Jaeger-LeCoultre

blomman Mr Blue
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Reverso Gran’ Sport Duo

In 1998 JLC launched the Reverso Gran’ Sport series.  The series didn’t last very long and is not very much spoken of at this forum or anywhere else for that mater. In the Manufacture’s book of timepieces 2004/2005 issue was the last time the RGS series was present, in the 2006 issue it was gone.  

All models where available in SS or YG, white or dark grey front dial, black rubber strap or metal link with double folding clasp. They all hade integrated strap and the case have a more rounded shape than the classic Reverso line. The rubber strap is changeable in length (2 x 2,5mm), metal link (2 x 4mm).

The four different models were:

RGS Automatique

Front: Hour, minute, centre seconds, date.

Back: Solid case back.

Cal 960R, automatic, power reserve ~44h.

RGS Chronographe

Front: Hour, minute, centre seconds, date, stop/start chronograph shutter.

Back: 60 second and retrograde 30 minute counters.

Cal 859, manually wound, power reserve ~44h.

RGS Lady

Front: Hour, minute, small seconds, day/night indicator.

Back: Second time zone, day/night indicator and not to forget 32 diamonds J

Cal 864, manually wound, power reserve ~50h.

RGS Duo  43 x 31 x 11,5 (incl. lugs, crown and back), 32 x 27,5 x 9 (only the reverso part)

Front: Hour, minute, small seconds, date, 24h indicator.

Back: Second time zone, 24h indicator.

Cal 851, manually wound, power reserve ~45h.

The last one is the one I have any experience of, so that’s the one I will present here.

When the RGS series came it was a fairly large watch, and also one of the largest Reverso.

This was before the Reverso Grand (2004) and the Reverso Squadra (2006) came along.

As you can see from the line up of calibres the RGS’s are engineered with very fine and delicate movements.

RGS Duo

The dials are very detailed and lavish performed. Full of small details that takes time to appreciate, but if they weren’t there you would miss them, like a lost friend. One dark, one bright, pointy hands and fine lines all over the dials in both round and square patterns. The grey side with small red details and the date over lapsing “5”, brilliant! Two circular patterns, 24h and seconds. The white side with the JLC logo in an arc, two grey circles connected, surrounded by a thin line pattern beautiful!

The shape is more round then the classic Reverso. Good or bad? A matter of personal taste, I like it but in the long run I prefer the classic. Four lugs on each side give it a very special and characteristic look and also a bigger look. On the back of the watch there are two arced rails with space in between too let air in so the watch won’t stick to your skin.

The functions; hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24h indicator and second time zone. The second time zone sets buy the push button next to the crown and the date is set buy a push trigger on the side of the watch. Both of them are single direction, you may only add on, if you miss, you have to go all the way around again…

The rubber strap has a good stiffness and steadiness than for example the tropical strap. The buckle is actually a very fine piece of engineering. Double folding clasps, adjustable in length and the JLC logo in the centre – beautiful! The new bracelets have the similar system. 

When it comes to the case, my feeling is that JLC have put much more effort in this one than the Reverso Squadra Home Time – but that’s only my personal feeling I get when I look at the details and how solid the two different watches feels.

While the Classic GT feels little too small, both the RG GMT and the Squadra Home time feels a bit too big on my 18 cm wrist.

The problem is that what feels good and what looks good doesn’t match in this case. While the RGS Duo feels good, it looks kind of small in today’s watch fashion.

Too me this watch despite its delicate look is a tool watch, she has been with me hiking, fishing, diving, running, to the gym, … Of course she bears marks after wearing but there has never been any problems! J