Jaeger-LeCoultre

I couldn't resist to the pleasure to share with you some pictures of 2 of the most beautiful Reversos:

- The Perpetual Calendar, which was the last of the Rose Gold Limited Editon Reverso Saga, released in year 2 000.

- The Géographique, released just before the Perpetual Calendar, in year 1998.

While these complications were also used on round watches ( Master Perpetual Calendar and Master Géographique ), and even if these 2 Master were ( and still are ) very appealing watches, these 2 Reversos were a step above, in terms of finish and aesthetics.

They both share a GT case ( 42, 25 x 26 mm ), the number of pieces made ( 500 ), and a precious appeal, not to say a fatal attraction.

Now that you're warned, let's face the ravaging aesthetical shock:

1/ The RG Perpetual Calendar:

One of the most legible and elegant Perpetual Calendar I know.

The dial are perfectly balanced, complete, and well finished.

The Perpetual Calendar is not only nice, it is also complete, as you have:

- The Day,

- The Date,

- The Month,

- The Moonphase,

The Leap year.

For those who would think that the Day Night indicator is too much on a perpetual calendar, they have to keep in mind that on such a complication, there is a " danger zone ", between 9 PM and 3 PM.

If you set the date at this moment, you may ruin the movement.

So to avoid it, JLC included this Day Night indication, to be sure that you set the date at the right moment.









The Cal 855 offers another refinement...:

It also offers a retrograde ( ! ) date.



If you think about it, the Reverso is an ideal watch for a perpetual calendar.

Its 2 faces allows you to not ...perpetually see the perpetual calendar, so that you can enjoy it only when you want, by choosing the verso side.

Dedicating the perpetual calendar to the verso dial is also a way to insure a perfect legibility.

The symmetry and the balance are great, even ..harmonious, and the finish oustanding.

You will certainly appreciate the different guillochés on this dial, and the care in the realization of this watch.





2/ The RG Géographique:



Among the 6 special RG Reversos, the Géographique is certainly the most friendly one.

As for the Reverso Perpetual Calendar, the Géographique offers 2 faces.

One, classic and sober, very elegant, beautifully finished, with a superb balance of the informations displayed, which provides the hour, the minutes, the small seconds, and the day / night indicator which gives life and nicely contrasts with the silver dial.





The 2 different guillochages, and the heated blue hands complete the feeling of high finish of this watch.





The other side offers a totally different face...And an invitation to Travel.

There is something special about this dial, a blend of strength, given by this black color, of symmetry, as all the informations are nicely balanced, and of Elegance, if you pay attention to the sunburst guilloché, on the second time zone hour, which contrasts with the vertical guilloché all around ( even if on my pictures, it is difficult to notice, but in real, it is sublime ) .



How does it work?

The Caliber 858 offers to this watch a simple, intuitive and friendy use of the Géographique Complication.





The pusher and the corrector only work on the verso black dial, and are used to set the Géographique complication.

With the corrector, you can set the hour of the 2d time zone, while you'll have to use the pusher to synchronize the 2d time zone with the time on the chosen city.

So, first choose your city with the pusher, then set the time displayed on the round dial by using the corrector, and all will be synchronized.

To get it well, the pictures posted under show that it is 10. 10 PM in Paris, as the day night indicator shows " night ", and 10.10 AM in the Samoa, as the GMT indicator says " - "





As for the Perpetual Calendar, I appreciate a lot the possibility to have a look at the complication ONLY when I want to do so, and to not have it permanently under the eyes.

One side for everyday, another for the travels, isn't this a great idea?

Indeed, these 2 Rose Gold Reversos are pure Gold Dream!





Hoping that you will enjoy this post and share your views on these marvels...

Best,

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-04 00:14:29 This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-10-08 02:54:49

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to keep...I can't think of a watch that
looks better in all different combinations of
metal and dial colour as well as different complications
you can put in a watch... the range of Reverso over years is just
mindboggling but never dull
You can just say Reverso is best watch to dress up
Thank you for marvelous pictures
Sincerely
Damjan

BUT I have to admit that this RG series is just awesome.

I had a problem with them, though as I  found sad that there was such a lack of balance between round and rectangular cases.

At this time, the only exceptional watches were rectangular.

Nowadays, this is not the case anymore, and this is a very good thing.

Yes; these RG Reversos Rock!

But wait a bit, I'm working on some platinum contenders, right now...

Best,

Nicolas.

, very hard not to get drawn into their tractor beam

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loved the rose gold Reverso series (as you know) and your review is a worthy reminder of what made this series of watches great - and a turning point in MJLC's history.

Thanks - enjoyed reading and viewing.

Andrew H

Of your Tourbillon...

I miss some good pics of this RG Reverso Tourbillon, and of the RG Chrono, to end the series of post I will dedicate to these golden marvels.

Stay tuned!

Best, my friend.

Nicolas.

my only reservation is the "QP" text on the perpetual--seems superflusous given the subdial that it surrounds.  But surely I can live with that!

And the rose gold cases lend a sophistication and fin-de-sicle opulence to the affair

J

Aren't we a bit too picky, though?

Best,

Nicolas.

As usual by the master himself.

Your description of the watch is more than what I had observed even when I have owned and worn it so many times on my wrist.
Great observation to style and to the various finishing details.

BTW - isn't the Geographique in your photo showing that Samoa is in the evening. I thought the "-" sign indicates it is reading the "-" side of the two city dials.

Looking forward to your other reviews on pieces from the past!

/W72

To answer your question, on the example taken from my pics, Paris is at 10 PM, and logically, Samoa is at 10 AM... Which corresponds to the " - " symbol.

That is simple and intuitive to read.

Thanks for your nice words, be sure that many other reviews are in the tube.

Best,

Nicolas.

Is'nt silly that II was using it wrongly for so long.    /W72

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Géographique front dial please, with the supremely balanced display at the top rather than at 1 o'clock
And the rear dial of the perpetual calendar, with the days and months in English please.
It shouldn't be that hard to find one of each and do the swapping of parts, and perhaps a drive gear modification for the day/night ...

What do you think?

Cazalea

Not only because he makes original and mad watches, but also because he worked, at this time, at the Manufacture!

Best, my mad friend.

Nicolas.

Stunning pair!

 

In many details similar but very different in character.

 

I prefer the symmetric PC case…

 

But in the same time my choice would be the GMT complication!

 

What can I say – the only solution would be to get both…

 

 

Thank you, Nicolas for another wonderful review!

 

 

Best, my friend

 

Blomman

Ulysse Nardin, which associates these 2 complications.

You see? There is always a solution. You juste have to ask!

Best, my friend.

Nicolas.

The same is true for the symmetrical back of the perpetual. Please tell JLC "not" to make something like that next year in a Grande Reverso size otherwise my endless financial grief will be forever "perpetuated"!

Thank you for the education. I have seen these pieces but not read much about them. Now I am much more informed.

Ruckdee

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Really, every one of the RG series is a masterpiece.  You are right that the Reverso is such a great canvas for a perpetual complication. 

Do you have a favorite from teh series...the minute repeater, perhaps?

Best always,

respo

I didn't find MY Perpetual Calendar, yet... THe MC 8 Days Skeleton is an awesome choice, yes, but I would prefer something slimmer...

I have my eyes on a Vacheron PC Skeleton, in platinum, but the beast is a bit pricey...

This RG Reverso PC is a very tempting choice, and has a big advantage: It houses a manual movement which is very interesting.

My favourite may well be one of these 2, or the MR, or the Chrono...

The tourbillon is superb, but  my favourite is the Platinum Nr 2 Skeleton, my absolute Champion, when it comes to Tourbillons, along with the Gyro I and the GP 3 Gold Bridges, and the Omega tourbillon Central.

I would say that my favourite is the Geographique...

Best,

Nicolas.

I however thought that we were going to see the Shark first?

You might actually get me to like RG.

Best regards,

George

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