Jaeger-LeCoultre Gran'Sport Reverso

Few watches are as instantly recognizable as the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Born in 1931 from a practical challenge posed on the polo fields of British India, its ingenious reversible case was designed to protect the crystal during play. What began as a sporting solution quickly transcended its origins, becoming one of the defining designs of the Art Deco era and, ultimately, one of the most important wristwatches ever produced.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Jaeger-LeCoultre began exploring a more contemporary side of the Reverso. The result was the Gran'Sport collection, a fascinating chapter in the model's history that blended the elegance of the classic Reverso with the durability and versatility of a modern sports watch. Water-resistant, automatically wound, and frequently paired with rubber straps or bracelets, these watches represented a bold departure from the dressier Reversos that had come before.

This particular Reverso Gran'Sport is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features a 27mm x 43mm reversible case with the collection's signature stepped gadroons and more muscular proportions. The silver dial is rich in detail, combining oversized Arabic numerals, luminous sword hands, a textured central guilloché pattern, and a date display at six o'clock. A red-tipped seconds hand provides a subtle sporting flourish, while the signed screw-down crown further underscores the watch's everyday practicality.

Perhaps the most distinctive element is the signed black rubber strap paired with its matching gold deployant clasp. Unusual on a precious-metal Reverso and emblematic of the Gran'Sport's forward-thinking design, it gives the watch a casual versatility that feels remarkably contemporary more than two decades after its introduction.

Powered by an automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre movement and housed within one of watchmaking's most celebrated case designs, the Reverso Gran'Sport occupies a unique place in the model's history. Equal parts sport watch, dress watch, and design icon, it remains one of the most compelling—and increasingly collectible—modern interpretations of the Reverso ever produced.

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 LeCoultre 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 — Edmond 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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Condition

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.

Warranty

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

International Buyers

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

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.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.