ajlc
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Puzzled by 976
Don't get me wrong. It's very pretty. And I am keen to see more simple, dressy watches. But it is taller/wider than an XGT, and just as thick, and yet does less?
It has only a 44 hour autonomy, a derivative of the Hometime autotractor. Sort of a Reverso Grande Auto with the rotor removed. Why the full or 3/4 plate--fresh air below, or cost reasons preclude some nice bridges? The design (and its finish) is pure, clean (symmetric) time-only simple design, and you get a sturdy, leading edge movement.
But still I wonder why not a bit more, some new advance?
I am very pleased that when VC came out with the 4400 caliber to replace the 1400 they upped the PR to 65 hours (in the new time-only VC Patrimony, the hit of SIHH for me, a great movement, although that aesthetic also suffers from lack of bridges--who am I to disagree with Kari V.? 
).
Surely JLC could if they want take an autotractor, strip the rotor, (or even scale up a Reverso GT/MUT movement) give it some high finish bridge work, amp it up to 65 hours PR to beat the VC, and have something with a free sprung balance and elegant bridges to outwit the AP 3090, and still squeeze into a 38mm round or GT case for elegance?
Well, I can dream... There's always next year.
SIHH 2009: The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso watches!
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...
Yummy new Reversos
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 hobn...
Interesting "grande and slim"
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 unaesthe...
Not sure
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 small...
Not such a big challenge
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 rectang...
A slim Grand Reverso is a good move
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...
In complete agreement!
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
I share your enthusiasm for the Grande Reverso
And more specially, for the 976. which I slightly prefer to the Duo Date. A simple but elegant dial, nice proportions, and a nicely finished movement. I was surprised positively surprised, to see this new Reverso. On the duo Date, the Double guillochage (...
Prayers do get answered...
thanks thanks thanks... SO looking forward to seeing and trying these beauties in the metal. It seems that these Reversos were never going to be strapped on my wrist for some strange reason. They were either ... or .... Now it seems that indeed, my prayer...
Great report!
I do like the thickness of the Grande models, but yes, this new model's proportions looks quite nice indeed! I am still waiting for a standard perpetual calandar Reverso or even just a humble calandar Reverso (without the grande complication).
How about a regulateur?
Having just read Anthony's great report on Montblanc's Montblanc Villeret 1858 Grand Chronographe Regulateur, it reminds me that I have been hoping to see a Reverso regulateur, not necessarily with any other complications, but just a simple, elegant regul...
Thanks Jérôme. May I add my pics ? Part I : Duodate
Honestly, I was a bit afraid at the beginning because I'm not convinced at all by the Squadra. But with the Grande Reverso, JLC managed to create big and slender watches. Fr.Xavier...
Part II : Grande Reverso 976
Again, big and slender. Nice dial and the finishings of the caliber are OK. Fr.Xavier This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-01-26 12:18:08...
Sizes
The new 976 is 46.5 x 29.5 x 12 mm which is still pretty big and thick in my book. More Panerai than Patek. 986 is bigger lengthwise and widthwise, but shallower 52 x 31.3 x 11 mm. On the 986 I think 52mm is too large And on the 976 the 12mm depth is also...
Strange
Hi, Are you sure of the 12mm for the 976 thickness? That's not the impression I had! Cheers Dje
From the JLC website
These are the official published sizes. Both watches are big in every dimension. You really are talking Panerai sizes.
i just got confirmation by JLC
Hi LeChef, I have good news. I just got confirmation by JLC that the real thickness is 9.7mm for the 976 and 11mm for the 986. It's more coherent with what we've seen and with my impressions. It's more logical too. Apparently the information on Le Club se...
Thanks!
What I can't find is how the 976 986 compare dimensionally to the current XGT sized models.
I absolutely agree with you on the Grand Date thickness, Dje.
I was always impressed by this piece but when I had the chance of wearing one last October I reached the same conclusion as yours – too thick for a dress watch. Marcelo
Never owned a Reverso but....
The duodate is very beautiful an perfect for everyday and travelling.I like the grainy back very much.I remember being very excited about the squadra a few years back,but disappointed when I saw it in metal(those things are gigantic).So lets see if this o...
Puzzled by 976
Don't get me wrong. It's very pretty. And I am keen to see more simple, dressy watches. But it is taller/wider than an XGT, and just as thick, and yet does less? It has only a 44 hour autonomy, a derivative of the Hometime autotractor. Sort of a Reverso G...
Not so simple
Hi ajlc, It's taller/wider than a XGT, but thinner ! The 822 (Gt) / 849 (ultra thin) calibres are more old style and full of charm indeed, but slower-beating. Plus it's not so easy to increase the size of a calibre. It's indeed easier to create a new brid...
2nd time zone
Hi great report, really liked the look of the Duo date, especially the home time dial. Is the 986 essential a Duo in a bigger case and is it able to display two time zones - one on each dial? If so how does one set the second time zone? There doesn't seem...
Price for
Thanks for this great post! I love the new sizes as I think the Grande GMT (which I really love) is a bit bulky for my taste. These are probably more subtile. You mention an expected price for the 976, do you know it for the 986 as well? And, when are the...
Thank you for your comments
Hi, Unfortunately I don't have other prices for the time being, but I've asked for a price list. Hopefully…… So far no information about when they'll arrive! Certainly this year J and hopefully not too late! Cheers Dje De : www watchprosite [[Email addr...
Any Price Updates?
Hi all, Thanks for all the comments. Good to read threads with comments from collectors. Jerome, Do you have any updates of the 986? Wow, I'm torn. I will need to make a beeline for the Raffles Hotel boutique in Singapore. Will update you all of my impres...
Sorry no update
Hi, I've asked for a price list of the new watches but not everything is definitely settled yet so we have to wait ! Please let us know when you have seen them. Cheers Dje
976 vs current Grande Taille
Hi all, what do you think of the 976 compared to the current Grande Taille? I'm considering getting a Reverso, and I really like those two, their simple dials are really appealing. Their price is very similar too. I've tried the Grande Taille and it's siz...
depending on wrist size
Hi Sunbeam, I'm currently wearing my Reverso GT. I find the size perfect. On the contrary I'd be happy to wear a larger sized (and similarly thick) Reverso that would be more easily readable and that would sport a more modern calibre. I like the 976 size ...
Solid back
Thanks for your reply! I don't find the GT too small, but since I haven't tried the 976 I have some doubts regarding which one I like more. I'd have preferred a plain back too in case of the 976, that's what really makes the decision hard. Regards
Fabulous post Jerome!
I agree with (what seems like) most other people here. I don't quite 'get' the 3/4 plate. I'd have preferred a solid back which could be engraved. Concerning the Duodate, I absolutely love the guilloche patterns on the front, and the grain finish on the r...
You worked well
Nice work on the pic ! I agree on your points. You should indeed try it, the Duodate is really a large watch; Cheers Dje