This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 was initially released with what may have been the longest name ever to grace a watch from La Grande Maison: Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 Tribute to Geophysic. The story at launch was that it had been tested to the extremes through being part of a mountaneering expedition to a mountain in the Himalayas that had never been conquered before.

After the Extreme LAB 2 had reached the top, the peak was named Antoine LeCoultre’s Peak. We are thus looking at a watch with the power to name mountains. Let’s see where that power comes from. The outside is not your typical JLC watch.

First impression is that it is huge, 46,8 mm. The next thing you see is probably the dial – or rather the complex, skeletonized movement with a two sub-dials, a date aperture and something that resembles another date function but is really a digital double-digit minute counter. Finally you notice the ceramic bezel that does not have any minute indicators.

Next you take a look at the case of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 itself. A beautiful but complex shape with an outer protective case with rubber elements on key parts to protect the watch and an inner case that protects the movement. The case itself is made of 143 parts. Attached to the case you’ll find one of the most overengineered straps you’ll ever see. It is made of two different layers of leather, supplemented by rubber elements. When you move the strap up and down you notice that it contains ratchets to help keep the large watch snug on your wrist. The strap has a very clever quick release function to allow you to switch to the even more overengineered rubber strap that comes along in the box. Even the buckle has been designed to perform, allowing it to expand/reduce the length of the strap.

No matter whether you look into the movement from the front or the back, you’ll notice the complexity of the movement. The caliber 780 consists of 569 parts (more that a Lange Datograph) that support its many complications including a chronograph with digital minutes and 24 hour counter, a radial power reserve indicator along the dial between 9 and 3, a GMT function with the extra hand hidden behind the hour hand and a day/night indicator on another sub-dial together with the running seconds. Added to these features you have a hacking seconds switch on the left side of the watch to help you set the watch precisely. And finally you have the ceramic crown that does not pull out but that you will need to push to set the watch or set the GMT function.

I first saw the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2, and the mountaineer that had worn it, at the official Danish launch in 2011. Ever since then I have dreampt of this watch. In 2021 I finally managed to strap one on my arm as an owner. It is still a large watch but it wears surprisingly well. It does get a bit of attention, more than usual for a JLC. Watch enthusiasts typically think it’s a Richard Mille and are quite surprised to find out that it is from JLC instead.

To me the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 is a watch that is off the beaten track and is an example of JLC rolling up its collective sleeves to show the rest of the industry what it can do. I love its brutal look and feel. You have the impression that it almost scares away the smaller dainty watches you meet along your way.