The ties binding the Manufacture in Le Sentier to Aston Martin are both strong and beautiful. While this is not the first time that watchmakers have chosen to associate with car manufacturers, the difference here is that whereas certain others have merely been content with sealing their relationship by placing on the dial of certain watch models a logo usually found on the radiator grille of such or such an automobile, Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed a truly innovative and technical watch. After the AMVOX 1, which was pretty convincing in itself, the object of this testing bench goes well beyond a media stunt and clearly reveals the genuine partnership between the two prestigious names. And while there is doubtless something in it for both of them, their mutual love of high-performance, reliable mechanical engineering has always been the driving force behind their discussions. Witness this magnificent chronograph that we have explored on your behalf.

Watch exterior
In the case of the AMVOX, it is difficult to dissociate the exterior from the movement, since the new feature of this watch lies precisely in the interactivity between these two elements. Jaeager-Lecoultre does not go in for useless complications. So when the Manufacture develops a watch for the winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours race, a chronograph was the obvious choice. Nonetheless, when driving at 300 km/h at the wheel of a DB-R9, taking the time to find and operate a traditional push-piece (especially while wearing gloves) can prove pretty dangerous. The Jaeger-LeCoultre design engineers thus simply decided to do away with the customary push-pieces. But how then could the various chronograph functions be activated. The answer was a case middle pivoting slightly along the 9-3 o’clock axis and thus simplifying handling for the wearer (driver). To start the chronograph, a slight press on the upper part of the crystal pivots the case middle inside a “container” consisting of the case sides and lugs. This shift activates a complex system of levers which, via a water-resistant push-piece, transmits its movement to the stop-start lever. The same operation is used to stop the chronograph, while resetting is done by pressing the lower part of the crystal. Therein lay the difficulty, which was no easy task. To avoid any accidental handling, a dedicated cursor positioned at 9 o’clock on the caseband secures the mechanism by means of three distinct positions. The first locks all the chronograph functions (meaning the middle no longer pivots); the second enables the start and stop functions only; while the latter enables the full set of functions. The entire case is crafted in titanium and steel and owes its black colour to the titanium oxide coating that is far more resistant than PVD. As far as decorative features are concerned, the crown echoes the design of the radiator caps of the beautiful English “speed machines”, and its dial is directly inspired by their dashboard instruments. The hour and minute counters are placed at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively in the form of apertures opening on to rotating discs with a Superluminova base. And while on the topic of night-time readability, it should also be noted that the numerals on the dial are also coated with a black luminous substance – a first to my knowledge! A generous dial cut-out at 6 o’clock reveals the red reset lever that pivots each time the chronograph is reset. Since both brands prefer functionality to ostentation, the Aston Martin logo is discreetly engraved on the case-back.

Movement
The genuinely new feature of the AMVOX2 thus lies in the means of handling the chronograph controls, since this complex case houses Calibre 751, the movement already driving the Master Compressor Chronograph. This is an automatic column-wheel chronograph oscillating at 28,800 vph, featuring tried and tested rating performances and having undergone the Manufacture’s famous 1000 Hours Control programme certifying its reliability. The chronograph wheel is driven by a vertical-trigger mechanism that seems to be increasingly popular in new chronograph concepts. Jaeger-LeCoultre has succeeded in mastering this system, which has been a source of considerable problems for some other manufacturers, with the consummate mastery one has come to expect from the Manufacture in Le Sentier. The balance is fitted with four inertia-block screws enabling stable and accurate dynamic setting, rendered even more reliable by the twin barrel that achieves a power reserve of 72 hours. As usual, the decorative and finishing details are uncompromisingly and impeccably executed.

Tests
In terms of rating results, there are no unpleasant surprises. The amplitudes are outstandingly constant. The results of my amplitude measurements converged to a small range of 280° at 0H, 24H and 36H. There was very little difference between the instant rating recordings that lay between 0 and +7 seconds/day. What did prove amazing, however, was the difference in amplitude between measurements taken when the chronograph was triggered or disengaged. In vertical-trigger mode, the amplitude (contrary to chronographs driven by an intermediate wheel is higher when the chronograph is in action than when it is disengaged. Representing eloquent proof that this aspect is fully mastered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers, the differences in amplitude were virtually imperceptible. To achieve perfect control of the functions, the AMVOX 2 needs to be worn close to the wrist (a fairly tight fit). Since its case is extremely comfortable, this is not a problem. After one quickly adjusts to this feel, it becomes a delight to operate the functions so smoothly and easily in all situations, particularly when driving.

By way of conclusion
The case colour, the design that is so different from the rest of the collection and the fact of having to place one’s (normally gloved!) fingers on the crystal may draw some mockery from obstinate critics, and yet it is hard to imagine a product so faithfully reflecting the doctrine shared by both brands: pure, high-performance mechanical engineering with no compromises and no showy features. Completely won over by this model, I have just two regrets: the fact of having to give back one of the two prototypes generously loaned to me by Jaeger-LeCoultre for this testing bench; and not having been able to perform these tests in optimal conditions, meaning at the wheel of an Aston Martin.