JLC Rectangular vs. Round Watches: Collector Preferences

amanico · 2008-11-19T00:12:39Z

Explore Jaeger-LeCoultre's design evolution: rectangular Reverso vs. iconic round watches. Collectors discuss preferences, historical context, and JLC's diverse offerings.

amanico

WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum

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amanico's post delves into Jaeger-LeCoultre's rich history, exploring the brand's enduring design philosophy through its iconic rectangular and round watches. This discussion invites collectors to reflect on JLC's evolution, from its early diverse offerings to the Reverso's dominance and the subsequent re-emergence of compelling round designs. It highlights how JLC has consistently balanced tradition with innovation across its 175-year legacy.

In its 175 years of History and Life, JLC offered quite a lot of Rectangular and Round Watches...

Among the Rectangular watches, we had the Uniplan ( which were also round watches ), the Duo Plan, and, of course, the most famous..Reverso.

But, at the same time, JLC offered several very interesting and great round watches, as the Pilot Watches, the Future Matic, the Triple Date, the Memovoxes, without forgetting the Gephysic, and Geomatic...

An ad from 1937 ( Credit to Marv ):

2 ads from 1934 ( Same Credit pic ):

Both Rectangular and Round Cases were pure marvels...

Credit pic: Dino, for this Triple Date Box and Papers...

So, during around 50 years, JLC offered a wide variety of watches, rectangular or round, complicated, or simple, sometimes original, always elegant...

Well, Watches for al tastes, but great tastes!

In the mid 70ies, JLC suffered with the Quartz era, and for the next 15 years, nothing very interesting to see till the Grand Reveil, this weird Perpetual Calendar, in 1989.

A few years before the Grand Reveil, JLC relaunched the Reverso...

Then, in the 90ies, till 2002, it was a bit the reign of the Reverso...

Do you remember thses gorgeous RG Reverso in LE, offering all the possible complications, and beginning with an Ode to the Reverso ( the 60eme ) ?

Looks like all the Creativity, the efforts were concentraded on the Reverso, at this moment, and that Round Watches, even if they existed, were a bit secondary for JLC...

Of course there were some nice round watches, as the Master Control, RDM, Geographic, and Memovox, but really, the Reverso was the King!

In the Early 2000, it was a bit the same...

JLC wanted to develop the Reverso in the platinum case with some great watches as the 70eme, the Reverso Platinum Nr 1, Nr 2, and the Extraordinary Skeleton Tourbillon.

Although beautiful watches, these Platinum Reversos weren't successful, and JLC began to re equilibrate a bit the offer, with some interesting round watches...

The Master Compressor watches, since 2002, with the Memovox in 2002: ( Credit pic: Al )

The EWC and Amvoxes I, II and III, since 2005:

The Reverso wasn' forgotten by JLC, as the Squadra is the Rectangular Sporty offer...

Are you a Classic Guy?

Once again, Round or Rectangular?

Crazy About High End complications???

Once again, Rectangular or Round?

Equation of time, Perpetual Calendar, View of the sky, Tourbillon...Wow!

And this Gyro II?

The offer in round watches is also very appealing...

Minute Repeater...

Perpetual Calendar:

With Gyro Tourbillon:

Without Gyro Tourbillon, but skeleton:

Elusive Chrono?

So, my friends, are you more in love with Rectangular or Round watches???

Waiting for your answers,

Best.

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-11-19 00:13:27 This message has been edited by amanico on 2008-11-22 02:34:28

Key Points from the Discussion

The preference for movements matching case shapes (round movement in round watches, rectangular in rectangular watches) is a significant factor for some collectors, influencing their choice even when similar models are offered in different case forms.
The Reverso is widely considered JLC's signature case shape and its most iconic rectangular watch, embodying the 'Grande Maison' identity.
Personal wrist comfort and aesthetic appeal play a crucial role in watch preference, with some collectors finding large round watches more appealing than rectangular models, even if the latter are technically excellent.
The Reverso, particularly skeletonized versions, is admired for its aesthetic appeal, but some collectors prioritize robust steel sports watches for daily wear and specific activities.
Collectors often find themselves in a 'cruel dilemma' when new JLC releases, such as the Gyro Tourbillon II, enter their 'dream watch' category, forcing considerations of selling existing collection pieces to fund new acquisitions.
The choice between rectangular and round JLC watches often comes down to intended use, with rectangular models favored for dressier occasions and round ones for sport or casual wear.

The Discussion

Starman

Nov 19, 2008

For me it's all about form follows function. All inside the watch goes round, and so should the case. There is somehow no real need for a square case, so it's more like a fashion thing. Current round watches are the evolution of many many decades; I like that. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Reverso, but prefer the round shapes. Oh yeah, and I'm probably old fashioned LOL. Best, Starman

MartyW

Nov 19, 2008

The majority of my watches are round, I guess that says it all. They just fits me better. Incidentally all my rectangular watches are all dress watch.

FanFrancisco

Nov 19, 2008

rectangular shape is the signature (i.e. reverso) for JLC, but round shape can match with different dresses and ocassions. cheers. stefan

Casey

Nov 19, 2008

Once upon a time, I had a beautiful Reverso Grande Date on a bracelet. It was a fine time piece in every respect, I just could not get use to it on my wrist. When I would look at my wrist, the Reverso did not "sing to me." My personal preference is round watches that are 40mm to 46mm (my EWC). Anyway, when I would pull a watch from my winder in the morning, the Reverso never was calling me.

Ares501 - Mr Green

Nov 19, 2008

in my opinion without any doubt this is signature case shape of Grande Maison and yes the Reverso is most iconic of all the rectangular watches the strongest association to JLC Best

fernando

Nov 19, 2008

And quite a few from your own personal collection! I'm beginning to like the Perpetual squelette more and more and the MMR - always one of my favorites.When will the Gyro II be included in your stable? So what was the question?? LOL Cheers Fernando

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