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amanico
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Reverso 60eme: The first of a long Saga.

Let's come back to the Reverso 60ème...

Since 1991, the Reverso landscape moved / changed a lot.

Before, the Reversos were simple watches displaying the essence of Time, the Hour, the Minute, and not always, the Second.

They also were small watches ( 38 mm long x 24 mm large ).

For its 60th Anniversary, JLC gave the Reverso a new suit, a bigger case, the now famous GT case, AND, which is even more important, offered to their iconic watch some complications: The Date and the Power Reserve, which, at this time, was a first, for a Reverso, at the exception of the Reverso Perpetual Calendar made in 1937, but it was a prototype.

So yes, we can objectively say that the Reverso 60ème is an incontrovertible watch: It launched the series of complicated Reversos as we currently know them, 20 years after.

Paradoxically, this is not the Reverso we more often speak about: Almost no text, nor pictures of it.

Why?

Because there were more spectacular Reversos, which came after?

Because it is a watch which requires time to be fully appreciated?

Both?

Let me the opportunity to demonstrate the beauty and the interest of it, in 7 pictures, and some comments.

1/ The Watch of the " Firsts ":



- First Anniversary Reverso: At this time, in 1991, we didn't know it, but since, we saw the Septantieme, in 2001, the Triptyque, in 2006, to commemorate its 75th Anniversary, and the " Huitantieme ", in 2011, which is,n in fact, the Tribute To Reverso 1931.

- First GT case, as previously mentionned.

- First Complicated Reverso: Date, and Power Reserve Indicator.

- First 14- Carat Gold movement ( Plate and Bridges ).

2/ The dimensions of the case have long time been considered as perfect:

The 60eme resolved a difficult equation: The size of the Reverso case has been enhanced, modernized, without ruining the natural elegance of the original model, born in 1931.

The numbers reveal the harmony of the watch: 42, 25 mm long, 26 mm large, and 9 mm high.

We are in presence of a Classic, a dressy and timeless watch, as a Calatrava can be.



Presence, Class, Distinction, and Sobriety.... What's not to love?

3/ The Virtues from the " Belle Horlogerie ".

No need to reach some summits of complications to be highly desirable.

The care ( obsession? ) of the detail is here, on both sides of the 60ème.

- Only noble metals:

The recto side shows a solid silver dial, while the recto face let admire the 14-Carat solid gold decorated movement:





- Refined finish:

Look at the dial: Heated blue hands, different guillochés for the main dial and the power reserve zone, applied JL Logo at 12 o'clock.

The slow beat movement ( Cal 824 ) is nicely worked: Heated blue screws, Cotes de Genève, hand made anglage and decoration, simple, sober, but definitely pleasantly made.

4/ A lovely anarchy.

When you look at the other Limited Edtion Rose Gold Reversos, you notice that the 60eme is the only one to cultivate a certain fondness for anarchy.

I mean that it is the only one to blend rectangular and curved shapes, in an asymmetrical way.

The power reserve zone eats the rectangular frame, as well as the 10 and 11 hour markers, which has also a consequence / impact on reading the date, which is all except an intuitive task, due to the very short golden hand, too.



But isn't it worth some efforts?

5/ General thoughts and conclusion.

It took me a certain time before being able to appreciate the Reverso 60eme.

I was, at the beginning, a bit disturbed by the assymetrical look of the dial, before undersstanding that it was part of its character, almost a " signature ".

With the arrival of the Septantième and the " Huitantième ", I began to wonder if I should not ALSO get the 60ème.

The bad thing is that you don't often see one for sale, as it was limited, like its other rose gold sisters, to 500 pieces, but the good thing is that it is not too highly priced.

After all, a thema around the Commemorative Reversos is not uninteresting, each of them bringing something to the original.

It could be a funny and nice way to surround this " rectangular phenomenon ".

Besides this intellectual aspect, there is something which is truly meaningful: The " in the real " test, here on the wrist of a very good friend:



The outcome?

He didn't want to take it off his wrist, which means all!

Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments,

Best.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-11-19 00:34:24 This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-11-22 21:41:44