In many ways, the history of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is an allegory to the history of timepiece design itself. As many of you may know, this holy-grail piece of polo/watchmaking history was birthed in 1931—an era that proved instrumental for purpose-driven watches that stood the test of time, such as the OG Rolex Oyster Perpetual, key aviation models by Longines and a bevy of Audemars Piguet chronographs, to name but a few. The Reverso grew in popularity through the following decades, but with changing tastes in the 1970s, for round watches as well as quartz movements, Jaeger-LeCoultre ceased production of the Reverso. The model lay dormant for twenty years, until its triumphant quartz-friendly re-issue in 1982, which a decade later, was followed by the '91 Grande Taille, which is a beefed up variant of the Reverso that went bigger on case size, reflecting the trends of the 90s and 00s. (Hell, it was even featured on the wrist of Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne).
And so, a whole three decades on, we find ourselves in front of the latest Reverso launch—one that reflects watchmaking's big return to the classics, both in terms of design principles and case sizes. The project for the Tribute series—a line of Reversos in tune with the original model's compact, functional and surprisingly gender-neutral qualities—kicked off in 2016, for the model's 85th birthday. Each of these models aims to replicate the original's dimensions as closely as possible, along with key markers such as clean-lined elegance, with trapezoidal indexes, a chemin de fer minutes track, Dauphine hands on the dials and some hand-bevelled artistry within. Here's a closer look at this week's renditions:
Reverso Tribute Monoface
The Reverso Tribute Monoface for 2024 brings a modern refresh to the design that defined Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1931, closely replicating the original’s dimensions with its 40.1 x 24.4 mm stainless steel case and slim 7.56 mm profile. The result is a watch that strikes a careful balance between vintage charm and contemporary wearability, offering a refined size that suits both men and women. The case maintains the Reverso’s iconic swivelling mechanism but now boasts durability and water resistance (30m) that the 1930s model could only dream of.
This Monoface model is all about simplicity, with a clean dial available in silver opaline or sunray blue lacquer (pictured above), with the blank case back leaving room for customisation, a classic touch from early-era Reversos that owners can use to make each timepiece truly theirs. Inside, it’s powered by the familiar hand-wound Calibre 822, offering a solid 42-hour power reserve—reliable, if a bit conservative for today’s standards. Completing the look is a calfskin strap by Casa Fagliano, whose two-texture options add subtle sophistication. With an asking price of $8,900 (INR 7,44,538) the Reverso Tribute Monoface stays true to its roots while quietly addressing modern expectations.
Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon (Stainless Steel)
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in stainless steel brings a modern, sleeker option to the table, following its pink gold predecessor from 2023. This version feels more accessible without sacrificing the mechanical artistry that defines the Duoface Tourbillon. As with the original Duoface concept from 1994, the watch features two distinct dials displaying different time zones, but the standout innovation here is the 60-second flying tourbillon visible from both sides—an impressive feat given the watch’s slim profile at just 9.15 mm.
One of the most striking elements is how Jaeger-LeCoultre has kept the thickness of the movement—Calibre 847—at just 3.9 mm. To achieve this, they redesigned the tourbillon, removing the traditional upper bridge and opting for a peripheral ball-bearing system. The result? A refined timepiece that merges the technical prowess of a tourbillon with the duality of two time zones, without feeling overly complex or bulky.
The front dial is a cool, sunray grey with the tourbillon at 6 o'clock, while the reverse is far more intricate, showcasing an open-worked dial with hand-bevelled bridges and Clous de Paris guilloche, straight from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares atelier. For those willing to invest, it’s priced at $110,000 (INR 92,09,040)—a (slightly) more approachable figure compared to previous precious metal iterations.
Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds (Pink Gold)
The Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds in pink gold brings a refined blend of elegance and practicality. Its 18k pink gold case pairs beautifully with the inky-blue lacquered front dial, a deep shade achieved through 20 meticulous layers of lacquer. The striking contrast between the blue and the warmth of the gold is a standout feature.
The reverse side presents a silver sunray dial with a second time zone and a 24-hour day-night indicator. Powered by the manually wound Calibre 854, the watch displays hours, minutes, and small seconds on the front, while the reverse keeps track of your travel schedule. The second time zone is adjusted via a hidden slider on the case band, maintaining the watch's sleek profile. Priced at $25,500 (INR 18,82,260), the pink gold Duoface balances classic Reverso design with a modern, dual-time functionality.
Two of these stunning retro-revivals have already made it to JLC's Mumbai boutique, with two more slated to arrive soon, and the tourbillon model available on firm request.
