AndrewD[HoMe Moderator]
12829
Memories : The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory
Sep 22, 2013,00:50 AM
It is special when a watch becomes part of you; an expression of who you are. My wife has been wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory (Reference 255.08.82) for many years. It is not mollycoddled, but worn as it was meant to be.
The Reverso Memory was made between 1998 and 2002. On the front face is a simple three-hand watch with nice guilloche detail. On the reverse is a flyback continuous 60-minute counter. It is housed in the mid-sized Classic case (38.7x23.05mm). The rectangular push-piece below the crown is to reset the flyback minute counter to zero.
Inside is the manual wind Cal. 862 which has a 50 hour power reserve and a hacking second display and beats at 21,600vph (3Hz).
The front face is silvered with a seconds display at the 6 o’clock position. All three hands are blued and inlaid with luminous paint. The reverse dial is black with a sun burst guilloche pattern and a white hand, also with luminous inlay.
The watch is standing up to day-to-day wear very well. The swirls and scratches are quite homogeneous and therefore not noticeable. I wish I was brave enough to wear my watches like this; they become more than objects of beauty, but of function. The bracelet on the Memory is a particularly attractive feature and the watch looks wonderful on the wrist. It is part of her now and I could hardly imagine her without it.
I do worry that I don’t wear a single watch all the time that my children absolutely relate to me. I have memories like this of my grandfather and father and it would be nice if they had the same of me. The saving grace is that I talk to my children about the different watches in my collection and what they man to me. And of course they have the ‘archive’ here on PuristSPro if they ever want to read back one day and work it out for themselves.
It is perhaps a pity that we do not have a daughter to pass the JLC Reverso Memory on to. Perhaps a granddaughter one day.
Andrew
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Memories : The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory
By: AndrewD : September 22nd, 2013-00:50
It is special when a watch becomes part of you; an expression of who you are. My wife has been wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory (Reference 255.08.82) for many years. It is not mollycoddled, but worn as it was meant to be. The Reverso Memory was m...
An interesting Reverso, fallen in the forgotten world.
By: amanico : September 22nd, 2013-02:37
It didn't have the success it deserved, indeed. An original movement and complication, in a timeless Watch and design. Thanks for resuscitating it! One thought, though: It can also be worn by a man! Best, Nicolas
'Man size'
By: AndrewD : September 22nd, 2013-15:32
Yes of course, the classic case is/was a mans watch. But given the modern propensity for larger case sizes, the classic range looks great on a ladies wrist. She tried on the more traditional ladies Reverso's but the proportions on the wrist were no where ...
Our wives watches...
By: stromer : September 22nd, 2013-08:01
... are a very special topic of its own. Isn't it a wonderful thing if she understands your feelings about your watches? It seems to me this can be enhanced a lot if she has her special piece of her own. I will come back to this later. I did not know abou...
The scans are much appreciated.
By: AndrewD : September 22nd, 2013-15:27
Thanks for the scans, Martin, I had not seen those before. She understands the attraction of a fine watch, just not why I should want more than one. ;-) The Memory was love at first sight for her. But it was the main dial with the prominent subseconds, th...
Great post, Andrew!
By: blomman Mr Blue : September 23rd, 2013-12:17
You put a light on something I have been thinking of many times... I don't have any children of my own, but my God-son will one day of course receive a watch from me. That watch I hope he will always associate with me... The question is which one? And how...
That is a challenge
By: AndrewD : September 24th, 2013-15:32
There is one watch that my youngest son has shown an interest in. It was made in the same year as he was and I talk about it to him as though he will inherit it one day. Planting the seed. Andrew
Memories : The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory
By: MightyPir : September 24th, 2013-05:27
Andrew: Lovely watch, beautifully photographed!!! A fine heirloom to pass on to you children (or grandchildren). I have a 1950s Omega pie pan that my grandfather left me and it is one of my most treasured possessions despite my other more expensive watche...
This is a common story ...
By: AndrewD : September 24th, 2013-15:36
... amongst PuristS. A treasured watch handed down from a parent or grandparent. We would love to see photos of your Pie pan omega. Congratulations! Andrew
brilliant photos
By: jml_watches : September 24th, 2013-14:28
Hi really good photos of the Reverso Memory - see to recall when I was on the hunt for my Reverso I tried one of the on. Thought I'd add to the scans - its the same one as has already been posted - but with the explanation in English. Unfortunately I'm no...
Thanks for the catalogue scans ...
By: AndrewD : September 24th, 2013-15:40
Thanks for the catalogue scans, Jonathan. A little history around a watch adds to the pleasure of ownership. Interesting choice of ostrich leather strap. That has gone out of vogue, at least as an OEM item. I have got so used to seeing the Reverso Memory ...
