Fratello’s Top 5 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Models
Another Friday, another list! Multiple people on the Fratello team own or have owned a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. One of them is Daan, who has a beautiful Reverso Classic Medium Duoface Small Seconds. He usually wears it on a leather and canvas Casa Fagliano strap. Last week, though, he swapped it for an Arroway mesh bracelet, which looks awesome. One photo of that combination suddenly resulted in a massive Reverso search in the Fratello offices. At the end of that search, one of the main takeaways was that there are so many Reversos to choose from, it can almost be overwhelming. That’s why we have lined up our top five Reverso models for this week’s list.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one of the watch industry’s iconic names that draws in many enthusiasts. If that interest turns into the urge to want one, that is where it can get tricky, simply because there are so many options. First and foremost, you have to find the right size. After that, get ready to study the different variations.
The image of Daan’s Reverso Classic Duoface Small Seconds that inspired this article
Would you like a Reverso Monoface, or do you prefer a Duoface? Does it need to be stainless steel, or will you consider a gold Reverso as well? Then comes the question of your available budget. This decision tree can feel daunting. That’s why we have picked the top five Reverso options that we encountered during our extensive search after seeing how good Daan’s Reverso looks on that Arroway mesh bracelet. What we quickly discovered is that we love the basic models the most because they respect the original design the best. Let’s find out more!
The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 — Image: Wind Vintage
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931
We’ll kick this list off with not just one watch but a series of Reversos. In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Reverso in style. The brand released three special models for the occasion, with two in stainless steel and one in rose gold. All three were beautiful tributes to the first Reverso from 1931. They featured a case measuring 46mm long, 27.5mm wide, and only 7.2mm thick. As a result of its slim profile, the watches are very easy to wear compared to some of the thicker Reversos, as Robert-Jan explained.
The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute To 1931 US Edition — Image: Mr. Watchley
Jaeger-LeCoultre used its caliber 822 to power these models. This 19-jewel manual-winding caliber operates at 21,600vph and offers 42 hours of power reserve. Jaeger-LeCoultre gave one of the stainless steel models a black dial with white hour markers and sword-style hands, also with crisp white lume. The second stainless steel version was a US exclusive that featured a black dial with faux-vintage lume for the hands and markers. This version also has syringe-style hands to make it look different.
The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 in 18K rose gold — Image: Wind Vintage
Dials with striking simplicity
The third model was an 18K rose gold one with a white dial featuring Arabic numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock. Additionally, the baton hour markers were painted gold for an even more exclusive look. The one thing about these three versions that we adore is the simplicity of the dials. By using only the word “Reverso” on the top half, the emphasis is on the brilliantly straightforward dial design.
Image: Mr. Watchley
The story continues…
But Jaeger-LeCoultre decided that these three 80th-anniversary models weren’t the end of the series. In the years after, a series of often very limited versions followed. Among them was a stainless steel Edition Spécial Rouge in 2012 with a beautiful red dial and a stunning green-dial version for the London JLC boutique, which was a limited edition of 26 pieces.
Image: Mr. Watchley
Another standout was the version with a blue enamel dial from 2013. This special Duoface featured another time zone on the second opaline white dial finished with Clous de Paris guilloché. Many people praised this special boutique edition as one of the best of the series, and it’s easy to see why. It simply is a stunning version of the classic Reverso. Looking at the face of the watch, the only giveaway that there is something special about it (other than its blue dial) is the pusher on the right side of the case.
Image: Mr. Watchley
The first three models, although limited, are easy to find for sale. Interestingly, the rose gold one goes for not much more than the two stainless steel versions. Expect to see prices start at roughly €9K for the stainless steel models and move up to €13K. The rose gold variant starts at roughly €11K and moves up to €13K as well. All the different models that came after are being offered at various prices. As you will understand, the beautiful red- and green-dial versions go for significantly more. Overall, though, this series is the perfect opener for the list.
Image: Chroneo
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface “Night & Day” ref. 270.8.54
Our next pick is one of the more affordable pre-owned Reverso models. Starting in 1991, under the direction of Günter Blümlein and Henry-John Belmont, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced complications to the Reverso. This marked a new beginning for the watch and, essentially, started the story of the Reverso as we know it today. One of the most remarkable models that came three years later was the Reverso Duoface.
Image: Chroneo
The watch’s principle was as simple as it was brilliant. The front-facing dial displays the local time, but if you flip the case around, you can keep track of the home time. This was possible thanks to a second dial displaying an independent time zone and a sub-dial that served as a day/night indicator.
Image: Chroneo
The Reverso Duoface ref. 270.8.54 came with the Grande Taille case, which had debuted in 1991. The case was 42mm long, 26mm wide, and 9mm thick. It introduced contemporary dimensions that were much more to the liking of watch fans in the 1990s. As you can see, the main silver dial has beautiful guilloché patterns and a small seconds display at 6 o’clock.
Image: Chroneo
The in-house caliber 854
If you flip the case, you are greeted by a black dial that is equally refined and even more detailed. It features a large display for the time and a smaller 24-hour register. Just look at this beautifully executed dial, and you’ll understand why it is easy to fall in love with a Reverso.
Inside the case, you will find the manual-winding caliber 854. It consists of 180 parts, operates at 21,600vph, and offers 45 hours of power reserve.
image: Chroneo
This watch looks good on a variety of straps, but I have always adored it on the stainless steel bracelet. It transforms the Reverso from a dressy, classic-looking timepiece to an elegant daily wearer. Now you’ll probably also understand why we loved seeing Daan’s Reverso on the mesh bracelet.
Image: Chroneo
Anyway, prices for this classic Duoface start at roughly €6K and move up to a little over €10K for the newer models from the early 2000s in great condition. But you should easily be able to get one between €5.5K and €8K.
Image: Mr. Watchley
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Art Deco ref. 277.34.60
The next pick is an absolute stunner from the brand’s Art Deco series, which was produced from 1992 until 2002. As part of the series, Jaeger-LeCoultre produced the first Reverso Art Deco with an engraved skeletonized movement. As you will understand, it makes this Art Deco model immediately stand out. But the magic starts on the front with this. The watch combines a white gold Grand Taille case (42mm × 26mm × 10mm) with a stunning salmon dial.
Image: Mr. Watchley
The guilloché finish looks simply amazing. Jaeger-LeCoultre also changed up the dial design. It features applied white gold dagger-style indexes, with two razor-sharp white gold dauphine hands hovering above it all.
Image: Mr. Watchley
The skeletonized caliber 822AD looks stunning
If you flip the case over, you will be greeted by the skeletonized caliber 822AD. Essentially, it is an open-worked version of the regular caliber 822. The time-only movement operates at 21,600vph and offers 45 hours of power reserve. But just look at it! The way it is executed is wonderful. The rose-gold-gilded movement looks amazing and organic. The individual parts were freehand engraved, displaying an impressive level of craftsmanship. Honestly, I would often be tempted to wear the watch with the movement facing me. It just looks that good!
Finding one of the white gold Art Deco models can be challenging. The brand produced 200 pieces in white gold and 900 in rose gold. As you will understand, the white gold ones don’t pop up regularly. When they do, you will usually see prices between roughly €15K and €25K. If you can find one in the lower half of that price range, it’s an absolute bargain. This Reverso Art Deco is a proper display of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s exceptional watchmaking skills.
Image: The Watch Club
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds
Now we move on to the first model on this list that is still part of today’s Reverso collection. When the blue-dial Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in steel debuted in 2018, fans agreed that it was a great modern version of the classic Reverso design. This led to a palpable hype surrounding the watch. In 2019, the brand added a version with a deep red dial and then followed that with a green Boutique Edition in 2021. As the latest addition to the lineup, JLC released a version with a silver opaline dial last year.
Image: The Watch Club
Regardless of which one you like, the design of this Monoface Small Seconds is wonderful. The watches all have a 45.6mm × 27.4mm × 8.51mm case. That case is combined with beautiful sunray dials for the three colorful versions. On top of these dials are faceted and polished hour markers matched with dauphine hands for a great look.
Image: Zeituaktion
But the one element I adore most is the detailed circular small seconds register. Compared to earlier versions, it is larger, and the circle is grounded in the outer track. On top of that, if you look closer, you will see that it is not a perfect circle. The markers alternate in size beautifully. As a result, the dial design looks strict but has its welcome quirky little details.
A silver opaline dial with dark gray indexes
For the version with the crisp silver opaline dial, the designers decided to make the markers and hands a darker gray. To be honest, I am not particularly a fan of this. If they had used the regular faceted and polished hands, I think it would have made that version an absolute stunner.
It must be noted that this design choice is rooted in the brand’s historical archives. Then again, if you want a “standard” black or white version of this beauty, it is not available at this point. Having said that, we have had all four color options in the office, and the red, green, and blue versions are nothing short of impressive every time we see them.
Image: The Watch Club
Inside the case, Jaeger-LeCoultre equips the watches with its caliber 822, the same movement as in the Tribute to 1931. Once again, this hand-wound movement runs at a frequency of 21,600vph, features 19 jewels, and has a power reserve of 42 hours. As with most Monoface models, the movement is safely hidden behind the case back.
Image: The Watch Club
One of the things that we all immediately said was how great these colorful versions would look on the mesh bracelet that Daan paired with his Duoface. New, the stainless steel Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds models cost €11,500. However, a glance at prices for pre-owned examples reveals that they start at roughly €7K. Whether new or pre-owned, this will buy you a collective favorite from the current Reverso collection.
Image: Second Movement
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds
Our last pick is the Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds. If you are looking for the most straightforward model sporting the looks that most people will associate with the modern Reverso, this is it. Currently, this model is only available with a large 45.6mm × 27.4mm × 8.51 case. But if you go pre-owned, you will also be able to find a smaller version that measures 42.9mm × 25.5mm. The size difference might not seem that significant, but as Daan explained in the article about his Reverso, different dimensions lead to completely different wearing experiences.
Image: Second Movement
The detail and finishing of the Reverso Classic dials are completely different from the sunray dials from the Tribute versions. The silvered backdrop features a vertically brushed outer section that holds the black Arabic numerals. The inner portion features a beautiful, intricate guilloché texture. Lastly, there is the rectangular small seconds display at 6 o’clock. As you can see, the dial is contrasted by a blued handset that looks super nice. The look of this dial has become a classic that many people adore.
Image: Second Movement
Prices for the different versions fluctuate
Inside the cases of both the large and small versions is JLC’s in-house caliber 822, just like the Tribute models we featured above. A brown calfskin leather strap completes the ensemble.
Image: Second Movement
The current list price for the Classic Monoface Small Seconds with the large case is €11,500. Prices for pre-owned examples start at roughly €6.5K and easily move up to €10K. The version with the smaller case is only available pre-owned, and it goes for roughly similar prices as its bigger brother. That will buy you a timeless Reverso sporting the looks that many watch fans know and love.
Final thoughts on our top five Reverso models
There you have it — our list of five Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso models that we adore. You might be thinking, “Where are the complicated and precious-metal models?” And you would be right; aside from the white gold Reverso Art Deco and a mention of the rose gold Tribute to 1931, they are indeed missing from this list. But as I already explained, we made some deliberate choices. First, we like our Reversos as thin as possible, and these models fit that criterion.
Additionally, we wanted to provide an overview of stainless steel Reversos to give you an idea of some of the most attainable options. Although I admit that the gold versions of the different models on this list are not ridiculously more expensive than their steel counterparts, after going over the different options, I can envision making a follow-up to this Top 5. In the meantime, look out for a new list next Friday!
