Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau

Like you, I'm eagerly waiting to see this definitive Reverso Minute Repeater.

To help us in this long wait, I received some pictures from my contact at the Manufacture, to share with you.

Here is a pictorial summary:



And the detailled pictures on each details which makes this watch so special.

First, the recto side of the Cal 944:



Then, the verso side:



The decoration is very attractive, with some nice details, such as the governor, which has a sculptural dimension, or the " Clous de Paris finish on the verso side.

I'm waiting to see the definitive version in the flesh before posting any definitive observations, on this matter.

Let's say that, for the moment, the finish looks promising.

Mechanically, JLC developped an undisputable mastery in chiming watches, and here, it goes much farer than the alarm watches, of course, as I meant the minute repeaters, from the late 19th / early 20th century to 1993 and onwards.

Since the 1993 Reverso Minute Repeater, JLC thought and re thought this complication. opting for an innovative solution, in 2005, the gong, which is welded to the sapphire.

4 years after, JLC innovated, once again, with the Trebuchets, a kind of articulated hammers, to gain in power, which was first seen in the fabulous Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie.

These two solutions ( Trebuchet / gong welded to the sapphire ) were adopted in the Master Grande Tradition à Grande Complication, unveiled in 2010.

For the Reverso Repetition Minutes A Rideau, JLC kept the solution of the Trebuchet, and didn't weld the gong to the sapphire, thinking that the strenght of the Trebuchet, combined to a white gold case, would be enough in terms of richness and volume.

That is the technical specificity of this chiming marvel.

As far as I know, this is also the first time the " Rideau " ( curtain ) is used as a gasket, on a minute repeater.

When you don't use it, you almost don't see it:



When you want to hear your minute repeater, you have to pull the " rideau " from left to right, and it will cover the whole sapphire glass.



Once the curtain closed, the precious melody will start to chime.

Stunning, amazing, surprising... One regret, though:

When the curtain is closed, you hear the minute repeater, but you can't see the hammers playing / moving.

You have the sound, which is certainly the most important, but you don't have the corresponding image.

Aesthetically speaking, the watch is big, yes, almost as big as a Gyro II, but it is relatively thin, and, in any case, much thinner than the Gyro II, which is very appreciable ( 55 x 35 x 12 mm ).

As a big fan / lover of my Master Minute Repeater, I have to say that I'm very pleased to see this kind of aesthetics on this new chiming Reverso.

The open dial is captivating, with these blue screws and hands, the dark and clear silver movement parts, a sculptural horological piece!



The back side is also very pleasant and interesting to see / admire:



Less sculptural, more horological, you have here the pleasure to contemplate the traditiional decorations, like the Cotes De Genève, blended with some delicious Clous de Paris.

What a nice way to read the Time!

Of course, some details are waiting for receiving a confirmation, such as the level of finish, and the quality of the sound, as what we heard and saw in Geneva, was a Proto.

But, as previously said, it is yet promising.

For those who want to know more about this watch, here is the Link to Jerome's post:

jlc.watchprosite.com

Best,

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-08-24 23:13:17 This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-08-27 23:12:28