The new Reverso watches that Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced this year – following last year’s unorthodox, colourful Christian Louboutin collaboration as part of the 85th Reverso anniversary – are wholly classical pieces that confirm the incredible resilience of the design. Reverso is without doubt considered as the classic watch with unorthodox case design, successful above all in Europe, and growing in the USA and on the Asian market (where watches with round cases are generally preferred). Reverso watches represent about 50% of all Jaeger-LeCoultre watches sold worldwide, for about 30% of total revenue generated. An entry-level price of below €5,000 for a manually-wound Reverso in a small case makes it accessible to a large section of the market. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s exceptional quality/price ratio is made possible by two factors: everything is made in-house except for watchglasses and straps, and over the last few years the brand has reduced price a little for increased accessibility.
The Reverso Tribute Duo, reference Q3902420, has a case in pink gold, set in the classic cradle that enables it to be turned over revealing the second face. The front face has silvered finish, and the reverse shows local time on an anthracite-grey dial with differentiated finish, Clou de Paris guilloché at the edge, and opaline at the centre. Home time is shown on the circular dial, and also on a 24-hour dial below that enables you to see whether it’s 4 in the morning or afternoon back at home.
Hand-wound movement
Both displays are powered by the same movement, the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854A, which runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve. Just the fact that the movement runs two separate time indications, one with small seconds and the other with a second 24-hour display, indicates the minimal friction of the movement. The crown adjusts the time on both displays simultaneously. The home time can be rapidly changed for a different time zone by means of a slider on the top edge of the mobile case, with each push of the slider changing home time hours, without affecting the minute hands. The slider can be seen in the photo below of the stainless steel version of this watch.
The case is 42.9 x 25.5 mm in size, 9.2 mm thick, with the standard 3 atm water resistance. Hour markers are gilt hand-applied. The black alligator strap has a folding clasp in pink gold. All Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are tested in-house for the 1,000 hours control, that checks regularity of rate, operation at different temperatures and atmospheric pressures, and resistance to shocks, magnetic fields, and water.
Price and reference
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duo is reference Q3902420 and costs €20,300 inclusive of VAT. A similar model in stainless steel, reference 3908420, is available at the price of €11,600. More information from the Jaeger-LeCoultre website.
