JLC NSA - review

[lilhoody]

As promised for Rahul.

Last week I picked up an NSA from Zak the Lego Manic. This watch has been on my short list for a while; more so since I handled Paul's. I have owned the Navy Seal Diving Chrono in the past and while it is baddass in every way, it was large. The NSA rocks at 44mm and just under 17mm tall. Compare this to the chrono, which was 46+mm and more than 1mm taller. The chrono did not fit under my sleeves, but the NSA has slid under several so far.

44mm is one of my favorite watch sizes. The size coupled with lug length and angle, provides a great fit on my 7+/- inch. wrists.

The NSA has less WR than the chrono, but still packs enough resistance for my pool and shower. 300m WR versus 1000m WR on the chrono.

The chrono had 20 more hours of PR, which I enjoyed. 65 hours versus 45 hours on the NSA.

I am fascinated by the alarm. I like the contrast it provides on the dial, ease of use, the balance it's crown creates, and most of all, how cool it is JLC has packed this function into a mechanical wrist watch.

The dial is less cluttered than the chrono and has more personality than the diver. The Ti provides substance, without heft. The case finish is tops, as was the chrono and as expected from JLC.






The only two negatives to this watch are well known; sort of. The bezel pip is high and sharp. It picks up lint bad. Then, there's the articulated rubber bracelet. While many swoon over it, I've never been a fan. Now that I have tried it, I'm certain of it. I'm going to get the OEM rubber strap to replace the ARB.

Some would say it's blasphemy to speak ill of the ARB. I'm not a fan of how cheap it looks; like the bracelets on those Chanel watches. I'm also not a fan of the contrast between the case and bracelet. If the watch was rubber coated like the Galapagos, then perhaps it would work. The last reason is the butterfly clasp is a weak point. I bent my last one snowboarding. I expect more from a Navy Seal tested watch set up.

There I said it...go ahead let me have it.

[Panerai7]

Very nice watch, thank you for the review.
I'm sure I will own one these JLC divers some day soon.
I'm not a fan of that bracelet either (obviously just judging by looks alone) and would pick a cheaper option with rubber and wear it on my own leathers and zulus

[lilhoody]

Very nice watch, thank you for the review.
I'm sure I will own one these JLC divers some day soon.
I'm not a fan of that bracelet either (obviously just judging by looks alone) and would pick a cheaper option with rubber and wear it on my own leathers and zulus

I originally had a naked Ti bracelet with the chrono. It was neat and extremely well thought out (except the clasp). Switching to OEM rubber changed the watch for me, in a positive way. Sure it's less expensive, but in no way "cheap". JLC rubber is nice.

[dukerules]

Good review, Darin. The more I wear mine, the more I appreciate it. I'm also, in a selfish way, glad you're not digging the ARB. I need an excuse not to buy one. And I agree that the rubber is fantastic on this watch...the combo just feels right to me.

[cdnwatchguy]

I agree on the bracelet. It just doesn't work for me.

When I had mine I preferred it on the OEM Alcantara strap.

[jimyritz]

Nice review..Just a great watch...

[moishlashen]

Cool-nice review BD.

[BBK357]

Amazing watch Darin.
Enjoy that beast.

[craniotes]

Lay off the crack, boy-o, that bracelet is tits, pure and simple; and the clasp, with its ingenious microadjustment, is excellent.

Otherwise, I agree with everything you said – the NSA is a future classic.

Regards,
Adam

[tatsnguns]

Do navy seals get a crack at these for a highly discounted rate for the watch sporting its approval ?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[lilhoody]

Lay off the crack, boy-o, that bracelet is tits, pure and simple; and the clasp, with its ingenious microadjustment, is excellent.

Otherwise, I agree with everything you said – the NSA is a future classic.

Regards,
Adam

Now you have done it. Let me continue this review with more comments on the bracelet.

1. I find nothing ingenious about two tiny, albeit unsymmetrical adjustments. The micro adjustment on the Tudor Pelagos and modern Rolex are much better and undetectable.

2. I was totally impressed with the engineering in the naked Ti bracelet. For those who don't know the screws would not come out of the links, unless the links were folded at a 90 degree angle. So, even if a screw broke while on your wrist, you would not lose the watch.

3. The ARB has a similar safety measure, or so it seems, but it is not near as well engineered. Let's just say I was underwhelmed.

Adam knows his shit folks, but he is wrong on this one. He has lost all objectivity due to excessive koolaid consumption.

[BBK357]

[marchone]

2. I was totally impressed with the engineering in the naked Ti bracelet. For those who don't know the screws would not come out of the links, unless the links were folded at a 90 degree angle. So, even if a screw broke while on your wrist, you would not lose the watch.

That's impressive.

[greenlightning]

Great write up. Would love to own something out of the navy seal family sometime. I do wish they weren't called navy seal, however. Makes someone like me look like a real poseur when I tell someone what it's called.

[lilhoody]

2. I was totally impressed with the engineering in the naked Ti bracelet. For those who don't know the screws would not come out of the links, unless the links were folded at a 90 degree angle. So, even if a screw broke while on your wrist, you would not lose the watch.

That's impressive.

So as not to totally dismiss the thought/engineering put into the ARB, I'll tell you what they have done with it.

The ARB has opposing screws, deep screws, that are almost like stakes or pins, with threaded ends. They are not connected as in a screw bar and do not go all the way through the links. It appears if one of these were to break (unlikely two would) that the depth and independence of each would save the bracelet from failing.

Great write up. Would love to own something out of the navy seal family sometime. I do wish they weren't called navy seal, however. Makes someone like me look like a real poseur when I tell someone what it's called.

That was my original feeling. Maybe I caved? The only reference to the NS is on the case back. Had there been a Trident or other paraphernalia on the face or visible pats, I would not own one. I think most owners here would say the same.

[dukerules]

Another plug for the alarm. I didn't think I'd use it, but I do, at least once a week. An amazingly useful complication.

[Panerai7]

2. I was totally impressed with the engineering in the naked Ti bracelet. For those who don't know the screws would not come out of the links, unless the links were folded at a 90 degree angle. So, even if a screw broke while on your wrist, you would not lose the watch.

That's impressive.

So as not to totally dismiss the thought/engineering put into the ARB, I'll tell you what they have done with it.

The ARB has opposing screws, deep screws, that are almost like stakes or pins, with threaded ends. They are not connected as in a screw bar and do not go all the way through the links. It appears if one of these were to break (unlikely two would) that the depth and independence of each would save the bracelet from failing.

Great write up. Would love to own something out of the navy seal family sometime. I do wish they weren't called navy seal, however. Makes someone like me look like a real poseur when I tell someone what it's called.

That was my original feeling. Maybe I caved? The only reference to the NS is on the case back. Had there been a Trident or other paraphernalia on the face or visible pats, I would not own one. I think most owners here would say the same.

Agree, i had the same initial knee-jerk reaction to the Navy Seals affiliation of the watch. But at least it doesn't have Tom Cruise, I mean Top Gun engraved on the side of it. I can live with a case back alone.

[lilhoody]

2. I was totally impressed with the engineering in the naked Ti bracelet. For those who don't know the screws would not come out of the links, unless the links were folded at a 90 degree angle. So, even if a screw broke while on your wrist, you would not lose the watch.

That's impressive.

So as not to totally dismiss the thought/engineering put into the ARB, I'll tell you what they have done with it.

The ARB has opposing screws, deep screws, that are almost like stakes or pins, with threaded ends. They are not connected as in a screw bar and do not go all the way through the links. It appears if one of these were to break (unlikely two would) that the depth and independence of each would save the bracelet from failing.

Great write up. Would love to own something out of the navy seal family sometime. I do wish they weren't called navy seal, however. Makes someone like me look like a real poseur when I tell someone what it's called.

That was my original feeling. Maybe I caved? The only reference to the NS is on the case back. Had there been a Trident or other paraphernalia on the face or visible pats, I would not own one. I think most owners here would say the same.

Agree, i had the same initial knee-jerk reaction to the Navy Seals affiliation of the watch. But at least it doesn't have Tom Cruise, I mean Top Gun engraved on the side of it. I can live with a case back alone.

Omega's use of James Bond branding is far more of a turn off...deal breaker in fact.

[lilhoody]

Another plug for the alarm. I didn't think I'd use it, but I do, at least once a week. An amazingly useful complication.

I woke up to it Saturday morning, just to see if it would be enough to rouse me.

[kfalk]

Now that's a baller piece. Nice write up. Pretty intresting about the screws on the naked Ti bracelet.

[Panerai7]

Now if I can only decide which one first, BP FF vs. JLC NSA

[kfalk]

Now if I can only decide which one first, BP FF vs. JLC NSA

Now that's a good dilemma!

[craniotes]

Yeah, if it said SEALs or sported the logo anywhere on the face of the watch, forget about it. Same goes for my Top Gay perpetual calendar.

As for the bracelet, it's awesome and is the signature look for this watch. Darin, crack is a helluva drug; lay off it.

Regards,
Adam

PS - SEALs get the "family discount" on any of the NS-series watches.

[2canChew]

[lilhoody]

As for the bracelet, it's awesome and is the signature look for this watch.

I don't disagree. But the proletariat, here on Dee-Dub, has spoken.

PS: A signature look does not a good look make.




PPS: Crack is whack.