Jaeger-LeCoultre

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.  

 

The series was presented as a response of the modern people’s way of life. Built for an active lifestyle, water resistant down to 50m and came with rubber strap or metal link. 

 

 

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.

 

 

To wear the RGS Duo is a great feeling! For me it’s actually the perfect size, feelwis J

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

 

 

I must confess that I don’t give the RGS Duo as much wrist time as she deserves, haven’t worn her regularly in several years, but still  she is very dear to me!

 

Back in 2002 when I got her, I would have give her 8 out of 10 stars, but now she only gets 5 stars in my book, sorry.

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

Best

 

Blomman

This message has been edited by blomman on 2010-03-15 09:54:46

I really appreicate your posting your thoughts and photos of this much neglected JLC from the not so distant past.  Your comments are very insightful, and I think it is a great addition to have this photo essay for the on-line record here. 

Within the Gran Sport line, I have only seriously thought about the Gran' Sport Chronograph model for myself.  There is one available for a long time now in a watch store not far from me and I have tried it on a couple of times.  It would be the poor man's version of the Reverso Chronographe a Retrograde from the 1990's anniversary collection in RG of which Nicolaj has a beautiful example in his collection. While a very nice piece, with a brilliant and I think very underrated movement inside, the Gran Sport Chrono lost something when JLC created this sporty version of the retrograde chronograph in Reverso format.  The original chrono from the anniversary set is much dressier, more elegant and more refined for several obvious reasons. I could accept the smaller size in such an elegant watch, whereas, I agree with you that the Gran Sport  Reversos are a tad small by today's standards especially for a sports watch and for someone with large wrists.  And yet, in the absence of one of the anniversary retrograde chronographs, I have sometimes wondered if the Gran Sport Chronograph, by offering that virtually identical (to the cal. 829) movement at a much smaller cost, might serve as an acceptable substitute...

Still, these Gran Sports are an interesting chapter in the JLC history.  I think they preceded and led up to the real achievement JLC has had with its Master Compressor series and the Squadras. Notwithstanding the polo heritage of the Reverso, JLC has really come into its own during the past decade in terms of becoming a great sports watch manufacturer.

Thanks again for sharing your Gran Sport Duo with us.

Best,

respo

I had you in mind when I wrote it, actually I had another watch in mind to write about, but when you asked I thought I should write some about the RGS.

 

 

I know this will not be the most popular post at this forum, but as you say, it is a neglected piece of JLC history! In my opinion actually a very important part as well. A lot of what JLC learned while developing the RGS line has been input to their more recent achievements!  Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Best

 

Blomman

I like the pairing of the rear shots of the RGS and Squadra HT (right?) -- it shows the lineage, even the development of the rubber straps/bracelets.

That is very kind of you to say that you had me in mind when you composed the post.  I appreciate your opinions as I know what a deep collection of JLCs you have and your experience with these watches.

One of these days I am going to find my perfect Reverso...

Warm regards,

respo

That is the RSHT.

 

When you find your perfect Reverso – please let me know!

I am still searching…

 

Best

 

Blomman

Especially by the Chronograph, with its retrograde complication, but at this moment, it was priced a bit high, while now, it is a bargain.

Like you, I appreciated a lot the Sport Design on these 2 Reversos, and the very nice finish of the dials.

I took another way, indeed, but they are not too far from me, as I offered to my wife ( WEll, she asked me when she saw it ) the Gran Sport Lady:



Thanks for this very nice post, Blomman, and for having reminded us this lovely Reverso!

Best,

Nikcolas

I sometimes feel that we all, me included, always are looking ahead of our self.

What is next?!!  What will JLC do next?!! Instead of taking the time to appreciate what JLC already have achieved!

That is why I enjoy all your reviews of vintage and semi-vintage watches over and over again.

To remind us all, why we are addicted to JLC watches in the first place…

 

Best

 

Blomman

There are 2 things here, when you say " What is next " ?

It can be understood as " what JLC will create ", and what JLC has already released we don't already have ".

.I have some dreams in the first category, and a wish list in the 2d...



But in both cases, it doesn't prohibit me to enjoy what I already have...I miust be really addict!

Best,

Nicolas

Those two lists could be very long, especially the second one…

Addicted – aren’t we all…? J

 

Best

 

Blomman

The Gran' Sport had a tourneau-shaped case, so it wasn't true to the original (whereas the Squadras are true to the original patent application), so I think this as much as anything else was the main reason for its downfall.

However, like the Autotractor, there were technical characteristics presented within the Gran' Sports that would find themselves in other JLC products later:

(1) the adjustable clasp on the bracelet

(2) the adjustable clasp on the strap (though JLC didn't use it on the Squadra flat rubber strap - and I think they should have - but don't count it out of JLC production forever. These things have a way of reappearing, later.

(3) the first automatic movement for a Reverso (shaped automatic movement). Although this was a variation on the 960, which was first used in the now hibernating Lady Master Control, the shaped auto movement would be the springboard for the Grande Automatic and Squadra Hometime (both Autotractors), as well as the Chrono and SWC.

(4) first water-resistant Reverso: 50 meters (the curve of the gasket at the corners was ALWAYS the weak point). All Squadras are now 50 meter water resistant.

The Chrono version was a slightly less technical variation of the LE version of the Reverso Grande Taille series, and was beautiful, nonetheless. This may be one of the MOST underated watches, from a purists standpoint EVER.

-Dean

For your insightful points!

 

Best

 

Blomman

however my "own" preference would not go for Reverso with rubber strap simply because it seems to me they are not well matched.

my 2-cent worth view.

stefan This message has been edited by Stefan on 2010-03-16 08:15:48

Especially if you think about the classic line, but on the sport one it’s almost impossible to have a leather strap or link

– if you want to use the watch as a sports watch that is...

 

Thank you for your two cents J

 

Best

 

Blomman

yes, I just recall that Tag Huer has lalso auched the Tiger wood Quartz Sports Watch which also use rubber strap.

actually it looks quite nice too.

but maybe my mindset about reverso also links to classic look

stefan

 

When it was released, long time ago,  I really considered the idea of buying the Chronograph version. A very special machine with two beautiful faces and a wonderful engine, what else?

I had the impulse also about the GS Lady. What I loved about it was its sport side with the "luxury touch" given by the diamonds.

 

Thanks for sharing your pics and words.

 

 

Vte

As you can see when you look at my collection, a lot of my watches have been bought on impulse

– that’s why the collection diverse so much. J

 

Best

 

Blomman

...JLC certainly has something for each of those.
N

The problem is how to resist them… J

 

Best

 

Blomman