
should be met by this unprecedented category of timepieces, and almost 20 years were to
elapse before the adoption of the NIHS norms applicable to diver’s watches. The watchmakers
and technicians of the Manufacture immediately set to work and that same year presented a
watch endowed with a degree of reliability and performances that were truly exceptional in that
early period of underwater exploration. The Memovox Deep Sea was the world’s first diver’s
watch equipped with an alarm function. Jaeger-LeCoultre engineers devoted the full measure of
their inventive skills to transforming the alarm generally featured on Memovox watches into an
acoustic signal designed to warn divers that it was time to begin their progressive ascent to the
surface. In keeping with an essential principle consistently upheld by the Manufacture,
functionality was already dedicated to serving security.
The new timepiece in both versions met with spectacular success on either side of the Atlantic.
This iconic diver’s watch soon sold out and became a legend of which only a rare few collectors
were able to glimpse the reality.
The Memovox tribute to Deep Sea is issued in two limited series: 959 reproducing the “Jaeger-
LeCoultre Classique 1959” intended for the European market; and 359 inspired by the
“LeCoultre Spécial Amérique 1959”. The last two digits of each edition echo the birth year of
this legendary watch. And finally, driven by a determination to pay homage to one of the
treasures of the company heritage, the watchmakers of the Manufacture have chosen to protect
the dial of the Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea with a Plexiglas watch glass absolutely identical to
that which equipped the historical models – exactly the kind of detail that connoisseurs will
appreciate at its true worth.
Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea
Replica of the “Jaeger-LeCoultre Classique 1959”
Movement
• mechanical automatic movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calirbe 956, crafted, assembled and
decorated by hand
• 28,800 vibrations per hour
• 23 jewels
• 7.45 mm high
• 268 parts
• 45-hour power reserve
Functions
• hours, minutes, central seconds and alarm
Dial
• matt black with luminescent hour-markers
• alarm indication by a triangle with a luminescent centre
Case
• steel
• 40.5 mm in diameter
• convex plexiglas watch glass
• water resistance: 10 bar
Strap
• black leather with steel pin buckle
Reference:
• Q2028470, limited series of 959
Nicolas, you had me with the TTR...
read your posting on the TT Reverso. I was sure I was going to own that watch in 2011.
Now, I'm not too sure!
As a proud owner of the TTP'68, which to me is the epitome of a tool diver,
I see elegance in the form of the European DSA. It's the ying to the Polaris's
yang. It is a watch that I must own. I only hope that JLC spends a little more
time on the strap or even a bracelet for this watch. One that is worthy of its
elegant nature.
Thank you my friend for a magnificent posting.
N
The Ying to the Polaris Yang...
That is a fantastic way to describe the TT DSA, Neil.
Couldn't put it better.
The Polaris and the Deep Sea Alarm don't play, in my opinion, in the same category, if we speak about functionality and aesthetics.
They are not competitors, they complement each other in such a great way that I think a lot of Polaris owners will love the DSA, too.
Best, Neil, and thanks for your input!
Nicolas.
My JLC Ad had ...
My JLC AD here in Italy has my reservation on his desk with the number "1".
Have a nice day my friend
Marco
Alarm based on minutes or hours
I think the question was....
On the normal Memovox's I believe it is the hour hand, but on a diving watch it should be the minute hand....
It would be much easier and more accurate to adjust the dive time (normally around 45-60 minutes) if it was activated by the minute hand.
Is this how it works, or does it have a normal alarm function like the Polaris?
Either way it is a beautiful watch and I am in trouble now to decide which version to get...
Thanks,
Zsolt
Yes
Yes, thats exactly what I meant. I'll assume that the minute hand will trigger the alarm.
Not sure I understood the question, as the Alarm is activated by the upper crown ...
Not the minute or hour hand.
When the minute hands has reached the alarm time, it rings.
An example:
You start your dive at 16.00.
You want to start your ascent at 16.30 and want to be warned.
You set your Alarm to 16.30 with the upper crown.
Et voilà.
Best,
Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-01-13 07:44:21
Hm, I still don't get it...
I believe that the original question in this thread was whether the alarm is triggered once every hour (i.e. when the minute hand reaches the alarm triangle as opposed to the hour hand in all memovoxes including the original DSA). This would IMO (as I also mentioned in an earlier post) be more logical for a diving watch that the traditional 12 hour alarm function.
Somehow I doubt though that these tribute DSA's have a 1 hour alarm as it would require a modification to the alarm function in the movement - and more importantly, it would not be true to the original DSA's. I could very well be wrong on this of course.
I think we'll have to wait for Borat to give us the answer 
Nikolaj
These protos of the DSA weren't working, BUT, as on the TTP
The Hour hand, when moved backwards above the alarm triangle, carries it away.
But I still don't see the " link " with the setting of the diving time...
Best,
Borat.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-01-13 11:49:46He he, we're speaking in different directions...
I am not talking about how to set the alarm - but rather what releases it.
On all other memovoxes (to my knowledge), the alarm triangle is set to point at 3 o'clock if you want the alarm to go off a 3 o'clock (i.e. when the hour hand is aligned with the alarm triangle). This is practical for purposes such a waking you up in the morning, meeting reminders and so on.
But for a divers watch (if the alarm is intended for signaling the end of diving time) it could be more precise if the alarm triangle was related to the minute hand. An example: You start your dive at 10:00 sharp when the minute hand is pointing to 12 o'clock and want a reminder after 30 minutes. The alarm triangle is then set to point at 6 o'clock - and at 10:30... drrriiiiiiing.
I don't know if my explanation is any clearer now?
Azamat
I think you have probably answerd the original question...
Unfortunately this function is not useful for diving, as you can't set the dive time accurately on them....but I don't think that people would buy these watches for diving anyway...
Maybe once on a new diving alarm model they will modify the alarm function like that, as scuba diver I could imagine using it as a back up tool beside the dive computer...
Zsolt
Stunning! :)
Wow, Nicolas!
What a great post and fantastic pair of watches!
Love the DSA!
Luckily we didn’t bet – I would have lost…
2 more on the MUST HAVE list!
Will return tonight and have a closer look.
Best, my friend and again thank you for a fantastic report!
Blomman
Sweet as candy! :)
My friend, I have said it before and I say it again: You are the KING of passionate posts!
After viewing this pair…
All I can say is WOW!
I love them!
But, if I should try to find any thing “wrong” with them it would be the numeral font.
Personally I prefer the more square number like the original…
Love the four competitors’ photo!
Stunning quarto!
What more to say then that I feel I should have played the lottery..!
Again, thank you for all your work with this post and the work with the TT DSA!
Best
Blomman
Actually the bezel on the proto is correct
Hi Blomman
Actually, the bezel which is on the prototypes is very correct, as both 'square' and 'round' numbers have existed (2 variations of the bezel on the original DSA)
Most of the (few) original DSA that we see on the internet and that have surfaced in the recent years indeed have the square numbers. But one of the reason is that most of these watches have don't have their genuine original bezel (which as you know was very fragile), but have the refabricated greyish bezel that was commissioned by the french dealer 3 years ago and that we see onseveral DSAs, eg your 2 watches (US and EU) and on Nicolas one (though he also has his original one which is IMHO in reasonably decent condition).
And although the refabricated bezel was accurately done (save the coulour), it was only made with the square font.
But looking at examples with original bezel, I see that there was a significant share of the production fitted with the round bezel numbers. Likely less than the square, but I have seen several.
Here is one example of a perfectly original watch, which is also an illustration on the fragile aspect of the bezel, which makes original bezel in decent condition particularly rare today.
That said, I think Jaeger LeCoultre and those involved in the recreation did a great job, as the watch is very faithful to the original, and I appreciate the 'rebirth' of the LeCoultre brand for the occasion
Agreed on the " not squared " numbers, Clavi.
Less than the " square " one, but they indeed existed.
Also agreed on the grey redone bezels.
Thanks for your input, and opinion on these TT DSAs.
Best,
Nicolas.
Hi Clavi
Thank you very much for the information.
This is the first time I see a confirmed original bezel inlay with round numbers.
I was under the impression that all original bezel was with square numbers.
This is one of the great things with this forum – you learn something new every day!
Yes, I agree with you that it’s a job VERY well done!
As I mentioned; “if I should try to find any thing wrong”…
Wrong in this case means “wrong” to my liking in taste.
Already ordered both, and if they will have the round numbers I am very confident that I will manage to live with that…
I very recently changed the inlays on my watches, when I found them they looked like this:
The US version is definitely an aftermarket version but the EU version I believe is the real deal – possible repainted.
I changed it because I use the watch regularly and don’t want to risk damage the inlay.
Again, thank you very much for the info!
Best
Blomman
Correct insert on your EU
I am glad to see that you have the original insert for your European version, and in rather good condition (it looks original, maybe a little enhanced to correct scratches, but original indeed)
If you are wearing it regularly, given its fragileness, I can understand that you have 'saved it' and replaced by the reproduction.
It would be great to have a better matching reproduction insert done. Who knows, maybe Jaeger LeCoultre will ask for some reproduction of the original insert at the same time they are commissioning the bezels for the tribute. Diameter is slightly different, but that should not be a too complex task and I am sure all the owners of original DSAs with the aftermarket grey bezel would be happy to have something better matching to fit their watch.
With regards to the round numbers, here is another original example, this time on a European
Yes, a more correct inlay would be great!
But I like the grey much more then the one I had on the US version...
Thank you for the additional info!
The number 2, 5 and 8 also looks rounder in this pic.
Best
Blomman
This message has been edited by blomman on 2011-01-15 15:46:56
Bezel material...