Fabulous watch Martyn. Enjoy!
JAEGER-LECOULTRE DEEP SEA CHRONOGRAPH (206.85.70)
I picked this watch up recently from Chrono24.pt from a private seller. This watch came with papers and service details from 2018 but not the original box. This was not too important to me considering its vintage.
This JLC model was released at SINN 2012, mine was originally purchased in 2013. This model is not to be confused with the "Tribute to the Deep Sea" which has faux colour indices and is slightly smaller and with a fixed bezel.
This model is 42mm diameter, lug to lug 49mm, depth 13mm (figures approximate).
The immediate USP is the disk below the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name. It is designed to show the diver if the chronograph (which can be operated underwater) is stopped at zero (white), running (white/red), stopped at time (red).
The watch is wrt to 100m with a rotating bezel and lumed bezel, including the first 15min markers, shock and magnetic resistant - this all adds up to a watch that is designed to satisfy ISO 1645 professional dive watch criteria.
running:
stopped at zero:
On my 6 3/4" (17cm) fairly flat wrist I find anything under 50mm lug-lug suits me, so this fits nicely. Being a dive watch with a bezel the size is best at 42mm. I think smaller may make the dial too small otherwise (IMHO).
The case back shows the tribute insignia and various engravings on the highly polished steel back:
I have swapped this onto a leather strap while I plan to get a rubber strap for pool duty. I think I'll send it for a service (which I factored into the sale price), so will not be wearing in a pool anytime until then.
The case sides are lovely - a mix of polished and brushed sides giving super contrast.
The movement is the JLC calibre 758: a column wheel vertical clutch chronograph, so can be run continuously without issue and has a sharp snappy start stop reset function from the pushers, twin barrelled for improved accuracy, 65h power reserve, tested for 1000hrs. Hacking seconds displayed at 6pm Subdial, with the other subdials showing running minutes and hours at 3pm and 9pm respectively. No date means no fiddling with that complication when setting from the watch box. The crown is buttery smooth.
For a diver neither crown or pushers are screw down they rather depend on seals for their wrt so I think a dry test would be worth doing every couple of years for safety sake.
This should complement my watches nicely and I am very happy with it after hunting for a while. I leave you with a couple more pictures and happy to answer any questions.
Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 29th May 2023 at 23:16.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
very nice pick up and review - I have always liked these...
I've also got one of these and agree with everything that has been said. A good watch that can be dressed up or down.
The only thing I would like on this is a deployment clasp. I've not looked into and perhaps JLC sell one that is suitable for it.
If anyone has bought a deployment clasp, be interested to hear their thoughts.
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Amazing looking watch. One I’d like to try now for sure. Enjoy.
That's a lovely watch.
"A man of little significance"
Super looking dial and the coloured discs add a nice detail and an interesting feature .
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Fantastic watch, I’ve admired them for a while. One that is definitely on my list.
A lovely watch Martyn.
Ideal for timing your sessions in the pool, once it has been serviced.
They seems quite hard to come by compared to modern (2020's) watches but there are some on Chrono24 but at a price - it depends if you want the 'full set with box and papers' or not. They got good reviews at the time of release - e.g. https://professionalwatches.com/revi...a-chronograph/
Indeed!
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Lovely, as a suck for chronos this one ticks the box for me.
That's good to know. Will do some digging.
Mine says hello!
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A very nice chrono.
Lovely watch! Nice review.
Great watch Martyn and great review :-)
Nice watch ,jlc make some interesting divers and chronos and are often a good buy pre-owned
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Nice looking watch and a neat little review.
When the chrono is running is the disc moving or static?
Lovey watch and a great write-up. Cheers!
Lovely watch and one I’d like to own at some point! Enjoy!
Very nice watch!
A great looking JLC, well done. And at least you avoided today's high price rises for JLC new models.
Very smart watch....like it.
lovely watch. I have been hankering after one of these for a while but I've been distracted by another chrono of theirs that I rather like too, which is the blue faced Polaris Chrono Q9028180. and I still can't make my mind up which way to go...so I have done nothing!
Lovely watch - I really want one of these!
I bought a green dial Polaris date at the end of last year and I've been looking for a chronograph to rotate it with. Not knowing that much about JLC the DSC wasn't on my radar until quite recently but now the want is strong! C24 have 3 or 4 for sale, mainly in the US, but they don't seem that widely available which is a shame.