Carefully refreshed for an even more pronounced art-deco feel, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin (ref. Q2782520) is a successor to a model that was first designed with wealthy sportsmen in mind. Despite the age, it still successfully combines the best of two worlds with its extremely elegant rose gold body successfully protecting the front sapphire crystal from vicissitudes of life.
At the latest SIHH 2011 trade show, the Manufacture has presented an almost overwhelming number of the new members of the ultra-luxury Reverso collection. The elegant and refined Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin in Rose Gold (Ref. Q2782520) was among them.
Overall Impression
Initially designed with polo players in mind, the Reverso is rarely (to say the least) used by sportsmen during an actual game, so the legendary rotating case here is more of an homage to a timeless classic rather than a useful feature (I mean, if you are one of those persons who constantly hits concrete walls and car door panels with their timepieces, you probably need something like a G-Shock with its resin-clad case and a shock-resistant quartz mechanism). Although not looking like your standard dressy two-hander, the Reverso line is currently one of the most desirable dress watches available on the market.
Its lines are deliciously clean and there is only so much of decor that is needed to differentiate this piece of watchmaking art from other contenders. Its dial is easy to read and its mechanism is one of the best mechanical calibers ever produced by a Swiss brand. What else would you want?
Mechanism
Mechanically, this is model is identical to the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 Limited Edition that was announced almost two months ago and also presented at the SIHH 2011.
It is powered by the same ultra-thin (only 2.94 mm in height!) JLC Caliber 822 hand-wound movement.
Here seemingly for ages, this is perhaps one of the most reliable mechanical movements on the market that not only withstands daily abuse (it was designed to power wealthy person’s daily beaters) without significant consequences but also keeps pretty good time at that. Of course, you should take into account that the mechanism still needs to be serviced properly at recommended intervals and you probably shouldn’t try to crack walnuts with it.
Case
As the aforementioned 1931 limited edition model, the piece is presented in the same ultra-slim rectangular case.
Being whole 46 mm long and 27.50 mm wide, the rose gold case (it is also available in a stainless steel version) is only 7.20 mm thick.
Of course, watches that are usually powered by such thin movements tend not to be more than 5.50 millimeters in height. However, neither those ultra-thin timekeepers possess a reversing mechanism whatsoever.
Dial
As usual for the Reverso series, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin comes equipped with an elegantly understated silvered dial sporting simple vertical guilloche pattern, as well as stamped Arabic numerals and hour markers.
A pair of blued sword-shaped hour and minute hands finishes the picture of a perfect gentleman’s tool.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Duo in Rose Gold (Ref. Q3742421)
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin in Rose Gold (Ref. Q2782520) specification
Price: $18,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, JLC Caliber 822, in-house, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand, 2.94 mm in height, 134 parts, Swiss Made
Movement frequency: 21,600 vph
Number of jewels: 21
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case: Rose gold
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions: 46.00 mm x 27.50 mm
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Case height: 7.20 mm
Dial: Silvered
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel, blued
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Black alligator leather strap with pin buckle in rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid gold
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