The Reverso Septantième was one of my targets as soon as it was announced, in 2001. It took me 6 years to find and fund it. Each time I tried it on my wrist, I was more and more convinced that it was a watch for me, despite its three " cons " which were the size of the case, the luminous hands and the retail. 

The retail, at around 300, 000 French Francs ( 45, 000 Euros ) shocked me a bit. Especially when Jaeger Lecoultre issued the Reverso Grande Date in steel, one year after, for much less. Of course, the metal is different, the movement of the Grande Date was not made in 18 Kt white gold and the decoration of the dial is more " basic ", but still... 

The case size ( XGT case ) looked like a giant, or a Reverso under testosterone, as it was the first to receive such generous dimensions, after the saga of the GT case. I had to get used to the 46, 5 x 29, 23 mm big and 12 mm high case, I have to confess, and the bigger the case is in platinum, the heavier it is. It is not the most comfortable watch I own, I have to say. 

The luminous hands still are the detail which disturbs me the most. The lume is not important, in the night, as the surface of the hands is reduced, and there are no luminous indices, so their utility is questionable, and aesthetically, I would have preferred full blued hands, without lume. 

A last point is the fact that with 500 pieces, it is a too big limited edition, most certainly at that level of price. 100 or 150 would have been enough, I think, especially when you keep in mind that there were 500 pieces made in rose gold, too. 

Now, the Septantième is a watch which, with time passing, I enjoy more and more, for what it is: A very elegant Reverso, with its ruthenium dial on the recto and its superb 8 days movement made in 18 Kt white gold embellished by it sensuous  swan neck, and, last but not least, its list of firsts ( 8 Days movement, White Gold movement, Grande Date, XGT case ). 

It was, with its horological qualities and its originality, a very good " anniversary watch ", for sure. And a sign of a certain era, too, since the XGT Reversos are not in the catalogue anymore, and for more than ten years now. A certain vision of Horology, by Jaeger Lecoultre.

It is not the watch from my collection which I wear the most, but each time it is on my wrist, it is a renewed love story. 

A last point I wanted to mention, here. As you know, Ginotti passed away, a few months ago. This watch came from him. He was a friend of mine. So this watch has a special taste for me, because of its provenance, and the friendship linked to this watch.

Long life to her! 

Best,

Nicolas