Borna Bosnjak
The Reverso Tribute collection expands with the new Monoface mid-size that harkens back to the original 1931 design’s dimensions.The Tribute Duoface gets a luscious new case in 18k pink gold, sporting the same blue and silver dials of its steel sibling.While the Duoface gets more luxe, JLC dresses down the pink gold Reverso Tribute Tourbillon, now available in steel.There are few watches that draw such an instant connection with a brand’s identity in the way that the Reverso does with Jaeger-LeCoultre. Ever since the Reverso Tribute got its much-needed slimming down in 2023, JLC has been subtly iterating on the Tribute theme – be it with enamel miniatures or the uber-popular Reverso Tribute Chronograph. Though it might not scream novelty immediately, JLC is making the next important step in expanding the Reverso Tribute collection, and is doing so with what it’s calling the “mid-size” model, aimed squarely at those looking to get that small, shaped, and gender-neutral watch fix. While the Tribute mid-size is the big (or mid-size, see what I did there?) news, Jaeger-LeCoultre is also introducing two new variants of existing Reverso Tribute models – a Duoface in 18k pink gold, and a Tourbillon in steel. Let’s break down the details.Reverso Tribute Monoface mid-sizeLaunching with a casual blue and old-school silver dial, the new Reverso Tribute Monoface mid-size is what many fans, including myself, have been waiting for. In a time when watches, especially dressy ones, are getting smaller once again, and there’s an increase in appreciation of watches referencing particular design periods, this Art Deco number fits right in. In fact, this new size is close to the original Reverso form from 1931, and it’s as close as it comes in the modern era.The mid-size case dimensions come in at 24.4mm across and just 40.1mm lug-to-lug, with an excellent thickness of just 7.56mm. Say what you want about the Reverso originally being a sports watch, but those are dressy dimensions through and through, and they match its mid-size descriptor perfectly. And yet, combined with the textured Fagliano straps, I could easily see this being worn more casually too, perhaps even cheekily so and being worn reversed.While these dials are as simple as they need to be, showing only hours and minutes, the details are nonetheless impressive. I got to see these watches in person briefly and was astonished by the finishing considering just how flat the space between the crystal and dial surface actually is. JLC manages to facet the hands and indices to give them dimension, and the applied logo is the cherry on top.Despite its diminutive size, the new mid-size Reverso Tribute is still powered by a mechanical movement, in this case JLC’s in-house calibre 822. This manually wound movement is fitted to the watch’s rectangular case, offering 42 hours of power reserve.BrandJaeger-LeCoultreModelReverso Tribute MonofaceReferenceQ7168420Q716848JCase Dimensions24.4mm (W) x 7.56mm (T) x 40.1mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance30 metresCrystal(s)Flat sapphire frontDialSilver opaline, blue sunburst lacquerStrapFagliano calfskin, quick-change spring bars, folding claspMovementJLC 822, in-house, manual windingPower Reserve42 hoursFunctionsHours, minutesAvailabilityNowPriceUS$8,900Reverso Tribute DuofaceThe Tribute Duoface is my personal favourite expression of a contemporary Reverso. While I get that it removes any engraving potential on the caseback, the added functionality of a secondary dial in a package that’s still so slim and elegant is a no-brainer in my opinion. Joining the extant steel Duoface, JLC is introducing it in an 18k pink gold case with matching dial highlights. The width and lug-to-lug lengths are identical between the two, sitting at 28.3mm x 47mm, but according to JLC’s specs, the pink gold model slims down an additional 0.7mm and now measures 9.6mm in height. On paper, this may not be a significant difference, but I’ve yet to see how it translates on the wrist.Apart from the change in index finish to match the case, JLC also opted to remove the clous de Paris guilloche from the reverse dial of the precious metal model and extend the gold indices to the edges of the dial. While the guilloche is nice, I think that this gives the watch a much more balanced look. Now just remove the “night” and “day” printing, and you’d have minimalist perfection.Movement-wise, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds sports the in-house calibre 854 that’s manually wound and has 42 hours of power reserve. The 854 is cleverly designed so that the front dial and reverse minutes hand are controlled by the crown, while a slider hidden at the top of the reversible carriage adjusts the reverse hours.BrandJaeger-LeCoultreModelReverso Tribute Duoface Small SecondsReferenceQ3982590Case Dimensions28.3mm (W) x 9.6mm (T) x 47mm (LTL)Case Material18k pink goldWater Resistance30 metresCrystal(s)Flat sapphire front and backDialDark blue sunburst frontSilver sunburst reverseStrapBlue calf leather and blue Fagliano calfskin, gold pin buckleMovementJLC 854, in-house, manual windingPower Reserve42 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds (front)Second time zone, 24-hour indicator (reverse)AvailabilityNowPriceUS$25,500Reverso Tribute TourbillonCompleting the trio of new models is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in steel. Its complexity is only hinted at by the lovely sunburst silver front dial, while the full finishing and tech masterclass is on display once you flip it over. The reverse dial sports clous de Paris guilloche surrounding hand-bevelled components and a small secondary time zone dial, as well as the wide-open tourbillon aperture. Rather than housing a regular tourbillon cage – this is JLC, after all – this Reverso suspends the rotating assembly with ball bearings, significantly reducing the thickness of the movement to just 3.9mm.This results in a case measuring only 9.15mm in height, with a 27.4mm width and lug-to-lug of 45.5mm – smaller than the aforementioned Duoface Small Seconds. But the big novelty here is the steel case, which significantly dresses down the watch introduced at Watches & Wonders 2023, and gives it an overall monochrome look that differs from the contrasting design of the pink gold Reverso Duoface Tourbillon. Is it subtle? Hardly, given the very obvious tourbillon, but it could still absolutely pass as a high-end daily.BrandJaeger-LeCoultreModelReverso Tribute Duoface TourbillonReferenceQ392845JCase Dimensions27.4mm (W) x 9.15mm (T) x 45.5mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance30 metresCrystal(s)Flat sapphire front and backDialSilver sunburst frontOpaline silver and clous de Paris guilloche reverseBraceletBlack alligator leather and grey Fagliano calfskin, folding claspMovementJLC 847, in-house, manual windingPower Reserve38 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes(front)Second time zone (reverse)TourbillonAvailabilityNowPricePOA
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