Jaeger-LeCoultre

respo
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Thanks, Blomman

I really appreicate your posting your thoughts and photos of this much neglected JLC from the not so distant past.  Your comments are very insightful, and I think it is a great addition to have this photo essay for the on-line record here. 

Within the Gran Sport line, I have only seriously thought about the Gran' Sport Chronograph model for myself.  There is one available for a long time now in a watch store not far from me and I have tried it on a couple of times.  It would be the poor man's version of the Reverso Chronographe a Retrograde from the 1990's anniversary collection in RG of which Nicolaj has a beautiful example in his collection. While a very nice piece, with a brilliant and I think very underrated movement inside, the Gran Sport Chrono lost something when JLC created this sporty version of the retrograde chronograph in Reverso format.  The original chrono from the anniversary set is much dressier, more elegant and more refined for several obvious reasons. I could accept the smaller size in such an elegant watch, whereas, I agree with you that the Gran Sport  Reversos are a tad small by today's standards especially for a sports watch and for someone with large wrists.  And yet, in the absence of one of the anniversary retrograde chronographs, I have sometimes wondered if the Gran Sport Chronograph, by offering that virtually identical (to the cal. 829) movement at a much smaller cost, might serve as an acceptable substitute...

Still, these Gran Sports are an interesting chapter in the JLC history.  I think they preceded and led up to the real achievement JLC has had with its Master Compressor series and the Squadras. Notwithstanding the polo heritage of the Reverso, JLC has really come into its own during the past decade in terms of becoming a great sports watch manufacturer.

Thanks again for sharing your Gran Sport Duo with us.

Best,

respo