Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the iconic JLC Reverso (a line that was loved by all generations of polo players, but are now considered a distinguished gentleman’s wristwatch of choice,) Jaeger-LeCoultre will soon start selling their hand-wound Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 Limited Edition (refs. Q2788570 & Q2782521). As it often happens with models from JLC, the new version will be presented both in modest (but still expensive at almost $8000 MSRP) stainless steel and more luxurious rose gold.
Paying homage to the 1931 year’s model, the new limited edition will have the corporate logo removed from the dial and replaced with a simple “REVERSO” inscription.
Featuring only two sword-shaped hour and minute hands and a prominent, railway-style minute track, the black dial is adorned with highly contrasting hour markers in a nod to the 1931 year model.
Among all Reversos, this one features the most balanced and elegant dial layout.
The Tribute to 1931 is going to be presented in two versions: one in stainless steel (Ref. Q2788570) and the other one in 18-karat rose gold (Ref. Q2782521) case measuring comfortable 46 millimeters from lug to lug, approximately 27.5 mm in width (the tiny crown is, of course, not included) and only 7.2 mm in thickness that makes it especially nice to wear with formal attire.
The impressive thinness of the is achieved thanks to the manually-wound JLC Caliber 822ultra-thin movement.
Crafted, assembled and decorated by hand, this rather slow-beating movement is built on 21 jewels and comprises 134 parts. The mechanism was introduced almost two decades ago in 1991 and, during these long years, gained itself fame of an extremely robust and precise -if somewhat archaic in its delicious simplicity- movement. Although you probably won’t surprise anybody with its power reserve of just 45 hours, it is still adequate for a daily, um, ‘luxury beater’.
Both versions will be water-resistant to 30 meters and have a “1000 Hours Control” indication on their backs. While you don’t need to wear a gorgeous beard to have one of these beauties, be warned that the iconic model with its unmistakable art-deco styling still requires a level of refinement far beyond faded blue jeans and a polo shirt. After all, by buying one of these, even if it’s a relatively affordable version in stainless steel, you are becoming a part of the legend, a part of the myth.
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5
See also: SIHH 2010: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 (refs. Q2788570 & Q2782521) specification
Price: $7750 (Stainless steel, Ref. Q2788570) / $16,400 (18-karat Rose gold, Ref. Q2782521)
Movement: JLC Caliber 822, ultra-thin, height 2.94 mm, 21 jewels, 21,600 vph, 134 parts, Swiss Made
Winding: Hand-wound
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case: Rose gold or Stainless steel
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions: 46.00 mm x 27.50 mm
Case height: 7.2 mm
Dial: Black (stainless steel) or Silvered (rose gold)
Numerals: Arabic (on rose gold model)
Hands: Steel or Gold
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Black alligator leather with pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved
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Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.