For the first time in nearly 75 years*, there is an automatic version of the mythical Reverso introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture in 1931. The caliber 970 built into this new best-seller gives it a large date indicator and a second time zone. Available since the end of May, this new and incomparably stylish classic has been a huge success and will be snapped up for this year’s festivities. We had to introduce to you it in greater detail…

*Apart from the Reverso Grand Sport Automatique introduced in 2001.

A great icon of the Art Déco period, the Reverso helped to drive the movement’s avant-garde and innovative spirit from the start. International by birth and vocation, it has embodied the same aesthetic since 1931. Its sober lines, elegance and pure geometric forms have become legendary, and still stimulate the inventiveness of top watchmakers and designers, whose only wish is to reinterpret this creation.

The new Reverso Grande Automatic has the biggest-ever case designed for a Reverso. Composed of over fifty pieces, it is perfectly in proportion and respects the essential Reverso characteristics and identity.

The guilloché silvered dial carries simple indications:

• Local time indicated by blue steel hands
• Reference time indicated by black nickel hand
• Large date indicator synchronised to local time
• Small second hand
• Day and night indicator (linked to the original time zone)

Originally created to withstand the polo matches played by the Indian Army, the Reverso owes its name and success to its reversible case.

Invented to protect the watch from shocks, the Reverso case has a hidden side. Over the years, it has carried every imaginable type of blazon and engraving, including generations of secret messages, because for wedding engagements, the Reverso is the most frequently given watch of all time.

The special Reverso gadroons and the mechanism which enables the watch to be turned have always been made with the greatest finesse, so the watch is almost impossible to counterfeit. Copies are so crude and oversized that it’s impossible not to spot them.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 970 in the Reverso Grande Automatic allies reliability, toughness, and the essential principles of watch making with contemporary, innovative solutions. The spring drum’s dimensions have been optimised to offer 50 hours power reserve. The unidirectional rewind rotor mounted on ceramic bearings requires neither lubrication nor maintenance. And the variable inertia balance wheel further increases the working precision and enables all of the indicators to be adjusted by a single winding crown.

The type of language required to describe the new Reverso Grande Automatic runs the risk of making you think that our article is nothing but empty flattery. So we’ll try to confirm the legendary Reverso’s current success in just a few words. Ladies and gentlemen of taste, of any age, will be charmed, and the oversized case of our new generation Reverso only adds to its attraction. We really hope you get the opportunity to put this watch’s powers of seduction to the test, if only to let yourself appreciate, (unless you have already), that the defining characteristic of a Reverso is its utter irresistibility.

•Case: Reversible. Stainless steel comprising over 50 pieces.
• Movement: Mechanical with automatic rewind, Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 970 manufactured, assembled and hand-decorated (233 pieces) 5.70 mm in height
Vibrations: 28,800/ph.
• Rubies: 29 rubies.
• Power reserve: 50hrs.
• Functions: Time indicator for travel time zone, minutes, small second, large date indicator of travel time zone, reference time, day and night indicator linked to reference time.
• Dial: Guilloché silver, black figures.
•Hands: Time and minute marker in blue steel, small second hand in blue steel, reference time in black nickel.
•Crystal: Sapphire hardness N°9.
•Back: Steel
• Winding crown: Single winding crown to wind watch and set local time, reference time, minutes, date and day/night.
•Water resistance: 30 meters
• Bracelet: Matt brown alligator with stainless steel folding clasp.

• Constructor’s Reference: 303 84 20

•Retail price tax included: 5950 euros

Other versions of the new Reverso Automatic are also available:

• Steel/Steel Ref: 303 81 20 Price:6,900 €

• Pink gold / Leather Ref: 303 81 20 Price:12,150 €

• Pink gold / Pink gold Ref: 303 21 20 Price:21,950 €

Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced a faultless piece. Up until now, though the timeless Reverso models are still charming and attractive, their slightly outmoded aspects, such as the mechanical winding crown, the absence of date indicator, and zero water resistance though easily forgotten, have nevertheless made the Reverso a watch from another time. But now the Manufacture has given the most beautiful gift to unconditional lovers of the model. At last there’s a watch that brings modern characteristics and all the Reverso’s strongest points together in the brand catalogue. All that, plus the luxury of a second time zone…

Strong points
•The charm of a timeless legend
• Finish
• Automatic rewind
• Second time zone
• Water resistance
• Date

Weak points
• Hands for hours and second time zone are confusing to start with
Our rating: *****

We would like to thank the teams at Jaeger-LeCoultre France for their precious help, which has enabled us to share with you our passion once more

Thierry Castagna / La Cote des Montres™
Photos Luc Virginius