The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is now 92 years old and remains one of the biggest watch icons in the world. Powered by the JLC manufacture calibre 853, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar features a complete calendar with moon phases, a second time zone, and a day/night indication. On the front, the watch reinterprets the aesthetic codes of the Art Deco-inspired collection launched in 1931 with elegance and refinement, while on the reverse side, a new dial with a sunray finish features a bewitching dark gray color and a night and day disc, perfectly integrated into the new design.
Created in 1931, at the height of the Art Deco period, the Reverso was developed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’ —specifically, the polo player. A masterful integration of form and function, with its clean lines and flip-over case, it has become one of the world’s most recognizable watches —an icon, in the true sense of the word. Soon after its introduction, as the Reverso was adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, new variations appeared.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar is cased in 18K pink gold in the traditional Reverso-shaped case but in a larger version when compared to its 1931 counterpart. The case measures 49.4 mm in length by 29.9 mm in width with a thickness of 10.9 mm. The swiveling case mechanism reveals two watches in one with to very unique looking dials.
On the recto side —front dial—, the codes of the 1931 Reverso remain unchanged with the signature gadroons on the top and bottom of the case, the chemin-de-fer minuterie, the hours are marked by straight faceted applied indexes, doubled indexes at 12 o’clock and Dauphine hands that continue to indicate the hours and minutes. This side of the watch features a strikingly beautiful silver-grey sunray brushed with a date and moon phase indication at 6 o’clock and a day of the week and month apertures at 12 o’clock. The contrast provided by the date indicating hand with a quarter moon in red provides great readability against the blue backdrop of the moon phase indication.
Meanwhile the verso dial —reverse dial— is sunray finished in charcoal grey with a refreshed look characterized by the new hour markers, now set along the exterior periphery of the chemin-de-fer minuterie located at the center of the dial. An ultimate touch of refinement, the day/night indication is now set behind the hour-and-minute counter in a midnight blue disc with the gold sun, moon, and stars. The color combination between the charcoal grey and the midnight blue day/night indicator is simply perfect.
The Movement
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar is powered by the JLC manufacture calibre 853, featuring a complete calendar with moon phases, a second time zone, and a day/night indication. This manual wound movement is composed of 223 parts, one barrel, and 19 jewels. The movement provides a power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.
On the Wrist & Price
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar is delivered with two Casa Fagliano leather straps, one light brown as photographed in this review, and the other one in grey matching the hue of the verso side dial. The watch wears true to its size and extremely well on most wrist sizes. The versatility of the Duoface is unparalleled as you are pretty much getting two watches in one with completely different looks. One of our favorite Reversos blending the signature design codes of the original model from 1931 and a more modern revamped look.
Sticker Price $26,900 USD. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.
