JLC - An interesting journey into the Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso and the Complications.

An interesting journey into the Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso and the Complications.

May 28, 2021,06:48 AM

Jaeger Lecoultre just sent me some pictures of the Reverso since 1991 and the Reverso Soixantième to 2008 and the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2. An opportunity to revisit the Reverso which housed some of the most thrilling complications, and a pleasure to see some good pictures of these marvels.

The historical patents:

The Reverso Soixantième is a very important watch, as it reintroduces the Reverso in the catalog, in a brilliant way, as it is the first of the " GT Saga " and the first to house complications. We should not forget that the GT case had some proportions which are, still nowadays, considered by many of us as ideal.

Here, we have the date and a power reserve. But it is also the first to have a 14 Kt gold pink gold movement, too.

In 1993, came another marvel, the Reverso Tourbillon. I don't remember any other Tourbillon in a rectangular watch, at that time. Most probably a first. And, like for the Soixantième and each member of this Saga, the movement is in 14 Kt Pink Gold. Most probably one of the most exquisite Reverso ever made.

In 1994, another marvel revisiting another prestigious and traditional complication, the Reverso Minute Repeater. Here again, behind the sober, refined and wise appearance, you have a true horological challenge: Housing a minute repeater in such a small and thin case in not given to everybody, indeed. Jaeger Lecoultre did it! To be honest, it is not the best sounding Minute Repeater I had the pleasure to listen to, but it has the merit to exist, and to launch the saga of modern Minute Repeaters from the Grande Maison.

In 1996, we had the pleasure to witness the birth of another masterpiece,, the Reverso Chronograph, which is typically Jaeger Lecoultre: Not only this chronograph is sublime, but it is also, and mainly, technically challenging.

Indeed, it is not a simple manual winding chronograph, it is unique, at is, ALSO, a retrograde one. And it is gorgeous!

In 1998, we had the Reverso Geographique. Another rectangular movement, but here, it plays the card of the charm AND it houses THE most friendly complication. The elegant tool for travelers.

In 2000, to celebrate the millenium, Jaeger Lecoultre gave birth to the Reverso Perpetual Calendar. A very complete one, with the day, the date, the month, but also the elapsed years, the moon phase and the day night complication which is here very useful, as it informs you that you don't have to set your calendar during the " danger zone " from 10 PM to 3 AM. And while most of the perpetual calendars are busy, this one has the good taste to give you the time ( the elapsed years and the day night ) on the recto, to reserve the main informations of the perpetual calendar on the verso. Brilliant.

In 2001, we had the start of another saga, still in the GT case, but here in platinum. A short saga, as we had only a few watches, such as the Reverso Platinum Number One, which is a skeleton:

In 2003, the sublimissime Reverso Platinum Number Two Tourbillon which I had the pleasure to own, and which is one of my favorite, with its 18 Kt White Gold movement.

And we can add two others which were not mentioned by Jaeger Lecoultre in their topic, the romantic Reverso Sun Moon, in platinum, too, which was limited to 125 pieces, if my memory serves me well, in the early 2000's:

And, in 2004, the refined Reverso Platinum Tourbillon Skeleton.

The Reverso Platinum Tourbillon Skeleton marked the end of the GT cases.

But, two years before, in 2002, Jaeger Lecoultre launched a new case, with new complications, for the Reverso. The Reverso Septantième was born!

XGT platinum case, 18 Kt white gold movement, a power reserve of 8 days, a Grande Date, a superb ruthenium dial, these are the main characteristics of this watch.

In 2006, proving that nothing can stop Jaeger Lecoultre, the Grande Maison issued the most complicated Reverso ever made ( even more complications than the new " Quadriptyque "? ) with 18 complications, the Reverso Grande Complication à Triptyque, the first Reverso to show three ( yes, you read well, three ) dials. Impressive technically, for sure, romantic, with its sidereal card, but alas, unwearable because of its very big and thick case.

In 2008, Jaeger Lecoultre invented the rectangular Gyrotourbillon, with the Reverso Gyrotourbillon II. A milestone in terms of finishings, magic with its tourbillon dancing on several axis, this watch is, alas hard to wear, and would require a very big wrist to adorn it.

In this dream list of superlative Reversos, we should not forget three extraordinary members:

- In 2012, Jaeger Lecoultre unveiled the second Reverso Minute Repeater, but in a bigger case, using Trebuchet hammers for a louder sound, and a curtain!

In 2016, the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon, which is the thinnest Gyrotourbilllon made to this day, with only 12, 4 mm.

And, this year, the most spectacular Reverso eve made, the Reverso Quadriptyque, with its 4 different dials!

And I am sure it is not the end!

Best,

Nicolas

More posts: Jaeger LeCoultreReverso Grande

Comments: view entire thread

Amazing - and very impressive! Thank's for posting!

By: lm6 : May 28th, 2021-07:39

There's no arguing that Jaeger-LeCoultre are among the best manufactures (and have some of the best watchmakers). And they succed in making the watches visually attractive as well.....