Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface

In the world of timepieces with a story, the Reverso holds its own alongside the greatest watches in the industry.In the early 1930s, César de Trey, a Swiss entrepreneur and watch enthusiast, attended a polo match between British soldiers in India. According to horological lore, after one of the soldiers broke the crystal of his wristwatch, de Trey was challenged to come up with an invention that would prevent such damage from occurring. De Trey took the casual challenge seriously and reached out to Jacques-David LeCoultre, who managed LeCoultre at the time.

LeCoultre then turned to French designer Réne-Alfred Chauvot to design a reversible-case watch that would flip over, exposing a caseback and protecting the crystal. In 1931, Chauvot patented this system, which was dubbed “Reverso.” César de Trey then purchased the patent from Chauvot, establishing Spécialités Horlogères S.A. with LeCoultre in the process in order to distribute designs produced by LeCoultre and Jaeger S.A, a Parisian firm founded by Edmun Jaeger. By 1937, LeCoultre and Jaeger S.A. merged, and Jaeger-LeCoultre was born.

Thus, the Reverso is significant not only in its captivating flipping case, but also its instrumental role in the history of JLC. Today, the Reverso is one of the most celebrated and beloved watches on the market.

The Reverso is riddled with Art Deco influences, from the case’s horizontal grooving, to the lug profile and rounded flanks of the case.

This particular Reverso, a Reference 273.8.85, is the modern extension of JLC’s original blueprints for the Reverso, made with a second face on the reverse side of the case in place of the blank caseback seen on earlier variants. Housed in a 30mm 'carriage' case, this piece offers a larger presence on the wrist compared to earlier Reversos.

Fashioned from stainless steel, completed with sapphire crystals and a stainless steel deployant clasp, this watch is the combination of both heritage and contemporary finishing details.

The front facing dial of this Reverso features the primary time display with subsidiary seconds, and a unique complication, an exposed date wheel at 12 o’clock. The dial is completed with Arabic numerals and a guilloché dial center. The reverse side is made in a contrasting black color, with a 24 hour indication in case the dial is set to an alternative time zone. Featuring a round motif instead of the rectangular front, the two faces have two distinct identities.

This piece is a beautiful mix of details, interesting on both the complication side and the design side. The ultimate conversation starter, this piece will turn heads without being gaudy or flashy!

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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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

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 one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

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.