Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2
Jaeger-LeCoultre knows how to pack a big punch in such a small space. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 does just that and more. At first glance this new chronograph may seem a bit congested and a tad confusing, but once you get to know the formula behind Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unique design you’ll fall in love with its bold new take on an old favorite.
The watch itself is powered by the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 780, with an impressive 569 parts and 70 jewels. contains a wide variety of functions that normally designate a watch to be quite complicated. Among them, chronograph, digital instant chronograph, second time zone indication and more.
However, Jaeger-LeCoultre has added some pretty cool alternative layouts to the functions, and backed them with an open-worked dial that reveals part of the movement beneath. The chronograph is at the forefront of the design. The chronograph minutes is a unique feature in that it is shown at 12 o’clock with an unprecedented jumping minute counter. The second counter rotates around the watch face, while the hour totalizer sits at the 9 o’clock position.
The cutting edge factor of the Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 gets quite intricate when we learn about its integrated crown to shift through functions easily. The manufacturer designed a push crown to conveniently rotate through three functional positions, winding (or N for neutral), GMT (dual time zone) adjustment, and main time zone adjustment. This intuitive method replaces the delicate pull out crown with a more sturdy and robust way of setting these complex transitions while also ensuring that the watch is definitively water resistant (to 10 Bar).
Close Up Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Dial
This unrivaled timepiece contains an added feature to maximize time accuracy. When setting main time, the second hand will continue to rotate. However, should you need to halt the seconds, there is push-and-slide lever on the side wall of the case at 9 o’clock that will stop it in its tracks. Equipped with a power reserve of 60 full hours, there is a power depletion meter (measuring 0-60) in the upper dial, referred to as the Radial Power Indicator, which turns from white to blue as the power diminishes. Yet another unique display function providing easy legibility for this complex watch.
The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 complex movement is housed inside the brand’s exclusive and highly durable 46.5mm case made of TiVan15 titanium alloy. The watch, complete with GMT dual time zone (at 3:00 next to the date), features a 24 hour display at 6 o’clock with its own central hours hand.
This powerful open dial concept reveals the inner structure of a very complex watch movement (even allowing you to see the date numbers along with the current date in the window at 3 o’clock). Yet the makers, through a balance of contrast and creativity, have developed an intricate and complex watch, that becomes easier to read once you allow yourself time to understand it. This model is priced at $53,000. For more information on the Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2, click here. For a look at another Master Compressor watch we reviewed while hiking in Peru, click here.
