Jaeger-LeCoultre has just revealed a new diving chronograph, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph. Unlike most chronographs, this one can be operated underwater.
Breitling makes a magnetic quartz-based chronograph that operates underwater; IWC and Omega make mechanical chronographs that work underwater, but as far as most mechanical chronographs go — they do not work underwater.
The Deep Sea Chronograph is powered by a self-winding caliber JL 758 with 47 jewels, 340 parts, a frequency of 4Hz, and a 65-hour power reserve. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph (hour and minute counters, central sweep seconds hand), and chronograph operating indicator. The case is stainless steel and measures 42 mm in diameter. Uni-directional rotating bezel. Sapphire crystal and matte dial with white Superluminova hour markers. Water-resistance 100 meters. Black leather with steel pin buckle.
“The Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph has an operating indicator for the chronograph which contributes to divers’ safety by enabling them to check at a glance that the chronograph is indeed measuring a certain time interval, that it is ready to be activated, or that the measured time is displayed on the various counters. This specific feature is inspired by a historical Jaeger- LeCoultre model: the Chronoflight.
Today’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph is inspired by a technical device featured in the Chronoflight in order to make it available to divers. Appearing on the watch dial above the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature, a round aperture reveals the chronograph operating indicator. The latter is composed of two discs – one white and the other red – which provide the required information regarding the state of the chronograph, without any risk of error.
When the display is white, the chronograph is ready to be activated in order to begin measuring a time interval. Once the chronograph has started, the indicator window simultaneously shows both colors – red and white – in order to signal that a measurement is in progress. Finally, when the chronograph has stopped, the red disc appears on its own in the window to indicate that the measurement performed may be consulted, before resetting the chronograph.”
The Deep Sea Chronograph meets the ISO 6425 standard for a dive watch. (Divers’ watches must be water-resistant to 330 ft minimum (100 meters). They must also feature a time controller and comply with standards provided by NIHS 92-11 (ISO 6425): luminosity, shock resistance, anti-magnetism, band solidity.) The price is $10,800. (Ref. Q2068570)
