Stephane

Wow, that is a beautifull picture !

Today working in the house:

Tonight birthday party of my better half:

Congrats Guys   

Have fun!

Some souvenir from NYC GTG in august 2008 ;-)

Seems like ages ago 

I miss NYC so much. Maybe in september ...

I opted for the Swiss Selita SW200. I believe its worth it and gives the watch that little extra special something. I always go for Swiss if its available. With the Asian clone movements its always a gamble, with Swiss the quality is there for sure. Neither is right or wrong...just personal preference  BTW I LOVE MY JLC NSD! SUPER REP!

Oh, you're right. Swiss is an extra little something.

I will keep a close eye on the clone and if it runs bad I will put me Eta in there ;-)

But for now, it's just fine.

Actually, it does because, typically, crowns get replaced during normal service. So it is quite expected to see a brand new 704 on a freshly serviced vintage sports watch. The opposite - having an old, beat up crown on an otherwise, pristine watch - makes 1 wonder.

Well you have a point indeed.

It's just that all tastes exist and I really don't bother having a beaten watch at all.

As long as the clone is clean and oiled they perform very well compared to the "Gen" swiss I see no reason to opt for the more expensive option anymore myself.

So, it seems we are in agrement 

At the end of the day, a watch is supposed to give time.

And whatever beats in there, as long as the time is correct, no reason to become a purist and only go for Swiss 

I do not usually disagree with Stephane, but, in this case, I have to. The crown looks too worn for that watch. I would either beat up the rest of the case to match the condition of the crown, or, better yet, keep an eye peeled for a gently worn crown.

I understand what you mean Fred.

But I must add that if I had to choose, I'd prefer a beaten one.

Or slightly beaten...

It makes no sense to have "a brand new looking vintage Rolex" in my humble opinion.

Lovely Watch! Given the condition of the rest of the watch, the crown looks too beaten up.

As said above.

How about make the rest of the watch a little more "worn"?

Little update here...

After one week wearing the watch I am very surprised but the good time keeping of this 2824-2 clone.

Currently, without adjusting the time for a week, it's running 9 seconds faster 

It's quite a surprise because I read some very bad experiences with these clone movements.

Prior to receive it, I contacted my dear friend Andy to ask him to put my gen ETA 2824-2 into this watch.
Well, I don't see the point at all now! 

I'll speak for the silent mass 

WE LOVE IT!

Congrats!

I can't wait to get mine back 

Edit to say: personally I never worry about having a beaten up part on my vintage watches...

nope, no problem here

Well, I have to admit that I'm very surprised.

My method of checking is that each time I receive a new watch I check it for weeks, daily at the same time and put the results in an Excel sheet.

So, I noticed that some are loosing or gaining seconds on on day, but it seems to be more accurate when checking per week.

So, my latest check are those two!

GMT Master II Bk Noob with an ETA 2836.2 incorrect stack.

My recent JLC Navy seals with a clone of 2824.2 (allthough I have not enough history yet).

Well done!

I should get one again ;-)

Wear it well.

No prob, I wasn't sure if you had seen it, it's well hidden in the clasp link construction. I didn't relise it was there either until it was pointed out to me It's great at the end of the day or on a hot day and you just need that little bit extra for wrist expansion. I think each side is a half link or thereabouts. I do wonder though how durable that little feature will be over time and with a lot of use.

 

Also my screws are a little loose lately so I think some threadlocker is in order on those. It's a great rep overall, I would've liked the AR to be a little better but I've never seen the gen so I'm not sure if they were going for accuracy, but it is weak, it could be a little more transparent.

Yes, I agree about "how durable"...not only for the micro adjustment, for the entire bracelet as those screws are indeed loose.

1 of them on mine is already unscrewed in matter of hours.

All in this watch is in my top 10 at the moment.

As for the replication, from what I see on the photos of gens, it is very accurate.

Of course, we still have the usual "issues" like AR, Lume or bracelet, but at that price we can't expect the quality of a watch 20 times more expensive.

In the end we're luck to be able to wear them all!

By the way, has anybody open the watch yet to see what was the movement in it?

It's supposed to be a clone 2824 in mine ...and it is!

Great review Stephane!

 

 

I love my JLC and it gets the most wrist time of all my watches. And its starting to show.. :S

 

 

Thanks! 

Yes I suspect that this watch will be looking worn very fast 

Great review Stephane, it's a great watch, that number 3 is really bothering you

 

Also the bracelet does have a good fast micro adjust at the clasp, very good in fact, one of the best I've seen, just pull evenly and rotate the link inward or outward depending on which tighness or loosenness you want. I'm sure you've seen it but can't see it mentioned in the review.

Oh, well thanks a lot!

As a matter of fact I didn't realize that at all!

Brilliant 

Awesome review of a beaut piece, cougar your right on the micro adjustment, mine was the same as Stephane too tight or too loose till i found it !   I think the piece wears really comfy on the wrist and is even better now on new Black Shark from donerix.................now the 3 is bugging me though    Good on ya Stephane for sharing, I wish I could take pics that good 

Well, I know I'm a little passionate with my favorite brands !

So, yes, the "3" bothers me and yes JLC should try a version with a "3"!!! 

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy Seals Automatic Diver: The so called Noob Factory version.

Introduction.

Since you guys were showing yours, I discovered that I wanted one too J

At least, give it a try.
I’m a fan of Jaeger LeCoultre but certainly not of their super mega diver compressors!

None of the recent JLC suits my tastes, they all look like “m’as tu vu”/”Bling bling”/Show off”.

This one, I must admit, looks like a “Super Submariner” so why not?

As it seems that all dealers sell the same version, I went to Andrew (Trusty) to order one.

(More on the deal later)
 

The above photos are from a genuine Navy Seals.

The watch.
 

Here is a description of the genuine one:

-Brushed stainless steel case

-42 mm.

-22mm lugs
-Case thickness is 12.9mm.
-Mixed polished and brushed caseback secured by four small screws with the U.S. Navy Seals logo.
-Limited Edition serial number xxxx/1500 is engraved on the caseback. 
-The sapphire crystal is doomed, but only a bit.
-Quickset date at 3 o’Clock.
-Screw lock crown. White when locked, Red when unlocked.
-The black dial has raised markers.

-Lume is blue on the dial, green on the bezel.
-60 click (only?) unidirectional grey ceramic bezel

-Originaly it’s the JLC Caliber 899 automatic movement powering this watch (over 200 parts!).

Another genuine Navy Seals picture

The Noob version does very well replicate the genuine one.
Mine is precisely 42 mm without the crown and has 22 mm between the lugs.
The case is 9 mm without bezel and crystal, 13 mm with both.
 

The design.

Jaeger LeCoultre declares that they were consulting with the Navy to come with the design.

Ok, I can accept that, but I’m not sure I can understand why the Navy guys would ask for BIG digits at 12, 6 and 9 and not at 3!
The first reaction when receiving the watch was “something is no right”.
The fact that those digits are so big and that there is no “3” make it look like something is missing.

I personally prefer to have a date of course.

Wouldn’t it be more “balanced” to put the date window at 4 and add a “big 3”?

I’m in favor of that option. 

The Case.
The watch is 42 mm. It’s quite “big” too. But I must say it is not wearing anywhere like a 42 mm.
It feels like a supersized 40 mm. I mean it is not a large watch when on the wrist.

It is brushed and look very nice. Brushing the case is a great idea as it avoids to see all those tiny scratches from wear.

The Dial.

Well, again, it’s very easy to read but unbalanced.

The missing 3 bothers me a lot.

The fact that indices are raised is cool though as it makes the watch easy to read and so far I didn’t have to look twice to see what time it is. Oops, well maybe the hands should be a bit fatter? Yes they should.
The date window is easily spotted but the date is a bit small, or not fat enough, to be read at once though.

The Lume.
That is bothering me a bit: the lume of the watch is blue and the one of the bezel at 12 is green ??!!
In my opinion, this is really tasteless.

On the replication, the lume is very average. As usual, if you want to take full advantage of it, it should be relumed. I will go that route in case I want to keep the watch.

Gime some green 

The bracelet, caseback and clasp.

The Noob version comes with a “rubber Rolex type” bracelet. It has links with screws which is quite nice, but unfortunately no “half sized” links.

EDIT: Thanks to Cougar1, there is a micro adjustment right in the clasp!

Once again, I didn’t check the genuine rubber bracelet but I doubt it will capture as much dust in the first 24 hours.
I like it, but it is quite dirty if looked closer.

The movement

Inside the watch, it's a Asian 2824-2 clone.

Accurate or not? Bugs?

Hard to compare from pictures only of course.
I did never see a gen in the flesh.
But this is what I discovered so far:

-Engraving of bezel not deep enough

-Engraving of 45 on Bezel to close to crystal compared to 15 and 30.

-Screws of the rubber bracelet aren’t always so easy to remove and the three first ones starting from the lugs are fake.
-Also, but that is a JLC thing not a Noob factory one, there are no ways to fine tune the length of the bracelet. In my case or it is to tight or to loose.

EDIT: Thanks to Cougar1, there is a micro adjustment right in the clasp! So now it fits perfectly my wrist!

My feelings

I like the brand.  
I like the watch. 

But, once again, I am a bit frustrated to see Jaeger LeCoultre make new “trendy” models without considering the project as a global one.
Creating specific models for specific army corps is one thing.
Trying to create the “perfect sub” is another.

My conclusion is that the Rolex Submariner has a brilliant future for many decades more as they had for the past decades.
If Jaeger LeCoultre wants to compete then they should think “Mainstream”.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy Seals Automatic Diver is a perfect super sub wanabee but for now it looks like having been punished by removing the “3”!

The deal

I have ordered the watch with Andrew at Trusty.
The order was place on December 28^th, the QC pics were received on December 30^th and the watch, although with transit in the UK, on January 11^th.

I know there have been a lot of debates and threads about cartel and so on.
But, I always said I prefer professionals and since I came to this community, even if I bought a lot from members, each time I bought from Andrew was top notch.

Here is one of the QC pic and the watch when I unpacked it

All this in 14 days, no risks, and for an accurate watch.

Thanks for looking and reading.

Cheers

Stephane

I have no budget

I can spend as much as I want

excuse me but I am an Italian boy

'm new to the forum and do not know my bearings

What should I write in the search button???

I read in the forum that the watches can be bought at TTW

 

Well, that sounds good.

If you can spend as much as you want, go to your local Rolex dealer and buy a genuine Rolex!

That is the BEST choice ever

Strap experimenting

 

Hmmm, not sure if I like it

But you are right: need experiments prior to be sure!

Sorry to sound rude but you should really use the search button.

You're question is impossible to answer!

It depends on which model you want and the budget you want to spend.

I strongly recommend to read, then read, then read ...and you will make your self an opinion.

Prior reading, do not buy anything!

Heres a fourth one:)

Wow, 2 Navy Seals !

Well here a third one. Just landed today 

Sorry for the dirty pics, no natural light available 

I think the problem is more extensive than Reps/Noobs/ RWG, etc. The world seems to be getting less civilized in terms of

 

everyday manners. I don't know exactly why, I think the explosion of Facebook & all the gadgets people have may be part of it.

 

I thought because I live in NYC it was mostly a geographic thing- many high powered dicks here- but I think its more widespread.

 

Too many self absorbed, self-entitled  a-holes  running around. I have to admit sometimes I get swept up too.

+1 here.

Use the phone to TALK and hear a voice.

Then set up a meeting, like in the good old times, and shake hands!

The world today is making humans looking more and more like aliens.

All is virtual.

One of these days, s e x and love will lead to virtual babies...and then we will be erased from the planet!

Ooops, well then we must call an expert in!

I have no idea.

Sorry!

Hey there,

Click on the member's avatar, it will open the profile, scroll down to Feedback and then add feedback ;-)

Cheers

Stephane

Ken, come on mate...get a life 

Wow, 20.000, that is incredible!

Thanks for all the good stuff shared with our community! 

Ah sorry, i meant the longines!

Cool. It would have been very disappointing