Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute To 1931

The Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre's most distinctive watch, certainly has an impressive pedigree. 

Essentially one of the first sports watches, the Reverso combined utility with a sleek and elegant Art Deco exterior that has become an icon of horological design. But in the case of the Reverso, looks deceive.

Though the Reverso appears at first glance a dress watch, it owes its existence to the gentlemanly sport of polo. While touring India in the early 1930s, Swiss businessman César de Trey met a British polo player who'd just cracked the crystal of his watch on the field. De Trey returned to Switzerland with an idea already taken root in his head, which he then discussed with Jacques-David LeCoultre: what if a watch could be made with a case that could reverse?

The patent was placed in 1931, and the first Reverso that followed measured 38mm in length, 24mm in width. Jaeger-LeCoultre also released the Reverso in gold, and decorated the case back with engravings or even miniatures. 

But with changing tastes in the 1970s — for round watches as well as quartz movements — Jaeger-LeCoultre ceased production of the Reverso. The model lay dormant for years until its triumphant re-issue in 1982. While those watches contained quartz movements, their success represented a future for the Reverso — which has since returned to its previous tentpole status within the greater JLC lineup.

The particular Reverso we have here was released in 2011 to commemorate 80 years of the model. With a new ultra-thin construction, while retaining the signature reversible case, this piece is finished in stainless steel and features a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a simple black dial applied luminous indices and a matching luminous 'sword' handset.

That's it. Simple.

Powered by the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822, it comes paired to a lovely black alligator leather strap with a signed pin buckle.

No reverso has stirred the hearts of collectors the way the Tribute to 1931 has. Coupling superior vintage looks reminiscent of the original, a high grade manual-winding movement, and a universally admired design in a new ultra-thin case design.

In terms of elegant design and horological prowess, this watch punches way above its weight class, and simply cannot be overlooked.

Few watchmaking concerns are as storied as Jaeger-LeCoultre. Though the maison is not technically a member of the “Holy Trinity” of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin, one could easily make the argument that it should be: After all, it was JLC that supplied movements to Patek from the beginning of the 20th century through the early 30s.

Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoutlre in Le Sentier, Switzerland, the firm became the Jaeger-LeCoultre we know today when it merged with Parisian watchmaker Edmond Jaeger’s business in 1937. The two horological concerns collaborated on numerous projects before cementing their partnership, the most important of which was no doubt the Reverso. A sport watch with a reversible case, this ingenious timepiece was designed to offer protection to the watch dial — when engaged in sport or otherwise dangerous activity, the wearer would simply flip the case over, exposing its back to the world, rather than the vulnerable crystal.

But the Reverso is far from the only significant timepiece brought to market by JLC: The firm also produced the world’s thinnest pocket watch in 1907, powered by the Caliber 145. In 1929, the maison released the Caliber 101, still today the smallest mechanical movement. (Queen Elizabeth II wore a Caliber 101-equipped wristwatch to her coronation in 1953.) And perhaps no other watchmaker is world-renowned for their production of a clock in the way that JLC is famous for the Atmos. Invented by Jean-Léon Reutter, it’s powered by miniscule changes in atmospheric pressure — Edmon Jaeger acquired the patent and licensed it beginning in 1936. The Atmos is still produced in numerous forms today, and remains the Swiss government’s foremost diplomatic gift.

From classic, near-centuries old designs like the Reverso and the Atmos to modern über-complications such as the brilliant Master Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains on the cutting edge of horological technology nearly two centuries after its founding.

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Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

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We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

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Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

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