There are two version of this review, a quick review and a very quick review.
The very quick version: This is one of the finest watches money can buy. get one!
The quick review:
Ever since they announced the Navy seals watches, I have lusted after one model in specific, the Navy Seal Alarm. I had very high hopes for this watch, and since I never saw one in the flesh I was hesitant, but boy did it deliver!
First of, the design of the watch is just fantastic! Simple yet interesting, rugged yet elegant, just a damn fine job here again by JLC!
Then there is the finish, hoo boy when you talk about JLC finishing you are talking about the very best, Immaculate down to the last detail, the way they do titanium is unmatched, except MAYBE by Panerai, but even then its a tie at best. Finely brushed lines across the case that speak of a master craftsman at work. Couple that with the VERY attractive "black titanium" bezel and you have a real winner here! The bezel material looks like a mix between PVD and Titanium and combined with the case the whole package just has a very attractive matte feel to it.
The striking white indices and numerals coupled with the bezel indicator contrast, but not too heavily, against the the over all matte design. the touch of red on the seconds dial is very nice! juuuuuust about enough.
The watch comes with a number of strap options, every one superb! And I do mean SUPERB! The titanium bracelet is finely finished and well engineered, think of crossing a Deepsea bracelet with a IWC Big Inge bracelet, the finely molded black calf leather and corduroy strap is amazing, I have it on now and you just have to see it, turn this sporty beast into a classy casual piece, pics to come soon. Then there is the Nato strap you see in the pics, which must be the world's finest nato strap by far! the material it is made of feels like a cross between some sort of durable cloth and silk, just wonderfully smooth, comfortable, yet feels very sturdy. The black and titanium grey design fits the watch to a T. Finally they have an articulated rubber strap that looks absolutely mesmerizing. Gotta get that one!
The movement, as can be expected from Jaeger, is superb. Winds like a knife through butter, Alarm sound fantastic, and is very accurate so far. The caseback also, is a very involved and intricate thing!
My biggest problem with the watch when it was announced was that it had the JLC logo etched into the saphire crystal, very annoying to me! I always felt that I need to clean that off my old Omega, and couldn't imagine how it must be on the JLC. I ordered the watch anyway and happy day, Jaeger printed the logo on the dial in their latest series!!!!
Some fans preferred the older style, as that meant the logo did not move with the alarm, but that is not a concenr for me as I am not that anal, I also partake in the hineous crime of actually using the rotating bezel to time events. I know, I should be ashamed
Additionally, I get up at 6, so the logo wouldn't be off axis anyway, double happy day!!!
the bezel is smooth yet precise, with a very "technical" sound. the coin edge is very nice, and the finish on the side shows allot of attention here!
I am not crazy about the lug size however, I hate these in between sizes! Why 23mm? why?? Not that big an issue though as they make up for it by producing the best OEM options ever made.
My one real gripe however, is why the hell did Jaeger not include their amazing quick strap change system liek on the Extreme W-Alarm??? they have one of the best engineered, easy to use, secure, and user friendly systems and they leave it out of a near perfect watch like this? ARGGH!
The packaging though is very nice indeed, allot of effort here! Also they included a cute tiny little strap tool. All in all a fantastic watch and since it is an LE of only 1500, i suggest you get one ASAP, I got mine from timeofswitzerland.com and highely recommend you do too, I paid 8K USD, what a deal! Even though i had to let both a Breitling and an Omega, I am very pleased indeed!
whooooo, great detail.
Yet another truly awesome piece Altair!