A classic returns to the spotlight this year with the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2. If for some reason you’ve never heard of the AMVOX collection then here are the basics. The original AMVOX was released in 2006 and was not just a car themed timepiece like everything else on the market, but was able to interact with certain models of the Aston Martin range of luxury cars by locking and unlocking them using a transponder with an antenna located inside the watch.
What made it even cooler was that there were no pushers on the case for this function, instead to lock and unlock the vehicle just press the scratch resistant sapphire crystal on either side. Pretty nifty right? The truth was that the watchmaking world fell on its knees in adulation of this supremely innovative accomplishment from Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin.
Though this was a tremendous watch like all first attempts, it did a have a few quirks. The biggest of which was that each of the three models corresponded only to either a DBS, DB9, or a Rapide. The new AMVOX2 solves this as it can now lock and unlock any model from the Aston Martin line. The AMVOX2 maintains the original theme with no pushers even though there is a chronograph function on this model. The chronograph works by using a sliding lever on the side of the case.
The case of this model is 44mm in diameter and it features a case height of 15.4mm. The AMVOX2 for 2014 is crafted from titanium. Fitted on this watch is a sporty calfskin leather strap with perforations and white contrast stitching. This strap features a double folding clasp made from titanium. The AMVOX2 from Jaeger-LeCoultre is water resistant to 5 ATM.
The movement used is the 751E, which is a self-winding caliber. The movement also features a twin barrel system, which stores as much as 65 hours of energy when fully wound. The bridges and oscillating rotor are decorated with ribbed Côtes Circulaires. The chronograph carries both a vertical coupling clutch and a column wheel, which make the chronograph not only more accurate but also smoother. The transponder system is battery powered and so battery replacements will happen from time to time.
The dial is black with a unique guilloche design and a bi-compax dial layout. The counters at the 9 and 3 positions display the chrono hours and chrono minutes respectively. The chronograph seconds are indicated by a central red colored hand. At the 6 position is a rotating Aston Martin logo, which lets you know if the watch is currently working. The hands are partially skeletonized, and are luminous for the reading of the time at night. At 5 o’clock is a date display window that fits in nicely with the other design elements of the dial. Along the ample flange is a seconds/minutes scale and markers for the positions of ‘Open’ and ‘Close’ for the transponder. Just to keep things interesting the bottom section of the flange between 4 and 8 is open worked revealing a glimpse of the powerful engine that powers this phenomenal timepiece.
TAGS: AMVOX2, Automatic Watches, Date, Exhibition Case Back, Haute Horlogerie, Jaeger LeCoultre, Leather, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Power Reserve, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Swiss Made, Titanium Watches, Water Resistant