We all have these dream pictures in mind which come from the JLC Press Department:
Reverso Platinum Nr 2:
Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton:
They both are a kind of obsession for me.
Each time I go to the Manufacture, I ask to see them, once again, in the flesh... Each time!
As this year is THE celebration year of the Reverso, I couldn't miss the opportunity to kindly ask to the JLC team a private photography session about these 2 watches.
In my opinion, these two Tourbillons are among the finest Reversos ever made.
How many platinum models are / were made, by the way?
Not that much!
The big Triptyque and Gyrotourbillon II, the XGT Grande 101, Septantième and A Eclipse, and the following GT: Moonphase, Reserve de Marche ( the only one being unlimited ), Platinum Nr 1, Nr 2, and the Tourbillon Skeleton.
Let's have a detailled look on these 2 marvels, which both share a GT platinum case ( 42, 25 x 26 x 9, 4 mm), but which show a very different personality.
1/ The Reverso platinum Nr 2:
The Reversos platinum were conceived and thought a bit like their rose gold sisters, a limited edition displaying some nice complications, or sophistications.
With the Number 1 ( in 2001 ), the fine art of engraving was honored.
With the Number 2, in 2003, the focus was put on the Tourbillon, once again, as 10 years before, JLC already released a Reverso Tourbillon, but in a rose gold case.
The Recto and the Verso are two excellent reasons to love this watch.
- The Recto:
The dial is ( hand ) made in 18-Carat Gold, ruthenium finished, with powdered silver numbers, applied " JL " Logo and heated blue second / minute / hour hands.
The quality feeling is immediately perceptible, when you look at this dial.
The combination of colors ( dark slate grey / white / blue ) is awesome, and the symmetry of the dial is not ruined by the power reserve indicator which is nicely integrated.
Classic / Modern ... Timeless, for an 8 years old watch, now.
The sober face hides its treasure, which can be found on the Verso side of the watch, with a small hint, the mention " Tourbillon " written on the small seconds subdial:
- The Verso... " An invitation to turn your back to Time ".
The Cal 848 is an hand wind movement, quite thin ( 4, 9 mm ), whose plate and bridges are made in 18-Carat white gold.
It beats at 21 600 vibrations per hour, and offers a power reserve of 45 hours.
It is entirely hand assembled and decorated, with heated blue hands, as such a noble movement deserves it.
The Tourbillon, made of 70 parts, weights only 0, 25 grams.
Words are words, pictures are stronger, to fully get the beauty of this time keeper:
These Cotes Soleillées, which merge to the Tourbillon cage, are literally playing with light, and add to the natural fascination of the Tourbillon Ballet.
Candy for the eyes:
The very good point with this watch is that you are not always obliged to see / admire the Tourbillon.
At a very few exceptions, I'm not a big fan of the tourbillons on the dial, the exceptions being the Gyrotourbillon I or II, and the Girard Perregaux Tourbillon under gold bridge(s).
Here, I admire the Tourbillon when I want, by flipping the case... Pleasure on Demand.
One word on the platinum case, whose dimensions are perfect for this dressy watch, in terms of volumes.
The platinum gives the necessary density to this modest watch, hence a very pleasant feeling once the watch on the wrist.
And, for once, the Navy Blue Crocodile strap and the Platinum ( simple ) folding buckle are a pleasure to wear, see and feel!
2/ The Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton:
The refinement, but a step above...
If we can say that the Platinum Nr 2 is a marvel, the Tourbillon Skeleton is a jewel.
The Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton is THE watch which introduced me to the pleasure of skeleted dials.
There was a precedent, in 2001, with the Reverso Platinum Nr 1:
The Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton is a totally different watch, when you compare it to the " Nr 1 " or with the " Nr 2 ".
The skeleton on the Nr 1 movement, the Cal 849, is reworked in a kind of " old school "/ traditional way, and, of course, it doesn't have any tourbillon.
On the Tourbillon Skeleton, the movement is designed in a more modern-should I say lighter?- style, and it is visible on both the Verso and Recto sides of the watch, at the difference of the Nr 2.
When Horology, Scultpure and Ballet meet ...
Recto:
The Recto side displays the hours, minutes, and seconds, which is the essence of a timekeeper, but in an impressive epured way.
The movement is not only functionnal, here, it is mainly an artistic expression, it is an opportunity to let the watchmakers to transform themselves in Artists.
Here, we play with the levels, the colors, the curves, rather than wheels, bridges, escapement, screws...
The Verso face let more place to the Tourbillon, the style is the same, as well as the feeling it provides:
When the 2 faces are on the carriage, you can't see another great detail of the watch: Its transparency.
Remove it from the carriage, and you will be puzzled by the light, almost aerial look of the 2 faces.
Are you prepared to an aesthetical shock?
This skeleted version of the Cal 848 is one of the most appealing, of the most refined, and well finished movement I've seen in any modern JLC watch.
An intense pleasure for the owners of this jewel, a nightmare for the others, as it can easily become an obsession!
The Reverso Tourbillon Skeleton is a very rare bird, much rarer than the " Nr 2 ", as the Skeleton was made in only 35 pieces, while the non skeleton was supposedely made in 500 pieces.
If I say supposedely, it is because in 2003, this watch was announced to be made in 2 years, which was not the case.
My guess is that much less than 500 pieces were produced, while I can say that the 35 pieces of the Tourbillon Skeleton were sold out quite quickly and easily, in spite of a higher price ( almost 20 000 Euros more ).
I will not close this topic without showing you 2 side by side pictures of the Reverso Platinum Nr 2 and Tourbillon Skeleton, to enhance their different character.
One is definitely mysterious, keeping the secret of its Tourbillon under a plain dial, the other is more exuberant and demonstrative.
Of course, I would say that the Tourbillon Skeleton is the most appealing and tempting of these 2, but I would not say that the " Nr 2 " is a second choice, by far, and it has a big advantage for me: its tourbillon on the back side, which is as rare as discrete..
In fact, each of these 2 would be a milestone in any collection.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments,
Best.
Nicolas.
This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-10-09 00:02:44 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-10-12 12:15:35 
