A wonderful read

May 13, 2013,22:07 PM
 

Many thanks to you for this effort, Andrew 


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Ensuring the future - learning from the past: Jaeger LeCoultre’s re-ascent and the Reverso

 
 By: 219 : May 12th, 2013-14:55
[From left to right: the team of watches that brought complications back to the Manufacture: the 60eme, the tourbillon, the minute repeater, the chronograph, the GMT, and the perpetual calendar]. With Jaeger LeCoultre celebrating 180 years since foundatio...  

This is a beautiful read. Thank you so much for taking the time...

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 12th, 2013-19:43
...to put the photographs, the facts and the anecdotes together. I admit to being pressed for time right now but will surely return to read this post again in details in a couple of days. Cheers to JLC! Ruckdee

Thank Ruckdee. Appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:26
Although I will confess I enjoyed writing it! Thanks Andrew H

Great article Andrew, wonderful reading and very....

 
 By: Sandgroper : May 12th, 2013-20:48
instructive...interesting how "La Vie en Rose" started:):) Thank you very much, it makes me even more appreciative of La Grande Maison. Cheers, Francois

Just when I thought I had lost it...

 
 By: Ophiuchus : May 12th, 2013-21:01
..you brought back my love for Jaeger. The Reverso has always been a favorite of mine, and some collegues had turned me off them due to the courseness of their finishing in items such as the coates de geneve compared to other brands. I had lost some respe... 

Thanks and glad I could re-ignite to the passion

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:30
for JLC. While we all like to see exemplary finish in terms of Cotes Geneve stripes, it is not the be all and end all. It certainly does not add directly to chronometric performance. I dont know on Sylvain Golay and the family name. I will say this: from ... 

Great piece Andrew - thanks

 
 By: Greg D : May 13th, 2013-00:08
Now must wind my Reverse Geographique...

Many thanks. nt.

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:31
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One of the best if not the best articles I've ever read…

 
 By: Miranda : May 13th, 2013-00:10
Thank you so much , it was a fantastic insight in the rebirth of JLC I had just started watch collecting when the 60ene was shown and I remember it well Thanks Imran

Great pictures of Reversos and great info

 
 By: docsnov : May 13th, 2013-00:22
It is a design that is timeless and will still be in style for years to come. Stewatt

Amazing read!

 
 By: cfn : May 13th, 2013-02:53
Hi Andrew, Thank you so much for sharing this story. The watches are highly impressive by themselves, but the story makes them even more so. Best, Claus

Ectasy for every true watch lover

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : May 13th, 2013-03:19
Just an amazing post...so much passion and love emerge from every paragraph. JLC is indeed the Grande Maison Thank you very much for this horological historical treat Cordially Damjan

My pleasure Damjan. Appreciate the kind words and that you

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:34
enjoyed reading the article. Andrew H

Brilliant article!

 
 By: walidk : May 13th, 2013-05:18
Sometimes the story of the people behind a piece is lost in the overarching story of the piece and the manufacture. The human element is clearly shown here to extend from pre production until it arrives on our wrists - for those of us lucky enough to enjo... 

Thanks. It is about the people and what struck me

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:39
about JLC was the long tenure of all at the Manufacture. There was a general love of what was accomplished and the freedom to let creativity thrive. Then as now. Andrew H

A manufacture is....

 
 By: Rhyzen : May 13th, 2013-06:27
.... Only as strong as its core of watchmakers. Things augurs well for JLC from what I read here. Kudos for the insightful write-up!

What a read.. What a post.. What a pleasure to devour ..

 
 By: hs111 : May 13th, 2013-08:19
Thank you so much for this 'piece of work'; - I read and re-read it already twice, but guess I'll still have several enjoyable iterations, before I may have ingested enough of this knowledgable and great document, Containing so much information and still ... 

Thanks. nt.

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:40

Thanks for making and sharing this information.

 
 By: Bobbe : May 13th, 2013-10:59
Loved to read your post. Brilliantly written post: what a passion, so much history etc etc. Great, well done !! Best regards, Bobbe

Wonderful and important article Andrew! This is

 
 By: timerider : May 13th, 2013-11:29
a must read for every JLC aficionado. Just delightful! Best to all, Tim

Thanks Tim. nt.

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:41
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Thanks for this superb article, Andrew and for reminding us some facts.

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2013-12:02
About the JLC History. As for the Reverso, it has indeed been said that Italians have been responsible for the renewed interest of the Reverso, and it is interesting to know who, PRECISELY, was involved in that. We can also add that in the early 80ies, JL...  

Thanks Nicolas. I should hire you as my press agent!

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:43
I appreciate all the kind words. Enjoyed working on the article, and sharing with the friends and enthusiasts here. Hope to see you soon. Andrew H

;) One photo is killing me... Stephane, Sylvain and Janek...

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2013-13:47
Having fun... That reminds me the ambiance during my trips at the Manufacture... Good memories. Which sums and says a lot! Best, Nicolas

My thanks for all the kind words on the forum. Harrods!

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-13:45
For those who are in London in the coming days/weeks, Harrods are holding an exhibition of the history of JLC. I recommend a look if you are in the area. Thanks for everyone. Andrew H

thank you so much for this

 
 By: donizetti : May 13th, 2013-13:53
circling this Reverso series(especially the repeater) for the longest time and this article is the best thing I have read and seen about it. Outstanding. Best, Andreas

Among the Best of PuristSPro!

 
 By: patrick_y : May 13th, 2013-14:08
Truly a fantastic epilogue of the rose gold Reverso series. Great report Andrew, with the invaluable insight of the creative watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre. They all look so young in that cycling photograph. Especially Eric Coudray. Great report Andrew! ... 

Thanks Patrick. It was a joy and honour on my part

 
 By: 219 : May 13th, 2013-14:18
to hear the stories and see the photos. Where does the time go?! Appreciate the kind words. Andrew H

Thanks a bunch Andrew

 
 By: nikolaj : May 13th, 2013-14:39
I have the immense pleasure of having the RG Chrono within reach on a daily basis and I love it. To read your post about its historical importance for the manufacture and seeing your pictures of the entire family only fortifies the feelings. I love the 80... 

Thank you

 
 By: ingmar : May 13th, 2013-15:45
This kind of organization and dedication makes me proud to own and wear JLC., especially the Reverso.

My pleasure! nt..

 
 By: 219 : May 16th, 2013-01:26
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A wonderful read

 
 By: long71 : May 13th, 2013-22:07
Many thanks to you for this effort, Andrew Conor

The story was supposed to continue...

 
 By: watchme : May 14th, 2013-07:16
in the 2000's with a series in platinum, but with the advent of XGT cases and the Antoine LeCoultre in platinum, it was never completed. The Reverso Platinum Number One (skeleton), in 2001, the Reverso Platinum Number Two (tourbillon w/power reserve) in 2... 

The Reversos 8 Days are great watches, but a tad slimmer would have been better.

 
 By: amanico : May 14th, 2013-07:47
Agreed on The fact that it is a pity that JLC didn't follow the platinum Reverso Saga... But many other exciting watches were born! Best, Nicolas

And you are correct: it was supposed to be continued...

 
 By: 219 : May 16th, 2013-01:31
in platinum and with the skeleton number 1, and I held out hope for a skeleton series, but somewhere along the line, the Manufacture shifted into other innovations, watch cases, and movements, and to great effect. Within a year or two of letting go of the... 

After reading this wonderful story,

 
 By: kingmatic : May 14th, 2013-19:38
I have an even greater appreciation for the brand, but mostly for the extraordinary JLC´s watchmakers Thank´s for sharing Kingmatic

Thank You Andrew

 
 By: dreamer8 : May 14th, 2013-20:10
Great reference post which I have bookmarked. Your article made me search for my JLC catalogues and to page through them. I found pictures of a more youthful and other team members. Cheers,dreamer

Honoured - thanks! We were all younger once!!! But I have

 
 By: 219 : May 16th, 2013-01:34
to say that for a retired gent, Mr. Golay looks and is very spritely! Must be that healthy mountain living.... Andrew H

Very nice work Andrew

 
 By: Mark in Paris : May 15th, 2013-05:57
I had great pleasure in reading (and learning) thanks a lot! Cheers, Mark

Thanks Mark. nt.

 
 By: 219 : May 16th, 2013-01:34
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terrific read Andrew....

 
 By: moc : May 15th, 2013-14:23
What a great report... Thanks Mo

I used to

 
 By: sybelite : May 19th, 2013-07:44
Own the minute repeater reverso, I miss all the reverso I've had that I've sold, especially the white gold Art Deco.

Great retrospective, Andrew, thanks! Brings back quite a few memories...

 
 By: ThomasM : June 27th, 2013-17:30
of my own... Always nice to remember the past as we charge headlong into the future. Cheers, my friend. TM

Oldie but a Goodie

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : February 22nd, 2015-12:23
I chanced upon this article while in the search for something else. I wasn't around to read this article when it was first published but I can say articles like this are exactly why the PuristPro forum and it's community of members and moderators is the v...