Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) has a thing with sound. Since 1959, JLC has been building alarms for the wrist. As such, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy Seals Alarm Watch (NSA) follows in the footsteps of giants such as the Deep Sea (1959) and the Polaris (1968) as well as the rest of the Memovox range through the years.

The NSA is a big watch at approx. 44mm in diameter and – not least – a case height of just above 16mm. I have owned this watch for more than 10 years and I have taken down quite a few door sills over the years. The case is made from titanium which does help to keep the weight down in spite of the size of the watch.

The Navy Seals series of watches was launched in 2010 as an extension of the Master Compressor series. This means that the Navy Seals series also makes use of the compressor crowns that help keep the watches waterproof at great depths. The compressor crowns can be unlocked by turning them – when you see the red markings, the crown is unlocked and the watch is no longer waterproof. The crowns also help give the watch its characteristic look.

On the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Navy Seals Alarm Watch, you’ll find two compressor crowns. One for setting the time and one for setting the alarm and the date. If you unlock the alarm crown and turn it, you will see the central disk on the dial turn. This is how you set the alarm. You also use this crown to wind the alarm. As it is mechanical, you’ll need to wind it in order to make it work at the assigned time. The sound of the alarm sounds a bit like a school bell calling for recess.

The dial is quite stark in its design with military-style numbers and very good lumen for night-time use. The hands are quite substantial and very legible as well. The NSA has its own style – but if you look at the dial of a 1968 Polaris, you’ll see that they are related.

Look no further if you are looking for an alternative to the usual divers’ watches.