New Release
Dje reports on the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso watches unveiled at SIHH 2009, highlighting what he considers the most significant new release for the brand. This article focuses on the evolution of the Reverso line, particularly the introduction of a slimmer Grande Reverso case that addresses a long-standing desire for a more elegant, yet versatile, timepiece. Dje provides an in-depth look at how JLC is refining its iconic collection.
Once again this year
Nicolas and myself are reporting many great new Jaeger-LeCoultre watches to you
after this early SIHH 2009!
I will soon
share my deep desire for a perpetual calendar tourbillon and also my admiration
for a very beautiful artistic work done on a series of Master models decorated
with mother of pearl and diamonds. First I have to present you what I consider
to be the most important new watch for Jaeger-LeCoultre this year.
Certainly not
the most impressive, I see it as the most satisfying.
Since the
introduction of the 70eme in 2001 the Reverso range has expanded around a
modern size case that I've always considered too thick for my taste. The
Reverso Grande Date for instance is a very appealing affordable watch to say
the least, but too thick in my humble opinion to be able to be the perfect
dressed and at the same time casual watch a Reverso should be!
Please
don't forget the origin of the Reverso. It is a sport watch, or a watch
for sportsmen, but undoubtedly with a touch of class and understated elegance.
The Reverso
Squadra has brought back the sporting aspect very positively and appealed to a
younger audience but again it didn't do anything on the dressed side!!
I've
wished and asked for a slimmer Grande Reverso for a while and for once, not
that I've been heard, but I've probably shared a need, or desire,
with a sufficient market to be answered.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 976
So here and now
(soon) comes a new Grande Reverso, measuring 48.5 x 30 mm, i.e. close to the size
of a Reverso Grande Date, but with a thinner case.
If you want to
imagine, take the proportions of the Reverso GT, in a Grande Reverso length and
width!
The new in-house calibre 976
As you know
Jaeger-LeCoultre thinks that a watch calibre size should be consistent with the
watch size. So do we!
Consequently
this new Grande Reverso 976 houses a new calibre 976.
This calibre is
new in its manual wind form, but not totally new. It is in fact derived from
the automatic Squadra Hometime calibre 975.
High performance calibre
This new
iteration is adorned with a three quarter plate that emphasizes the large
free-sprung balance.
The finish
shown on the prototypes I've seen is apparently closer to a Reverso GT
calibre 822 finish than to a Reverso Squadra calibre finish, for our common
pleasure.
Clearly that
means a more traditional finish that fits better a more traditional watch. This
calibre 976 finish was seemingly better than the finish shown on the Reverso 8
Days calibre.
Obviously I
will wait to see the production pieces to confirm this opinion, but at least it
is a very satisfying choice of finish if it is confirmed.
The first manual wind autotractor
I was instantly
seduced by the Grande Reverso 976 presence on the wrist.
Perfect on my wrist
In fact
I'm seriously considering to add a second Reverso to my collection now!
Should I add
that the stainless steel Grande Reverso 976 is expected to be priced at 4850
euros!
The Reverso 78eme
The Reverso
60eme was the first Reverso to house the new calibre 822 family.
The Reverso
70eme was also the first reverse to house the new 8 Days calibre.
This time we
can suppose the calibre 976 was not considered new enough to be launched in an
80eme!
Maybe we will
see an 80eme in two year's time! Hopefully!!
The slim Grande Reverso
If you look at
the picture above you could think that it is a Reverso Gt, but it is indeed the
new Grande reverse 976. Tempted?
Modern performance in traditional clothing
Obviously I
would have preferred a more traditional architecture with several bridges, but
this three quarter plate is finally quite pleasant and after all the show is on
the balance.
Pink of desire
In fact my
favorite choice for a difference would have been for a plain back, or even
better, a plain back back with a porthole on the balance.
I would have kept
the full sapphire back for another watch with a date and a power reserve
indicator on the back! Let's hope as I'm sure we'll see other
variants in this perfect case.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 986 Duodate
As of today the
other option is the new Duodate, i.e. a Duoface with the date.
The dressed traveller's watch
The new
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 986 Duodate is slightly larger than the simpler
976.
I'm
personnaly less convinced by its size, but to be honest it is only slightly
larger and apparently not really thicker than the 976. I'm in fact sure
the larger wrists will be more than tempted by this option offering the best
Jaeger-LeCoultre option for a dressed international traveler's watch with
the date function.
I should add
that the second timezone on the back is nicely shown on a new grained surface
that brings a very qualitative feeling. It echoes nicely the two beautifully
finished dials of the 976 and 986, the 976 dial being more traditional and the
986 dial more daring.
A new grain black dial on the back
The new Grande
Reverso 976 is an unlimited production.
Probably due to
its larger size the Grande Reverso 986 Duodate is offered as a limited edition
of 1500 in
steel and 500 in
pink gold.
These two new
watches are certainly the first chapter of a revival of the sport chic
dressed-able Reverso saga, in modern clothing!
I personnaly
expect the stainless steel Grande Reverso 976 to be soon the best seller in the
Jaeger-LeCoultre range. I hope to take my share of its deserved success.
A new pink gold Reverso limited to 500
I hope
you'll be as thrilled as I am. I specially love those simple and lasting
pleasures!
Dje
Thanks Jerome for posting some informationand great ohotos of the new Reversos. I had been hoping for something new in the Squadra line, but these will do as well. LOL. The dials on both the new Reversos are really beautiful in the photos. I like the hobnail detailing and the granular face of the home time side of the duodate, although I find the date display on the duodate disapointing. But in the end, both pieces really come togetehr into successful watches. One thing you mentioned that I foun
I believe we really share common tastes Jérôme. I am very pleased to see that finally there is a return to more elegant (slim) proportions for the largest version of the Reverso. I have always found all the previous 'grande' or XGT Reversos cases unaesthetic on the wrist due to a thickness out of proportions compared to the original design / original standard of the Reverso, but with this one it seems that the reverso ratio is back, and from what I see it works very well on the large case as it
The bigger these watches get the less wearable and less elegant they seem to be, but I need to see them in the flesh before rejecting them outright. I still think the GT sized case is perfect - the challenge would be getting the complications in the smaller case.
I too agree that GT size is a perfect, modern size for the reverso, and more elegant that the 'grande' size (thick or slim), but creating a 'slim' version of the 'grande and big' is still an improvement an gives more elegance to the largest of the rectangular reversos. That being said, I agree that there should be more focus / more models in the 'conservative' GT size. When you say that this would be a challenge, well... when considering all the special limited editions of the years 1993-2000 th
Thanks for the review and your thoughtful comments, Jerome. I think this is an excellent direction for JLC to take with the Reverso range. I have the Grand Date and am very pleased with the size, although the extra thickness makes it less dressy than this new offering. The PG Grand Reverso 976 is the epitome of elegance in the Reverso range now. I am not convinced by the ¾ plate either and would have preferred a solid case back for the 976. I love the Lange 1 dial (particularly with Moonphase),
I was thinking the same thing about the "flat" looking movement and a display back being a bad combo on an otherwise excellent watch A
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