We are all aware that the basic function of a watch is to tell time, which is necessary for managing daily chores and schedules. But who doesn’t want to look like a high-status person? or enhance a professional image and communicate a sense of personal responsibility?
We currently live in a world full of dazzling and eye-catching timepieces. However, there is something inherently soothing about a serene and basic watch design. For individuals who enjoy subtle elegance, the traditional Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are ideal. The watch proved to be more than just a reflection of classic aesthetics; it’s a chameleon, adjusting to many styles and fitting into a variety of contexts.
In this post, we shall discuss the Reverso model by Jaeger-LeCoultre. We will offer a list of the greatest Reverso watches with distinctive features. But first, let’s take a brief look at the history of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
ABOUT JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO WATCHES
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watches are a line of premium timepieces distinguished by their distinctive square shape. With its rectangular body that can be flipped over to protect the dial, the Reverso was initially unveiled in 1931 and has since become an iconic watch.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is distinguished for its adaptability. The watch is offered in a variety of case sizes, materials, and dial designs. Aside from that, it is a watch designed for a combination of specific sporting activities and formal settings. Details on this can be found in the following section of the article.
Aside from its functional origins, the Reverso is also intended to be a piece of art. Various elements, such as the guilloche etching on the dial, contribute significantly to its high-end appeal. Jaeger-LeCoultre has also released limited edition Reversos with enamel dials and diamond-set casings in recent years.
HISTORY OF JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO WATCHES
Let’s go back to 1930. César de Trey, a Swiss businessman, happened to be in India, watching a thrilling polo match between British Army officers. Following the game, one cop approached de Trey, furious because his watch had been destroyed during the game.
This experience triggered an idea in de Trey’s mind: he wanted to design a watch that may help him avoid similar mishaps in the future. De Trey sought help from his friend Jacques-David LeCoultre and the renowned watchmaker Jaeger SA.
They worked with René-Alfred Chauvot, a great French designer, to construct a custom case for the watch. The timepiece could be flipped over thanks to Chauvot’s design, which protected its fragile parts. As a result, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was created. It began as a solution for polo players but quickly became an iconic timepiece.
The reversible case quickly became a defining feature of JLC’s brand. The Reverso has experienced numerous alterations over the years. With a vast choice of movements and dial designs to pick from, both men and women can enjoy the watch today.
OTHER NOTABLE JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO WATCHES
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s universe extends well beyond the Reverso. Let’s have a peek at some of their other incredible collections.
Master Ultra-Thin
Engineered to fit comfortably under your cuff. It has a 39mm case, which is ideal for a dress watch. The calibre 868, JLC’s ultra-thin modular perpetual calendar, is featured. This self-winding perpetual is only 4.72mm thick, making the overall thickness of the watch 9.2mm.
The collection displays everything from the day of the week to the date of the month using three registers and a moonphase at 12 o’clock. It also has an unusual aperture that turns crimson as dusk approaches. This feature advises that the wearer should not adjust their watch to avoid causing damage to the gears.
Polaris
The Polaris line is equally as well-made as previous models, and it will make you appear sporty. Its lines are dynamic, created via a blend of diverse finishes. The three finishes are as follows: a sunray pattern in the centre area, a prominent grain finish in the middle ring, and an iridescent matte finish in the inner rotating bezel.
The JLC calibre 898/1, an automated movement with a power reserve of 40 hours, is featured in the collection. Within the JLC lineup, the Polaris is the entry-level sports watch.
Atmos Clock
This clock does not require batteries or winding because it is powered by the air we breathe. The clock operates independently of human intervention due to a gaseous mixture contained within a capsule that expands as the temperature rises and contracts when the temperature falls. This mechanism distinguishes the Atmos clock as a mystical marvel.
Duoplan
The Calibre 101, which has been known as the world’s smallest mechanical movement since 1929, is included in the Duoplan. The movement itself is lightweight, weighing about 1 gramme, and there is a skeletonized version that weighs only 0.4 grammes.
The Duoplan movement is a group of movements that includes the Calibre 104, which has a distinctive beating rate of 20222 vph, the Calibre 403, which has the crown in the top right corner, and the Calibre 409, which is the largest in the family and has the crown on the rear.
Rendez-Vous
The Rendez-Vous collection is a women’s watch line. The Rendez-Vous Moon and the Rendez-Vous Tourbillon are among the time-only and intricate models in the collection.
THE BEST JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO WATCHES
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO CLASSIC MONOFACE (REF. Q2548440)
This is a medium-sized Reverso that will fit you best when you’re all dressed up and ready to close the deal. The characteristics of the watch are simple but attractive. It has a well-polished stainless steel case that swivels. When the case is swivelled around, the watch rotates by pushing slightly on the other side of the crown, and it aligns with the frame.
The polished stainless steel cover on the other side of the dial gives the Reverso a bracelet look, and it helps avoid scratches on the watch during any vigorous activity. The dial is silver grey with a vertical smooth brushed finish and a lovely, though basic, geo shape. The dial is finished with straight lines radiating from its centre and a well-crafted emblem at 12 o’clock.
The watch’s hands change from subdued black to sapphire blue depending on how the light strikes them. Nothing better describes the magnificence of this clock than seeing it. The 822 calibre in the Classic Monoface has a 45-hour reserve and manual winding. The lack of a second hand gives the watch a more mature appearance, with fewer clusters on the dial.
This Reverso appears to be the watch for that important deal you need to make. Reversos are noted for their intricately decorated straps, which are completely handcrafted. The strap has an easy clip-release design that makes replacement simple when necessary. The model costs roughly $8,100.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO CLASSIC DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS (REF. Q3842520)
This watch type debuted in 1994, and the name duo face implies that it has two faces. This watch features two faces: one with a classic white dial and one with a more sporty dark dial. This beauty features two distinct designs on both dials and may be worn with a variety of outfits.
The front dial is designed to resemble a regal watch. It has a lovely diamond pattern in the centre, a JLC logo at the top, and a little second hand at the bottom of the dial with the same diamond pattern in the middle. The brushed vertical finish of the printed Art Deco numerals adds to the dial’s timeless appearance.
The second dial of this watch is significantly different from the first, since it has a more rough appearance. It boasts luminescent indexes and hands. The dial also contains a stunning day/night indicator at 6 o’clock with two colours to distinguish between day and night, and it says travel time at the bottom.
One aspect of this watch that I find fascinating is how the crown is used to adjust the minute hand and a lever at the top of the case is utilised to alter the hour time.
This watch has a JLC inscription on the bottom, as well as water resistance of up to 30 metres and a 100-hour inscription, indicating the watch’s safety in nearly all aspects. The current price of this watch is $25,000, but when you realise it’s a two-for-one offer, the price appears a lot more reasonable.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO ONE MONOFACE (REF. Q328853J)
The Reverso One Monoface watch is easily one of the most stunning Reverso watches, with its gorgeous, graceful lines that exude femininity, to the guilloché decorated dial that complements its well-polished housing. This Reverso exudes class in every way. The top and bottom of the case are likewise lined with diamonds on this watch.
The model was created exclusively for women, and I must say that the designers of this watch went all in. The Reverso One Monoface boasts a striking dial with elegantly sculpted hands. It’s pure eye delight. The watch is available in a variety of dial colours and has an interchangeable strap that can be readily customised to meet the needs of female fashionistas. It is presently available for $7,650, which is a steal for such a lovely item.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE CALENDAR (REF. Q3918420)
This masterpiece was unveiled in 2016 to commemorate the JLC’s 85th anniversary. The calendar is its most distinguishing feature, with a date indicator at the bottom of the dial and a calendar aperture for the day and month at the top.
It is almost the same size as previous Reversos, however this edition is plated with delicate rose gold steel. This is a full-sized Reverso with a thickness of 11 metres and lug spacing of 22 millimetres.
With its well-polished dark brown alligator leather, the strap resembles watches from the 1990s. The watch also boasts a rose gold double folding clasp and an easy-to-remove strap that may be readily replaced if necessary. Another feature that drew my attention was its second dial, which has an independent time zone and a day/night indicator at the bottom of the dial.
JLC introduced the watch in 2016 with a sunburst case back and an off-centered origin point, and most of their watches have subsequently followed suit. The watch is water-resistant to 30 metres, with a manual wind, and a power reserve of 45 hours. This JLC Reverso model is presently valued at $16,700.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO SQUADRA WORLD CHRONOGRAPH (REF. Q702T470)
This JLC model has a long name. The Reverso Squadra World Chronograph, introduced in 2006, is a really interesting dress watch. This watch was produced by JLC in an attempt to return to their heritage of sports watches, and it was the best of the three squadron watches issued that year.
This model is extremely different from other Reversos available today, as it is automatic and has a water resistance of up to 50 metres, which is far greater than other Reversos. The watch is thicker than previous JLC models, yet it is still wearable. The dial of the watch includes unusually large Arabic numerals, which is unusual for Reversos, and it also has a day/night indicator at 6 o’clock.
This watch’s second dial contains one of the coolest features of all Reversos. It has 24 distinct time zones, and you can read the time in all of them without changing them; this model is incredible. This dial contains a night and day indicator to show you the time zone you are in at any given time.
It has a titanium case and is immediately distinguishable from every other Reverso on the market. The price of this watch varies depending on the vendor because it is a limited edition with just 1500 pieces created. This watch is highly suggested for persons who frequently travel to different parts of the world.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE MONOFACE SMALL SECONDS (REF. Q397846J)
This JLC model would look great on a smaller wrist because all of the components appear to be smaller than on other versions. The first thing I noticed about this watch is its strap, which is extremely different from previous models. This strap was developed by Kossof Aliano, who also created a limited edition of straps for JLC.
The well-polished red strap matches the watch’s red dial and is slightly softer and more flexible than prior editions. A small second hand is located at the bottom of the dial, as the name suggests. Another distinguishing element of this model is how rectangular it seems from the top, while from the sides, it appears to have a lot of curves. This watch is now priced at $10,600, and it will make an excellent addition to your collection.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO CLASSIC DUETTO (REF. Q2668432)
One notable aspect of the JLC is the amount of time and work that goes into making watches for ladies. The Reverso Classic Duetto is another stunning model created for women, and it exudes so much style.
This model has a stainless steel 21-millimeter case and a silver-gray dial. The blue dial hands match the straps wonderfully, making the watch look very basic and beautiful. This watch is presently priced at $11,100.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON (REF. Q392242J)
I’ve never seen a watch that is both elegant and stylish. JLC has mastered the art of bringing so many complexities together and perfectly resolving them in such a short space. The Duoface Tourbillon appears serene on the front dial, while the second dial has a lot of ruggedness to it.
This gold-cased watch has a second dial with a separate time zone, a second hand, and a day/night indicator. The engine’s mechanics and fittings can be seen through the dial, giving it a very macho appearance. This clock is one of JLC’s most recent creations and, in my opinion, one of the most amazing.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO ONE DUETTO MOON (REF. Q3358120)
The Duetto Moon Reverso. The brilliance of the watch does not end with its moniker. This is a feminine masterpiece with a celestial touch.
Its stainless steel case features an exquisite silvered guilloché dial on one side, and a mesmerising blue dial with a moon phase indicator on the other. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 842, a dependable quartz movement that provides accurate timekeeping, is at the heart of this watch.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE CHRONOGRAPH (REF. Q389848J)
It’s difficult to put a chronograph into a rectangular-shaped watch, but the Reverso Tribute Chronograph makes it appear easy. The leather band maintains the watch’s luxurious appearance. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 860, a manually wound movement, lies at the core of this timepiece.
This watch’s front face features a light blue hour and minute hand with a silver-gray, blue, or black coloured dial, depending on the casing you choose between the silver and gold models. The Tribute Chronograph’s second dial features a skeleton construction with case-colored minute and hour hands with a chronograph function.
It is not the same as the Squadra World Chronograph. It sports a blue seconds hand in the chronograph and a 30-minute counter at 6 o’clock that resets to zero every 30 minutes. This clock was released this year and is presently valued at $25,000.
CONCLUSION
The Reverso has evolved from a sports watch to a famous dress watch after more than 90 years of brilliance. Its unique case design makes it one of the industry’s most recognisable timepieces. With each successive design, the designers have surpassed themselves. The JLC Reverso timepiece has withstood the test of time.
The timepiece is recommended for individuals seeking for an exceptional Swiss dress watch that can be worn on a variety of occasions, as well as enthusiastic polo aficionados who can’t leave their wrist companion for the duration of a brief match.