2015 Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931
Ref.
Q2788570
A Reverso with a gorgeous black dial, an ultra thin case, and the JLC 822 hand-wound movement.
The story of the Reverso began in the late 1920s when British officers stationed in India requested a watch that could withstand the rigors of playing polo. In response, the watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre ingeniously created a hinged sliding mechanism that allowed the mid case to flip over, safely protecting the watch face during play. While it was built to handle the rough and tumble of the game, the design of the Reverso remained elegant and simple, with decorative lines, streamlined contours, and a minimalist aesthetic that has stood the test of time.
In 2011, 80 years after its creation, Jaeger-LeCoultre began paying homage to the design of the 1931 Reverso through a series of Tribute models that bore the same sword hands, dart indices, and simple “Reverso” branding. The example here with a black dial was the first release, and has subsequently become the most popular for its faithfulness to the original. Despite the enlarged dimensions, Jaeger-LeCoultre managed to recreate its vintage charm through a restrained dial, faux-aged lume, and an ultra thin 7.4mm case. The result is a truly stunning watch, and hands down one of the best modern Reversos ever made.
Case: The stainless steel case shows normal wear in the form of a few hairlines, light scratches, and tiny nicks. The lugs are nice and thick and retain excellent contouring. The reverse side of the case is fairly clean with only hairlines and faint scuffing present. The condition of the caseback is consistent with the rest of the watch, and the brushed finishing is well-preserved. The model and serial number engravings remain sharp and legible.
Dial, Hands, & Crystal: The black dial and polished sword hands are in fantastic condition with no notable imperfections and fully functioning Super-LuminNova. The sapphire crystal has a tiny scratch near the 8 o'clock hour marker, but otherwise remains clean.
Bracelet/Strap: The JLC alligator strap shows wear in the form of light staining and creasing to the leather backing. The leather backing near the lugs has come un-glued, but the stitching remains intact and the strap is still wearable. The buckle has normal wear, and the engraved JLC logo remains crisp and detailed.
Timing: The watch has been measured with a timegrapher at six different positions. The rate, amplitude, and beat error are within acceptable ranges. While resting face up, the rate is +5s/d
.
Functions: All functions including the crown winding and time setting are working as expected.
Service History: Unknown.
Diameter : 27.4 mm
Condition : Good
Box/Papers : Both