Haute Timepieces: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving GMT Lady

By Ariel Adams March 15, 2010

You know what I have never seen? A calculator decorated and studded with diamonds. Or how about a solid gold hammer? We typically aren’t used to tools getting such lavish treatments. The idea almost seems preposterous, but when it comes to watches the opulent mentality reigns – and we love them for it. This is especially true when it comes to tools like the diving watch. Its increasing popularity over formal timepieces stems from its durability and enhanced legibility. You might call the diver watch the most successful genre of timepiece to date. These types of timepieces are so popular, in fact, that women often choose to wear them with outfits that would disintegrate if they got wet, though their watches would be survive.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving GMT Lady watch in pink gold and ceramic is a perfect example of the evolutionary nature of diving watches – from pure tool, to pure luxury. A beautiful timepiece that implies a degree of activity but also femininity in the wearer, its personality is half ball gown, half wet suit. Jaeger-LeCoultre doesn’t claim that the Master Compressor Diving GMT is a true dive watch, but with 328 feet of water resistance, a rotating diver’s bezel, and a durable hard ceramic case and bracelet, the watch could likely put up with living out the dreams of its functional ancestors. Chanel put ceramic on the map for luxury dive-style watches with the J12, and Jaeger-LeCoultre has arguably offered its own version here. The luxury features are undeniable—with 18-karat rose gold metal accents and 16 diamonds on the bezel, the timepiece masks its “guy watch” heritage rather well. At 39mm wide, the watch is almost male sized. I have no doubt that more than a few men would even wear one, if only Jaeger-LeCoultre took out the “Lady” portion of the title.

You can’t really beat the prestige of an in-house made Jaeger-LeCoultre movement, especially one as fun and functional as this. Inside the Master Compressor Diving GMT Lady is a Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 971D automatic mechanical movement beautifully finished and offering the time, date (with “open” window), GMT window offering a second time zone in 24-hour format, and a movement operation indicator. This last feature is more for your eyes than your information. The quarter circle window above 6 o’clock has a multi-color spinning disc under it that presents a degree of visual movement proving the movement is in operation (otherwise it would not move, think of it as a feature in lieu of a seconds hand). Unlike most dive watches that have screw-down crowns, Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor watches typically have unique keys over the crowns that turn to unlock them.

With its diamonds and rose gold, this piece is truly a tool in disguise. Jaeger-LeCoultre enjoys reminding you that for many, a watch is still a necessary device, with their aggressively straightforward yet beautifully cohesive designs, this tool doesn’t need to sacrifice beauty and luxury for utility.