Discuss 2 comments

Read

G-Shock vs. JLC Navy SEALs

written by A.Morgan - 27th Apr 2011

I have in front of me the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs (phew!) and the Casio G-Shock GW-9010 Mudman. At first glance it seems that this unlikely pair couldn’t be any more different – one’s cost is significant multiples of the other, which in turn uses technology that makes the first seem like an antique – yet, somehow, the match is closer than you think. Both are water-resistant to around 2-300m, both use rugged metals and rubbers for protection, and both are as likely as each other to be seen on the wrist of a trained killer.

So how can this be? Well, for starters, the Jaeger Le-Coultre was designed solely as a tool for a purpose; there is no fat to be cut here. It isn’t an elegant watch – it isn’t even pretty – but its style comes from its back-to-basics design and supreme durability. Built to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Navy SEALs, no detail has been left unconsidered, and it really does show.

Based on the standard Master Compressor Diving, it carries over the grade 5 44mm titanium case and rubber bracelet, with a few alterations. Firstly, the bezel has been swapped over for a black ceramic one which brings the very welcome addition of scratch-resistance. It also has the effect of completely changing the appearance of the watch; the grey numbers match the titanium, giving it a very industrial and sinister demeanour. The darker colours also serve to reduce the apparent size of the watch as well; the standard titanium bezel on the non-SEALs version heavily boosts the ‘chunk of metal’ feel of the case, making it feel visually bigger.

The second, most interesting addition is of the extra crown. Well, not specifically the extra crown, but the complication it controls. As well as mimicking the dial of the classic Polaris, it also has the alarm function too, which turns out to be surprisingly useful. It has a nice tone, and although fairly quiet, its chime lasts for around ten seconds, so it is hard to miss. The winding and setting mechanism for it is very easy to use, and can be set in seconds. Overall, it’s an unexpected, but very useful feature to have on a diving watch, giving it another dimension in usable practicality. Coupled with the standard rubber bracelet, it makes for one lightweight, comfortable watch, legible at a glance whatever the conditions. Its brutishness becomes forgivable because it is such a performer.

After that display, the lowly Casio has a lot to live up to. It certainly can’t compete in terms of looks; the resin case and strap, although supple, look and feel cheap – particularly compared with the rubber bracelet on the Master Compressor – but boy, is it comfortable. There are moulded resin nodules on the back of the case that cushion the watch on your wrist, and its meagre weight means it feels like, well, nothing at all. The strap is also easily long enough to wear over the top of a jacket, something the Master Compressor unfortunately lacks. And as impressive as the JLC mechanical alarm is, the Mudman pulls no punches when it comes to features. It has a multi-region radio controlled clock, various different types of timers and alarms (including a rally timer), a backlight for use in the dark and it is also powered by the sun.

When you think about it, it’s all over for the Master Compressor. But somehow; it’s not. After all, we aren’t strangers to paying more than what most people would deem sane for seemingly antique mechanical technology, but there is just no denying that there is something about the sound of that mechanical chime that a digital ‘beep’ just cannot live up to.

The aftermath proves that neither David nor Goliath can ultimately win here – both have put up a good fight and both do what they do very well, in very different ways – so it seems that there can only be one possible solution. You have to remember that the Master Compressor is no cheap bit of kit, and so it probably won’t see any day to day war as the engraved Navy SEALs logo on the back might imply. It does makes sense to own it for its rugged heft and unbeatable image, to wear around town, but it also makes equal sense to have the Casio as well as your go to watch for when you’re needed to go kick militant butt in the Congo.

I suppose you could say that this is a bit of a cop-out, but it doesn’t make sense to not have both. If you want the Master Compressor, you want the Master Compressor, and that’s that. But you may as well own it knowing that when you’re out mountain biking or rock climbing, and you smack your wrist against something hard, it’s the Casio that’s taken the brunt. Which it will, happily.