Precision and reliability in time measurement for every situation: those are the core subjects of any watch taken aboard an expedition that is going to set out for an exploration of the boundaries of the world. During its whole history of 177 years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has dedicated itself to pushing precision and reliability to the highest possible levels in horology.
With this expertise, the Manufacture in Switzerland’s Le Sentier is launching the new Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2, a mechanical Chronograph with GMT-function, especially developed for use in the most extreme environments. This model is a rightful heir to one of the manufacture’s emblematic watches, the 1958 Chronomètre Geophysic.
As such, it has an undeniable link with the Master Compressor line, which in the house of Jaeger-LeCoultre stands for die-hard-sports watches with innovative functions and thoroughly tested mechanisms – outfitted with state of the art technology, the latest in materials science and watchmaking development.
The new model unites sporting spirit with technical prowess for a resolutely extreme design, with a maximum of comfort and ergonomics and the right technology to keep the highest possible precision and reliability. Several new ideas and inventions make the watch the primary choice for when the going gets tough: An easy to use function selector regulated through the crown, a patented digital patented jumping digital minutes counter for easy readability and a clearly visible power reserve and a GMT-function make this chronograph a step forward in the development of horology for real life usage – anywhere. Additionally the watchmakers tackle an age-old problem of horology – time deviation through magnetism. Together with scientists, they found an innovative way of shielding the going train from magnetic influences.
All this is housed within a rugged watch case with external chassis, made of the light and extremely resistant TiVan15 titanium alloy and outfitted with a scratchproof high tech zirconium ceramic bezel. Specially designed, easy to use push buttons guarantee failure free use even when wearing gloves and an innovative interchangeable strap system with double pin buckle makes changing straps fast, easy and safe.
To test their ambitious project, Jaeger-LeCoultre has sent the Master Compressor Extreme LAB2 out into the wild with a mountaineering expedition called “Expedition Geophysic” to conquer a virgin peak in the Himalayas, which has been christened the Antoine LeCoultre’s Peak.
The Geophysic Expedition to the Himalayas
In the spirit of this watchmaking past, Jaeger-LeCoultre, even before the launch of the new Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic, proves the watch’s sturdiness by sending it to the great outdoors, celebrating the spirit of its ancestor and the extraordinary functionality of its Master Compressor Extreme Line.
In the autumn of 2009, as a tribute to Geophysic, Jaeger-LeCoultre outfitted the “Antoine LeCoultre Expedition” consisting of three exceptional mountaineers, set out to conquer a virgin summit in the Himalaya. The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic was one of the three timepieces that guided the alpinists to the summit. The team consists of renowned Swiss climber Stephané Schaeffer and the Pakistani Sherpa Little Karim and the Nepalese world famous Apa Sherpa, who tackled the Mount Everest 19 times. They set out to climb a technically highly demanding 6589 meters peak in the backyard of Mount Everest. After a grueling climb – at the base camp already they had to force themselves through over 40 Centimeters of newly fallen snow – and under constant thread of avalanches, they reached the peak on the 22nd November 2009.
To honor history and high horology, they then christened the Mountain “Antoine LeCoultre’s Peak”.
For the climbers, who rely on the precision of a 1958 Chronomètre Geophysic watch as well as a Master Compressor Extreme LAB and the new Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic, the aim is not only to reach the summit, but to do so in the adventurous way of traditional “fair means” – classical mountaineering style. This concept of course fits neatly into Jaeger-LeCoultre’s tradition to combine the classical concepts of horology with modern technology for the demands of today’s world.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Chronomètre Geophysic launched in 1958, has set off the Master Compressor line with its credo of the watch was “shockproof, antimagnetic and water resistant” – technical features that can all be defined as 100 percent the goal of any Master Compressor timepiece.
With today’s new Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic, Jaeger-LeCoultre proves impressively that its watches are made for the extremes, a field requiring technical mastery, innovation spirit and high watchmaking – precisely the DNA of the Master Compressor line.
For more information, go to http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com.
