This Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Reverso, Ultra-Thin Duoface “Blue“ watch is one of very few ‘Boutique Edition’ pieces, created as a tribute to the earliest Reverso wristwatches. The blue lacquer dial is carefully colour-matched to that of a similar 1933 Reverso, creating a contemporary twist on a vintage classic.

Introduced in 1931, the Reverso was born out of functional necessity. Its purpose stemmed from a common complaint by British officers stationed in India, often disgruntled by the damaging of their wristwatch glass during polo matches. Swiss businessman and brand associate of the time, César de Trey, conveyed this message to his supplier Jacques-David LeCoultre, bringing about a solution in the form of a wristwatch that had a swiveling face, allowing the case to be ‘reversed’ over in order to protect the glass. It was actively promoted “Pour Les Heures D’Activites Physique”, and is unofficially classified as the ‘first sports watch’.

Fast forward to 2013, the Grand Reverso, Ultra-Thin Duoface “Blue“ was inspired by a highly-collectable, blue dial variation from the 1930s, and revealed as part of the brand's 180th anniversary celebration.

This Grand Reverso, Ultra-Thin Duoface is sized at a contemporary 46.5mm x 27.5mm (9mm thick) and has a distinctive, stepped, rectangular case. The iconic reversible housing features angular, straight lugs and is polished throughout. The case-back is brushed and displays the manufacture's signature, along with ‘REVERSO’, ‘Special Edition’ and its unique reference numbers. On the reverse side, the watch features an entirely different dial, showing a second timezone. This second, opaline white dial is finished with clous de Paris guilloché, with luminous-filled, sword-shaped hands, indicating the hours and minutes. Below the main dial at 6 o'clock, a 24-hour sub-dial is shown, with "Day" and "Night" indicators printed on both sides.

The lacquer dial is a vibrant royal blue and has a fluid, glossy finish. The applied, rhodium-plated, polished struck hour-markers compliment the dial tone, coordinating perfectly with the traditional baton handset. The "Reverso" script, printed at 12 o'clock, utilises the same font used on the first 1931 Reverso. It also has its original signed crown, and comes equipped with a black alligator strap and JLC-stamped tang buckle.

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is powered by the 21-jewel Cal. 854/1 manual-winding movement (tracking both timezones), beating at a rate of 21,600 A/h, boasting a power reserve of up to 45 hours. The button on the right case-side (above the winding-crown) adjusts the second timezone.

The Reverso was somewhat of a utilitarian solution to a practical problem, but has since reinvented itself into a contemporary dress watch, fully-retaining its identity. Throughout its 86 year production run, the dial has often proved the canvas on which Jaeger-LeCoultre have experimented and redefined itself. The Duoface “Blue” encapsulates this is the best possible way.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look