One other Friday, one other checklist! 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 Traditional Medium Duoface Small Seconds. He normally wears it on a leather-based and canvas Casa Fagliano strap. Final week, although, he swapped it for an Arroway mesh bracelet, which appears superior. One photograph of that mixture immediately resulted in an enormous Reverso search within the Fratello workplaces. On the finish of that search, one of many principal takeaways was that there are such a lot of Reversos to select from, it might probably nearly be overwhelming. That’s why we have now lined up our prime 5 Reverso fashions for this week’s checklist.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is likely one of the watch trade’s iconic names that pulls in lots of lovers. If that curiosity turns into the urge to need one, that’s the place it might probably get difficult, just because there are such a lot of choices. At first, you must discover the precise measurement. After that, prepare to check the completely different variations.
Would you want a Reverso Monoface, or do you like a Duoface? Does it should be stainless-steel, or will you think about a gold Reverso as nicely? Then comes the query of your accessible finances. This resolution tree can really feel daunting. That’s why we have now picked the highest 5 Reverso choices that we encountered throughout our intensive search after seeing how good Daan’s Reverso appears 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 the very 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 checklist off with not only one watch however a collection of Reversos. In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the Eightieth anniversary of the Reverso in type. The model launched three particular fashions for the event, with two in stainless-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 huge, and solely 7.2mm thick. Because of its slim profile, the watches are very simple to put on in comparison with among the thicker Reversos, as Robert-Jan explained.
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 stainless-steel fashions a black dial with white hour markers and sword-style arms, additionally with crisp white lume. The second stainless-steel model was a US unique that featured a black dial with faux-vintage lume for the arms and markers. This model additionally has syringe-style arms to make it look completely 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. Through the use of solely the phrase “Reverso” on the highest half, the emphasis is on the brilliantly simple dial design.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The story continues…
However Jaeger-LeCoultre determined that these three Eightieth-anniversary fashions weren’t the tip of the collection. Within the years after, a collection of usually very restricted variations adopted. Amongst them was a chrome steel Version Spécial Rouge in 2012 with a gorgeous pink dial and a surprising 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 top-of-the-line of the collection, and it’s simple to see why. It merely is a surprising model of the basic Reverso. Trying 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 precise facet of the case.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The primary three fashions, though restricted, are easy to find for sale. Curiously, the rose gold one goes for not rather more than the 2 stainless-steel variations. Anticipate to see costs begin at roughly €9K for the stainless-steel fashions and transfer as much as €13K. The rose gold variant begins at roughly €11K and strikes as much as €13K as nicely. All of the completely different fashions that got here after are being supplied at numerous costs. As you’ll perceive, the gorgeous red- and green-dial variations go for considerably extra. Total, although, this collection is the right opener for the checklist.
Picture: Chroneo
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface “Night time & Day” ref. 270.8.54
Our subsequent decide is likely one of the extra inexpensive pre-owned Reverso fashions. Beginning in 1991, beneath the course of Günter Blümlein and Henry-John Belmont, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched issues to the Reverso. This marked a brand new starting for the watch and, primarily, began the story of the Reverso as we all know it at the moment. One of the vital exceptional fashions that got here three years later was the Reverso Duoface.
Picture: Chroneo
The watch’s precept was so simple as it was good. The front-facing dial shows the native time, however when you flip the case round, you may preserve observe 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/night time 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 huge, and 9mm thick. It launched modern dimensions that had been rather more to the liking of watch followers within the Nineties. As you may see, the primary 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’re 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 have a look at this fantastically executed dial, and also you’ll perceive why it’s simple to fall in love with a Reverso.
Contained in the case, you can find 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 appears good on a wide range of straps, however I’ve all the time adored it on the stainless-steel bracelet. It transforms the Reverso from a dressy, classic-looking timepiece to a sublime day by day wearer. Now you’ll most likely additionally perceive why we beloved seeing Daan’s Reverso on the mesh bracelet.
Picture: Chroneo
Anyway, costs for this classic Duoface begin at roughly €6K and transfer as much as a little bit over €10K for the newer fashions from the early 2000s in nice situation. However you must simply be capable of 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 collection, which was produced from 1992 till 2002. As a part of the collection, 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 surprising salmon dial.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The guilloché end appears merely wonderful. Jaeger-LeCoultre additionally modified up the dial design. It options utilized white gold dagger-style indexes, with two razor-sharp white gold dauphine arms hovering above all of it.
Picture: Mr. Watchley
The skeletonized caliber 822AD appears beautiful
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 have a look at it! The way in which it’s executed is great. The rose-gold-gilded motion appears wonderful and natural. The person elements had been freehand engraved, displaying a powerful stage of workmanship. Truthfully, I’d usually be tempted to put on the watch with the motion going through me. It simply appears that good!
Discovering one of many white gold Artwork Deco fashions may 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 often. After they do, you’ll normally see costs between roughly €15K and €25K. If you will discover 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 expertise.
Picture: The Watch Membership
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds
Now we transfer on to the primary mannequin on this checklist that’s nonetheless a part of at the moment’s Reverso assortment. When the blue-dial Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in metal debuted in 2018, followers agreed that it was an incredible fashionable model of the basic Reverso design. This led to a palpable hype surrounding the watch. In 2019, the model added a model with a deep pink 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 yr.
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 arms for an incredible 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 observe. On prime of that, when you look nearer, you will notice that it isn’t an ideal circle. The markers alternate in measurement fantastically. Because of this, the dial design appears 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 arms a darker grey. To be sincere, I’m not notably a fan of this. If they’d used the common faceted and polished arms, I believe it could 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’d like a “normal” black or white model of this magnificence, it isn’t accessible at this level. Having stated that, we have now had all 4 shade choices within the workplace, and the pink, inexperienced, and blue variations are nothing wanting 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 stated was how nice these colourful variations would look on the mesh bracelet that Daan paired together with his Duoface. New, the stainless steel Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds fashions price €11,500. Nevertheless, a look at prices for pre-owned examples reveals that they begin at roughly €7K. Whether or not new or pre-owned, it will purchase you a collective favourite from the present Reverso assortment.
Picture: Second Motion
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Traditional Monoface Small Seconds
Our final decide is the Reverso Traditional Monoface Small Seconds. In case you are in search of essentially the most simple mannequin sporting the appears that most individuals will affiliate with the fashionable Reverso, that is it. Presently, this mannequin is just accessible with a big 45.6mm × 27.4mm × 8.51 case. However when you go pre-owned, additionally, you will be capable of discover a smaller model that measures 42.9mm × 25.5mm. The scale distinction won’t appear that vital, however as Daan explained within the article about his Reverso, completely different dimensions result in fully completely different sporting experiences.
Picture: Second Motion
The element and ending of the Reverso Traditional dials are fully completely different from the sunray dials from the Tribute variations. The silvered backdrop incorporates a vertically brushed outer part that holds the black Arabic numerals. The inside portion options a gorgeous, intricate guilloché texture. Lastly, there may be the oblong small seconds show at 6 o’clock. As you may see, the dial is contrasted by a blued handset that appears tremendous good. The look of this dial has develop into a basic that many individuals adore.
Picture: Second Motion
Costs for the completely 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 checklist worth for the Classic 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 just accessible pre-owned, and it goes for roughly comparable costs as its larger brother. That may purchase you a timeless Reverso sporting the appears that many watch followers know and love.
Ultimate ideas on our prime 5 Reverso fashions
There you’ve got it — our checklist of 5 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso fashions that we like. You is perhaps pondering, “The place are the sophisticated and precious-metal fashions?” And you’ll 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 checklist. 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 supply an summary of stainless-steel Reversos to provide you an thought of among the most attainable choices. Though I admit that the gold variations of the completely different fashions on this checklist usually are not ridiculously dearer than their metal counterparts, after going over the completely different choices, I can envision making a follow-up to this High 5. Within the meantime, look out for a brand new checklist subsequent Friday!
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