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One other Friday, one other listing! A number of individuals on the Fratello group personal or have owned a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. One in every of them is Daan, who has a gorgeous Reverso Basic Medium Duoface Small Seconds. He often wears it on a leather-based and canvas Casa Fagliano strap. Final week, although, he swapped it for an Arroway mesh bracelet, which seems superior. One picture of that mixture abruptly resulted in an enormous Reverso search within the Fratello places of work. On the finish of that search, one of many principal takeaways was that there are such a lot of Reversos to select from, it will probably nearly be overwhelming. That’s why now we have lined up our prime 5 Reverso fashions for this week’s listing.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is among the watch trade’s iconic names that attracts in lots of lovers. If that curiosity turns into the urge to need one, that’s the place it will probably get tough, just because there are such a lot of choices. Before everything, it’s important to discover the appropriate dimension. After that, prepare to check the totally different variations.
The picture of Daan’s Reverso Basic Duoface Small Seconds that impressed this text
Would you want a Reverso Monoface, or do you favor a Duoface? Does it have to be chrome steel, or will you think about a gold Reverso as properly? Then comes the query of your accessible finances. This determination tree can really feel daunting. That’s why now we have picked the highest 5 Reverso choices that we encountered throughout our in depth search after seeing how good Daan’s Reverso seems on that Arroway mesh bracelet. What we shortly found is that we love the essential fashions essentially the most as a result of they respect the unique design one of the best. Let’s discover out extra!
The Grande Reverso Extremely Skinny Tribute to 1931 — Picture: Wind Classic
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Extremely Skinny Tribute to 1931
We’ll kick this listing off with not only one watch however a sequence of Reversos. In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the Eightieth anniversary of the Reverso in fashion. The model launched three particular fashions for the event, with two in chrome steel and one in rose gold. All three had been lovely tributes to the primary Reverso from 1931. They featured a case measuring 46mm lengthy, 27.5mm broad, and solely 7.2mm thick. Because of its slim profile, the watches are very straightforward to put on in comparison with among the thicker Reversos, as Robert-Jan defined.
The Grande Reverso Extremely Skinny Tribute To 1931 US Version — Picture: Mr. Watchley
Jaeger-LeCoultre used its caliber 822 to energy these fashions. This 19-jewel manual-winding caliber operates at 21,600vph and gives 42 hours of energy reserve. Jaeger-LeCoultre gave one of many chrome steel fashions a black dial with white hour markers and sword-style palms, additionally with crisp white lume. The second chrome steel model was a US unique that featured a black dial with faux-vintage lume for the palms and markers. This model additionally has syringe-style palms to make it look totally different.
The Grande Reverso Extremely Skinny Tribute to 1931 in 18K rose gold — Picture: Wind Classic
Dials with hanging simplicity
The third mannequin was an 18K rose gold one with a white dial that includes Arabic numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock. Moreover, the baton hour markers had been painted gold for an much more unique look. The one factor about these three variations that we like is the simplicity of the dials. By utilizing solely the phrase “Reverso” on the highest half, the emphasis is on the brilliantly easy dial design.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The story continues…
However Jaeger-LeCoultre determined that these three Eightieth-anniversary fashions weren’t the tip of the sequence. Within the years after, a sequence of usually very restricted variations adopted. Amongst them was a chrome steel Version Spécial Rouge in 2012 with a gorgeous crimson dial and a shocking green-dial model for the London JLC boutique, which was a restricted version of 26 items.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
One other standout was the model with a blue enamel dial from 2013. This particular Duoface featured one other time zone on the second opaline white dial completed with Clous de Paris guilloché. Many individuals praised this particular boutique version as among the finest of the sequence, and it’s straightforward to see why. It merely is a shocking model of the traditional Reverso. Wanting on the face of the watch, the one giveaway that there’s something particular about it (apart from its blue dial) is the pusher on the appropriate facet of the case.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The primary three fashions, though restricted, are straightforward to search out on the market. Curiously, the rose gold one goes for not way more than the 2 chrome steel variations. Anticipate to see costs begin at roughly €9K for the chrome steel fashions and transfer as much as €13K. The rose gold variant begins at roughly €11K and strikes as much as €13K as properly. All of the totally different fashions that got here after are being provided at numerous costs. As you’ll perceive, the attractive red- and green-dial variations go for considerably extra. General, although, this sequence is the right opener for the listing.
Picture: Chroneo
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface “Evening & Day” ref. 270.8.54
Our subsequent decide is among the extra reasonably priced pre-owned Reverso fashions. Beginning in 1991, underneath the route of Günter Blümlein and Henry-John Belmont, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched issues to the Reverso. This marked a brand new starting for the watch and, basically, began the story of the Reverso as we all know it as we speak. Probably the most outstanding fashions that got here three years later was the Reverso Duoface.
Picture: Chroneo
The watch’s precept was so simple as it was sensible. The front-facing dial shows the native time, however if you happen to flip the case round, you’ll be able to hold monitor of the house time. This was attainable because of a second dial displaying an unbiased time zone and a sub-dial that served as a day/evening indicator.
Picture: Chroneo
The Reverso Duoface ref. 270.8.54 got here with the Grande Taille case, which had debuted in 1991. The case was 42mm lengthy, 26mm broad, and 9mm thick. It launched up to date dimensions that had been way more to the liking of watch followers within the Nineties. As you’ll be able to see, the principle silver dial has lovely guilloché patterns and a small seconds show at 6 o’clock.
Picture: Chroneo
The in-house caliber 854
In the event you flip the case, you might be greeted by a black dial that’s equally refined and much more detailed. It options a big show for the time and a smaller 24-hour register. Simply take a look at this superbly executed dial, and also you’ll perceive why it’s straightforward to fall in love with a Reverso.
Contained in the case, you can see the manual-winding caliber 854. It consists of 180 elements, operates at 21,600vph, and gives 45 hours of energy reserve.
picture: Chroneo
This watch seems good on quite a lot of straps, however I’ve at all times adored it on the chrome steel bracelet. It transforms the Reverso from a dressy, classic-looking timepiece to a sublime day by day wearer. Now you’ll in all probability additionally perceive why we liked seeing Daan’s Reverso on the mesh bracelet.
Picture: Chroneo
Anyway, costs for this traditional Duoface begin at roughly €6K and transfer as much as a bit over €10K for the newer fashions from the early 2000s in nice situation. However it’s best to simply have the ability to get one between €5.5K and €8K.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Artwork Deco ref. 277.34.60
The subsequent decide is an absolute stunner from the model’s Artwork Deco sequence, which was produced from 1992 till 2002. As a part of the sequence, Jaeger-LeCoultre produced the primary Reverso Artwork Deco with an engraved skeletonized motion. As you’ll perceive, it makes this Artwork Deco mannequin instantly stand out. However the magic begins on the entrance with this. The watch combines a white gold Grand Taille case (42mm × 26mm × 10mm) with a shocking salmon dial.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The guilloché end seems merely superb. Jaeger-LeCoultre additionally modified up the dial design. It options utilized white gold dagger-style indexes, with two razor-sharp white gold dauphine palms hovering above all of it.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The skeletonized caliber 822AD seems gorgeous
In the event you flip the case over, you’ll be greeted by the skeletonized caliber 822AD. Basically, it’s an open-worked model of the common caliber 822. The time-only motion operates at 21,600vph and gives 45 hours of energy reserve. However simply take a look at it! The way in which it’s executed is great. The rose-gold-gilded motion seems superb and natural. The person elements had been freehand engraved, displaying a powerful stage of workmanship. Actually, I might usually be tempted to put on the watch with the motion dealing with me. It simply seems that good!
Discovering one of many white gold Artwork Deco fashions will be difficult. The model produced 200 items in white gold and 900 in rose gold. As you’ll perceive, the white gold ones don’t pop up usually. After they do, you’ll often see costs between roughly €15K and €25K. If you’ll find one within the decrease half of that worth vary, it’s an absolute cut price. This Reverso Artwork Deco is a correct show of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s distinctive watchmaking abilities.
Picture: The Watch Membership
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds
Now we transfer on to the primary mannequin on this listing that’s nonetheless a part of as we speak’s Reverso assortment. When the blue-dial Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in metal debuted in 2018, followers agreed that it was an awesome trendy model of the traditional Reverso design. This led to a palpable hype surrounding the watch. In 2019, the model added a model with a deep crimson dial after which adopted that with a inexperienced Boutique Version in 2021. As the most recent addition to the lineup, JLC launched a model with a silver opaline dial final 12 months.
Picture: The Watch Membership
No matter which one you want, the design of this Monoface Small Seconds is great. The watches all have a forty five.6mm × 27.4mm × 8.51mm case. That case is mixed with lovely sunray dials for the three colourful variations. On prime of those dials are faceted and polished hour markers matched with dauphine palms for an awesome look.
Picture: Zeituaktion
However the one aspect I am keen on most is the detailed round small seconds register. In comparison with earlier variations, it’s bigger, and the circle is grounded within the outer monitor. On prime of that, if you happen to look nearer, you will notice that it isn’t an ideal circle. The markers alternate in dimension superbly. In consequence, the dial design seems strict however has its welcome quirky little particulars.
A silver opaline dial with darkish grey indexes
For the model with the crisp silver opaline dial, the designers determined to make the markers and palms a darker grey. To be trustworthy, I’m not significantly a fan of this. If they’d used the common faceted and polished palms, I feel it will have made that model an absolute stunner.
It should be famous that this design selection is rooted within the model’s historic archives. Then once more, if you would like a “customary” black or white model of this magnificence, it isn’t accessible at this level. Having mentioned that, now we have had all 4 colour choices within the workplace, and the crimson, inexperienced, and blue variations are nothing in need of spectacular each time we see them.
Picture: The Watch Membership
Contained in the case, Jaeger-LeCoultre equips the watches with its caliber 822, the identical motion as within the Tribute to 1931. As soon as once more, this hand-wound motion runs at a frequency of 21,600vph, options 19 jewels, and has an influence reserve of 42 hours. As with most Monoface fashions, the motion is safely hidden behind the case again.
Picture: The Watch Membership
One of many issues that all of us instantly mentioned was how nice these colourful variations would look on the mesh bracelet that Daan paired along with his Duoface. New, the chrome steel Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds fashions value €11,500. Nonetheless, a look at costs for pre-owned examples reveals that they begin at roughly €7K. Whether or not new or pre-owned, this can purchase you a collective favourite from the present Reverso assortment.
Picture: Second Motion
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Basic Monoface Small Seconds
Our final decide is the Reverso Basic Monoface Small Seconds. In case you are searching for essentially the most easy mannequin sporting the seems that most individuals will affiliate with the trendy Reverso, that is it. Presently, this mannequin is simply accessible with a big 45.6mm × 27.4mm × 8.51 case. However if you happen to go pre-owned, additionally, you will have the ability to discover a smaller model that measures 42.9mm × 25.5mm. The dimensions distinction won’t appear that important, however as Daan defined within the article about his Reverso, totally different dimensions result in fully totally different sporting experiences.
Picture: Second Motion
The element and ending of the Reverso Basic dials are fully totally different from the sunray dials from the Tribute variations. The silvered backdrop includes a vertically brushed outer part that holds the black Arabic numerals. The inside portion options a gorgeous, intricate guilloché texture. Lastly, there’s the oblong small seconds show at 6 o’clock. As you’ll be able to see, the dial is contrasted by a blued handset that appears tremendous good. The look of this dial has turn into a traditional that many individuals adore.
Picture: Second Motion
Costs for the totally different variations fluctuate
Contained in the circumstances of each the massive and small variations is JLC’s in-house caliber 822, similar to the Tribute fashions we featured above. A brown calfskin leather-based strap completes the ensemble.
Picture: Second Motion
The present listing worth for the Basic Monoface Small Seconds with the massive case is €11,500. Costs for pre-owned examples begin at roughly €6.5K and simply transfer as much as €10K. The model with the smaller case is simply accessible pre-owned, and it goes for roughly related costs as its greater brother. That can purchase you a timeless Reverso sporting the seems that many watch followers know and love.
Ultimate ideas on our prime 5 Reverso fashions
There you’ve got it — our listing of 5 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso fashions that we like. You may be considering, “The place are the difficult and precious-metal fashions?” And you’d be proper; other than the white gold Reverso Artwork Deco and a point out of the rose gold Tribute to 1931, they’re certainly lacking from this listing. However as I already defined, we made some deliberate selections. First, we like our Reversos as skinny as attainable, and these fashions match that criterion.
Moreover, we needed to offer an summary of chrome steel Reversos to provide you an thought of among the most attainable choices. Though I admit that the gold variations of the totally different fashions on this listing are usually not ridiculously dearer than their metal counterparts, after going over the totally different choices, I can envision making a follow-up to this Prime 5. Within the meantime, look out for a brand new listing subsequent Friday!
