JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO - 4 NEW MODELS FOR 2024.
In late September, 2024 Jaeger-LeCoultre quietly announced four new models to the iconic Art Deco inspired Reverso collection. Mr Gumbatron had the great pleasure to be be hosted privately at the brand new Atelier d'Antoine in Hong Kong; A space dedicated to watchmaking with a real pedagogical focus. The space takes its name from the founder of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Antoine LeCoultre, as a tribute to his genius passionate mind and creative skills. An initiative that gives watch collectors, enthusiasts and members of the general public the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of fine watchmaking; through the lens and guidance of Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Now back to the new novelties, there are two new Tribute Monoface models offered in stainless steel, featuring either a silvered-grey opaline or a more and contemporary and vibrant blue sun-ray dial finish. However the real highlight was it’s revised case-size, more on that later.
Jaeger-LeCoultre also introduced a new pink gold cased, Reverso Tribute Duoface which was a throwback to the first models from 1931 with a sun-ray-lacquered blue dial, whilst on the reverse, a sun-rayed silver dial displays a 2nd time zone powered by the calibre 854.
The last release from the Reverso novelties in 2024 and the one that will set you back to most financially was the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in stainless steel. The watch features the same ultra-thin (9.15 mm) case from the previous years model that was finished in Pink Gold, with an open aperture at 6’oclock displaying the flying Tourbillon, which is also visible on the verso side. This timepiece is what I amusingly refer to as the “daily wearable tourbillon” due to its thin case architecture and the use of a more utilitarian case material, but that being said you will still need to set aside a cool USD$110,000/HK$855,000 to own one.
Let’s take a closer first look at these four new timepieces.
REVERSO TRIBUTE MONOFACE
Starting with my favourite and most welcomed release, not because of the new dial or the price but due to the fact that the Reverso Tribute Monoface has been updated with vintage proportions; the notably smaller case measures 40 x 24.4mm with a profile of 7.6mm, which is very close to dimensions of the original Reverso; making it perfect for the wrists of both men and women today.
An original 1931 Reverso compared to the new Monoface in steel. Image Source: Hodinkee.
The Reverso case size has always been the single most changes that I have been waiting to see for the modern JLC model, as much as I am a fan of complications and duo-face references (including the Jumping Hour Reverso Tribute Nonantième that I reviewed a few yeas back), the perfect modern Reverso to me has always been a simple, ultra thin two handed monoface variant.
This new Monoface Reverso comes in two dial variants which both have a clean and minimal aesthetics; available in a subtle silvered-grey opaline or a more modern blue sun-ray finishing, that is deeper that found on the Tribute Duoface; However the silvered-grey opaline dial is my personal pick of the two, with its classic and timeless execution, furthermore the lack of a small seconds display of this reference aligns with the "Less is More" attitude of this timepiece and makes for an enchantingly simple and balanced dial.
The quintessential Art Deco styling cues, including the pure lines of the gardons, the railroad minute track, applied trapezoid hour markers and the sharp dauphine hands are all there, as is the same hand-wound Calibre 822. The timepiece features a deployant clasp and is paired with a Saffiano leather strap by Casa Fagliano, further adding a contemporary touch to this charming vintage inspired Reverso.
This “new and improved” Reverso Tribute Monoface truly lives up to its “Tribute” title this time around, offering a perfect blend of historical elegance and modernity versatility in the most restrained manner.
Reverso Tribute Monoface comes in two dial variants; silvered-grey opaline and blue sun-ray finishing,
The Reverso Tribute Monoface is a timeless model perfect for those with average-to-smaller sized wrists or those who appreciate vintage proportioned timepieces. I eagerly look forward to new dial variants in the future (surely a black lacquer or rouge dial will ensue) as well as limited edition releases perhaps with a precious metal case. Let’s wait and see… I have a strong feeling that I will be adding one of these smaller cased Reverso Monofaces to my own personal collection in the future.
Specs
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Monoface
Reference Number: Q7168420, Q716848J
Dimensions: 40.1 x 24.4mm
Thickness: 7.56mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Opaline silver or blue sunray lacquer
Indexes: Applied non-luminous indices
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Gold-tan or blue calfskin with contrasting smooth and Saffiano finishes and a folding clasp
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The Movement
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber. 822
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour
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Pricing & Availability
Price: US$8,900 / HK$68,000
For more, head over to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s website here.
REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS
In its pink gold case, the Reverso Tribute Duoface is a throwback to the first models from 1931, with their emblematic codes: chemin de fer, applied hour markers and sharp dauphine hands. The front face of the watch boasts a deep, glossy, sunray-inky-blue lacquer dial the result of a complex lacquering process involving 50 production stages and 20 coats of lacquer. On the reverse, the sunrayed silver dial highlights every detail of the watch equipped with in-house calibre 854, which displays a 2nd time zone and day/night indicator. Offered with a system of interchangeable straps.
Personally for me I have always found the case thickness of the Reverso Duoface a little too thick and especially with a precious metal case, it can also feel a bit weighty too. Yes the concept a dual timezone watch is cool especially with the Reverso case, but I have been more impressed with other complication pieces that feature a similar case thicknesses.
Specs
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds
Reference Number: Q3982590
Dimensions: 47 x 28.3mm
Thickness: 9.613mm
Case Material: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)
Dial Color: Appliqued hour-markers, Blue, sunray-brushed /Appliqued hour-markers, Silvered grey, sunray-brushed
Indexes: Applied non-luminous indices
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Calfskin Leather,Blue with contrasting smooth and Saffiano finishes and pin buckle (Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats))
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The Movement
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber. 854
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour
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Pricing & Availability
Price: US$25,000 / HKD$194,000
For more, head over to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s website here.
REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON
As the name suggests, The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon has two faces, the front face is classic Art Deco elegance with a Charcoal Grey, sunray-brushed dial, faceted indices, sharp dauphine hands and a railroad minute track. There’s an open aperture at 6 o’clock framing the cage-less tourbillon which has no upper bridge ensuring maximum viewing pleasure for its wearer. The re-engineered flying tourbillon mechanism has 62 components and weighs only 0.455g! A true testament to “the watchmaker of watch makers” ingenuity and skill.
Adroitly the tourbillon is also visible from the other more dramatic side, its alter ego, there’s a floating dial displaying a second time zone, running seconds and a day-night indicator. The Calibre 847 is partially skeletonised and finely decorated with a rich dose of textured guilloché and anglage.
Two very different personalities but ultimately here the Art Deco spirit meets complication in the most sophisticated manner. In its steel case, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon harbors in-house calibre 847, just 3.9 mm thick and featuring the Duoface concept. The understated front, with its Charcoal Grey, sunray-brushed dial, conceals a reverse that has been crafted at the Atelier des Métiers Rares. Guilloché by hand with the Clous de Paris motif, the bridge required 232 lines of guilloché work.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 847: Manual winding, Components: 254, Vibrations per hour: 21600, Jewels: 31, Barrel: 1, Thickness: 3.9mm, Power reserve: 38 hours.
Specs
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Model: Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon
Reference Number: Q392845J
Dimensions: 45.5 x 27.4 mm
Thickness: 9.14mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Appliqued hour-markers, Charcoal Grey, sunray-brushed / Appliqued hour-markers, Charcoal Grey, sunray-brushed
Indexes: Applied non-luminous indices
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Calfskin Leather, Grey & Alligator leather,Black with pin buckle.
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The Movement
Caliber: Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber. 847AA
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour
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Pricing & Availability
Price: US$110,000 / HK$855,000
For more, head over to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s website here
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dress well, drink well. live well
L.M
