Newsflash: Jaeger Lecoultre Tribute Minute Repeater. A new Reverso, a new Minute Repeater.

Sep 21, 2021,16:46 PM
 


A new Reverso and a new Minute Repeater? 

Certainly not, for two reasons:

We cannot forget that in 1994, Jaeger Lecoultre issued, for the first time, a minute repeater in a Reverso, which was quite challenging, at that time, because a minute repeater needs some space to fully expresses its melody.  And that was a bit the problem of this Reverso, as it was not the best sounding one. 

The other Reverso which is worth being mentioned is the Reverso Minute Repeater à Rideau, unveiled in 2011. Here, the sound was much better, in quality and in " volume ", due to its way bigger case ( 55x35mm, and 12mm high ) and also because of the Trebuchet Hammers. 



The Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater is closer to the Reverso from 2011. Indeed, it has the same movement, the Cal 944, which is manual winding, beating at the pace of 21, 600 vibrations per hour, offering a power reserve of 35 hours, and the Trebuchet hammers. To be complete, the Cal 944 is a Cal 849 with a modular minute repeater. So, " mechanically " speaking, it is the same. 

Recto: 


Verso: 


Cosmetically, it is different, even though you find the same way to display the time ( on the recto AND on the verso ). And here, no curtain used as a trigger to activate the minute repeater.

The big difference between the " A Rideau " and the Tribute lies in the case proportions, as it is much smaller and thinner: Indeed the case is now 51, 1 x 31 mm big, and 11, 41 mm high! And it is a huge difference, as now, this watch is much more wearable than the 2011 edition: 


Then, you have two different dials, one skeletonized on the recto, one plain, more sober and elegant on the verso. 

Recto: 



Verso:








Here I would have hard time deciding which " face " I prefer... The verso is more my taste, more refined, for me, but the recto lets you see the hammers in action, which is magic. 






Now the big question, the most important, in my eyes or should I say in my ears: How does it sound? 

When I had the opportunity to listen to the " A Rideau ", I was a bit disappointed. The sound was harsh, high in volume, but not that rich. I ave to say that it was a prototype. I could compare with the definitive watch, and it was much better tuned.

Here,  the Tribute Minute Repeater seems to sound high in volume, but in a richer way... To be confirmed in the reality, which I will do as soon as possible, but, in the meantime, here is a link to allow you to hear it: 

content.presspage.com 

Two more details, to be complete: It is water resistant to 30 meters, which is good enough for this kind of watches. And the last thing is that it is limited to 10 pieces, which is something I don't understand. 50 pieces would have been much more interesting. 

Don't ask me about the retail, I don't know it, at the moment  I type these lines. 

What do you think? 

Best,

Nicolas


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Comments: view entire thread

 

Quite attractive. Only 10 pieces?

 
 By: MichaelC : September 21st, 2021-16:55
Extremely low production on that one!

They said 250000 euros.

 
 By: proestak : September 21st, 2021-17:42

I Think It's Time...

 
 By: elliot55 : September 21st, 2021-16:58
... For major manufacturers, like JLC, to make chiming watches in stainless steel - which is obviously the best metal for a repeater. I know, I know, they have to justify the high price by using some kind of gold, etc., but the think tank ought to know by... 

They made it in titanium... ;)

 
 By: amanico : September 21st, 2021-17:00

Ooops, here is the photo.

 
 By: amanico : September 21st, 2021-17:01
...  

Yes, The Master Minute Repeater...

 
 By: elliot55 : September 21st, 2021-17:04
... in Titanium is a fantastic piece. A grail, in fact. But it's not a Reverso chimer in stainless steel.

Besides...

 
 By: elliot55 : September 21st, 2021-22:47
... If JLC ever makes a reverso in titanium, that would also be very special. They could go bigger but not Squadra big.

That would be excellent, too.

 
 By: amanico : September 22nd, 2021-05:36

And that's a darn good sounding minute repeater in titanium!

 
 By: patrick_y : September 22nd, 2021-04:12
FP Journe made minute repeaters in steel cases, so it seems like a good idea!

This is a very impressive watch.

 
 By: jlux : September 21st, 2021-17:39
Both from a technical and design perspective ! The "open dial" structure works surprisingly well with the classical Reverso style.

There is a lot to like, but I think it would be even better if the two dials were more differentiated. JLC is skilled in so many styles, I guess they made this decision very deliberately.

 
 By: LK : September 21st, 2021-18:05
I wonder if we will see the relative slimness extend to new versions of certain other reversos, where the size was challenging the traditional elegance of the reverso design.

+1.

 
 By: amanico : September 21st, 2021-20:48

A absolute gorgeous Reverso

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : September 21st, 2021-20:47
Thanks for this post and info my friend

Amazing watch indeed ! The Tribute is definitely one of my favourites even if I have never seen it in flesh yet.

 
 By: montres1 : September 22nd, 2021-09:34
Listening to the video, I am actually surprised by the "quarter" sound, were the first "bing" sounds graver than the second one (something like "bong-bing"), while we (at least I !) are more used to a quarter sounding like "bing-bong"... I assume, it is t... 

I am with you!

 
 By: amanico : September 22nd, 2021-23:11

I knew you would be 😉😁

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 23rd, 2021-19:38

;)

 
 By: amanico : September 23rd, 2021-21:22

awesome! love this and the work they put into these movements........

 
 By: DouglasM : September 23rd, 2021-04:38
The only negative I'll say, and it has nothing to do with this watch: if they put so much time into designing shaped movements of very high horological value, why can't they simply design a larger replacement for the 899 and stop using that tiny movement ...