ReviewIcons Never Die: Presenting Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds

There are some icons that need no introduction and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one such watch that any horophile worth their salt would probably give their right arm for (you see what we did there)… Jokes apart, it is one-of-a-kind having no parallel with an interesting horological background, and this is what enhances its desirability among collectors. Now, we will not delve into the history of the Reverso since enough has been said and written about it and that would need a separate discussion. Here, we will focus on the more recent models—the Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds—and how the maison have embraced a more contemporary aesthetic with their Casa Fagliano collaboration, which also reconnects the watch to its sporting roots. Launched last year, these watches come in pink gold or stainless-steel cases, which have been redesigned and feature silver dials—closely recalling the silver dial of the first-generation Reverso. Here’s a closer look.

A Refined Makeover: An Ultra-Thin Case And Elegant Dials

Anyone who understand the relevance of a Reverso would know that the USP lies in its case design. Though there are other brands making rectangular cases, the complexity of its slide-and-swivel mechanism is what sets it apart from the rest. According to brand literature, ‘when the idea of a swivelling case was conceived for the first Reverso in 1931, it had to be rectilinear in order to function. Moreover, because the profile of a rectangular case closely follows the natural curve of the wrist and is thus highly ergonomic, it was ideal for the polo players for whom the design was originally intended. Once the case design was established, Jaeger-LeCoultre took the rectangular principle further, creating shaped movements specifically for Reverso that closely follow the contours of its case’. It is the slide-and-swivel mechanism of the Reverso, which makes crafting these cases an extremely complex task in watchmaking, thereby having watchmakers to reduce the thickness for the new Tribute Small Seconds iterations.

Launched last year, these watches come in pink gold or steel cases, which have been redesigned and feature silver dials—closely recalling the silver dial of the first-generation Reverso

₹21,30,000

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It is the slide-and-swivel mechanism of the Reverso, which makes crafting these cases an extremely complex task in watchmaking

₹21,30,000

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For the pink-gold case, the thickness has been reduced by almost 1mm to keep it at 7.56mm

₹21,30,000

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They are composed of more than 50 components, of which almost 40 are dedicated to the swivelling mechanism and for the pink-gold case, the thickness has been reduced by almost 1mm to keep it at 7.56mm whereas for the steel version the case thickness now stands at 8.5mm, and both offer a water-resistance of 30m. Also, keeping up with the Reverso tradition, these solid casebacks can be personalised, or turned over to change the watch face.

Keeping up with the Reverso tradition, these solid casebacks can be personalised, or turned over to change the watch face and offer a water-resistance of 30m

The dials contains all the signature design elements of the Reverso Tribute, with the hours marked by applied indexes rather than numerals, and the 12 marked by a double index

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

₹9,85,000

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And while the cases now have a slimmer profile, the real elegance comes through with the sophisticated dials with a sunray pattern (for the pink-gold versions). The watch face contains all the signature design elements of the Reverso Tribute, with the hours marked by applied indexes rather than numerals, and the 12 marked by a double index. The dauphine hands add visual depth and are in sync with the linear case geometry.

The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is powered by the manually-wound mechanical movement, Calibre 822. Composed of 108 components, this mechanically supreme movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours, and like all their manufacture calibres, its components are finely finished and decorated, even though they are hidden beneath the solid caseback

Technical Innovation: The Manual-Winding Calibre 822

The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is powered by the manually-wound mechanical movement, Calibre 822. Composed of 108 components, this mechanically supreme movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours, and like all their manufacture calibres, its components are finely finished and decorated, even though they are hidden beneath the solid caseback. This vouches for the brand’s commitment towards upholding the ideals of Swiss fine watchmaking to create outstanding timekeepers, which lead by example. This has been designed specifically for the Reverso based on their philosophy that the shape of a movement must always be appropriate to the proportions of the case in order to balance the mechanics as well as the design ratio.