Jaeger-LeCoultre

 

I still don't get how this watch has such a small success.

 

Released in the early 2000's, ( unveiled for the first time in the 2000 / 2001 catalog ) after the Rose Gold version which was born in... 1996, this Reverso came with two dials, one white, one black.

 

The sublime Rose Gold Reverso Chronograph from 1996:

 

 

 

The white version: ( Pictures found on the net, I don't know who to credit for )

 

 

I remember very well when it was released and when I saw it for the very first time.

 

At that time, I found it a bit too small and thick, I didn't like ( and I still don't, by the way ) the too mannered bracelet, and I found the retail a bit too " steep ".

 

Were these the reasons which lead people to not appreciate at its just value?

 

I don't know, but I have to say that this feeling was mine, and that it changed with time passing.

 

The Reverso Chronograph and the Gran Sport Chronograph are true challenges, and should deserve much more appreciation for that reason:

 

- This is a rectangular column wheel chronograph movement.

 

How many do we have, in the market? Except the GP Vintage 45, I don't see others which come to my mind, immediately.

 

- It is a manual integrated movement, and as far as I know, it is unique, withut forgetting that it required a lot of time and efforts to develop it ( 3 years ).

 

- It is a retrograde 30 minutes chronograph, to add some sophistication to the complexity of the creation.

 

- Its 317 parts have to be housed in a small case.

 

- It has to provide enough power reserve, to properly feed the retrograde.

 In its case, it offers an autonomy of 44 hours, which is better than some milestones such as the Datograph, for example ( 36 hours, in the case of the Datograph " first generation ". )

 

- And let's not forget that it is a Reverso, a watch with one dial on each side, each dial being " animated " by the same movement, a magic and unique display of time.

 

 

Some illustrations of this movement. Illustrations I found in the 2000 / 2001 Catalog:

 

The Cal 859:

 

 

 

 

" In the start position... These levers, gear-trains and heart-pieces handle the chronograph functions. Somewhat ressembling a crenellated tower, the column wheel corrdinates and synchronises all the levers movement. "

 

 

 

 

" In the stop position. The start / stop indicator on the front provides information on the state of the chronograph ".

 

 

 

 

We'll focus on the black Reverso Gan Sport Chrono, but I must say that I could never choose between the black and the white, as they both have an equal charm, and I will try to tell you why my feelings changed on this watch.

 

1/ The concept:

 

I must say that I totally adore the idea of having 2 dials, one for the time only, the other dedicated to the chronograph.

 

Original, unique, and, therefore, you can choose your face!

 

2/ The Aesthetics.

 

The Gran Sport Chronograph manages to preserve an ultra clean look for such a complication.

 

Usually, you have a mix of subdials ( two or three, rarely one ) which are more or less well integrated.

 

Here, you won't have this kind of problem, due to the natural duality of the Reverso.

 

Therefore, the 2 dials are somptuous.

 

The Recto face tells the main informations, the time, and helps you to see if the chrono is working with this indicator at 5 o'clock, since you have to flip the case to see the chrono dial.

 

An interesting detail: This is one of the few Chronograph which has a big second hand, while most of them use a small second subdial for the non chrono second hand.

 

 

 

The verso dial shows an unusual face, with its big round 60 seconds subdial, and the half circle shaped 30 minutes retrograde counter.

 

 

Both dials have a nice guilloché,  but with different shapes.

 

Even the date, which is not, by far, my favourite feature, is well integrating and not too disturbing.

 

Another interesting detail is that the first Gran Sport Chronographs came with a T Swiss Made T recto dial ( when the verso dial is always Swiss Made ), revealing the use of tritium for the luminous indexes and hands, AND giving a nice touch of warmth to the dial, due to the patina. A detail that will be appreciated by the Vintage Lovers.

 

3/ The movement.

 

Not much to add, there, as I already spoke about it, above. But this is indeed one of the important part of this watch. Unique, original, desirable.

 

4/ The strap / bracelet.

 

Both are very comfortable, undisputably.

 

It will be a matter of taste, here, when the time comes to choose between the rubber strap and the stainless steel ( or gold, if you go for the Gran Sport Chrono in gold ) bracelet.

 

As I said, the bracelet is not the one I prefer, but to be honest, I generally don't like bracelets, so my opinion is biased on that matter.

 

Let's say that the bracelet, with time passing, disturbs me less than when I discovered the watch, some 12 years ago.

 

I feel the Rubber strap is more appropriate to the purpose of the Gran Sport Chrono. And it is  like a second skin!

 

One detail which contributes a lot to the comfort, the clasp. Technical , it is composed of 52 part ( ! )

 

It will allow you to adjust the size of the bracelet or strap to 3, 9 mm on each side. Very useful, as the size of your wrist, depending of the moment of the day or the season, is not always the same.

 

 

 

5/ The case.

 

Slightly bigger and larger than a Reverso GT, it is also much thicker.

 

Those proportions were THE detail which annoyed me the most, when I discovered the watch. ( 43 mm big / 28 mm large, and 11, 5 mm high ).

 

First of all, I think that a sporty watch may be better a tad bigger. JLC showed that a bigger Reverso can also be very nice. 1 extra mm would not have been too much in lenght.

 

Then the thickness is important for such a watch, which looks a bit chunky.

 

But, with time passing, I got used to these proportions, and I feel I can live with that.

 

The sides of the case are curved, which gives some sensuality to the watch, as well as its base, for some extra comfort.

 

Once on the wrist, you are happy with its presence and comfort, and its modest size is not really a problem.

And, for once, I will also mention the yellow gold version. You know I am not a fan of colored gold watches, but, in this case, associated to the rubber strap, I find this version uber cool.

Here are the pictures to be credited to Matt Bain:

 

 

Conclusion...

 

The Gran Sport Chrono had a short 6 years life, as well as very little interest, at the moment of its production.

 

I hope I convinced you that it is not fair.

 

The Chronograph lovers will understand its originality, its merits, and will agree on the fact that it is unique.

 

I can seriously say that the sum of its horological qualities makes it belong to the category of fine or prestigious chronographs.

 

Which seemed to be expensive at the moment of its launch is now considered as affordable, not to say... Cheap.

 

A misunderstood watch, a real big deal.

 

For connoisseurs only.

 

Best,

 

Nicolas

More posts: Gran SportReverso Gran SportReverso GT

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