Pre-SIHH 2016 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic and Reverso Classic Large Duo

Earlier this week, we showed some first anniversary editions of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso – because yes, the old lady celebrates its 85th birthday this year… making it one of the oldest watches with a continuous production, and thus, one of the most iconic timepiece (and luxury object) available. If these new introductions were focused on heritage, Jaeger-LeCoultre also renewed the more modern, classic editions – the ones with automatic movements. Here are the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic and Reverso Classic Large Duo to be introduced at the SIHH 2016.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Automatic

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic is certainly the most classical, timeless edition of the collection. For the 85th anniversary of this model, the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture offers a facelift and some technical improvements. Previously, this Reverso Classic was available with a plain dial and a manual movement. The SIHH 2016 editions of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic now feature an automatic movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 965 that offers 38 hours of power reserve – and the daily benefit of not having to wind your watch. However, even if automatic (meaning it has a rotor on the top), it still remains thin at 4.02mm. It simply displays the hours and minutes.

The design of this Reverso Classic also undergoes some slight evolutions. First, it is now available in 3 sizes – small (34 mm x 21 mm) but with a quartz movement, medium (40 mm x 24.4 mm x 9.0 mm) and large (45.6 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.7 mm), both with the automatic movement. The art-deco style is always present, with this rectangular case, the gadroons, the straight Arabic numerals and the specific minute track. However, Jaeger-LeCoultre emphasizes this antique feel with a textured dial, with a guilloché centre and a vertical-brushed exterior. The back of the case is plain, to leave some space for a personalized engraving.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Large Duo

This second edition is more luxurious and more complicated. First, it’s only available in the large size (47 mm x 28.3 mm) and with a 18k pink gold case. Then, as indicated in its name, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Large Duo features the DuoFace concept. The first and main face uses the same design as the other Reverso Classic, with the guilloché and brushed patterns, together with straight Arabic numerals. In addition to the hours and minutes, it features a day-and-night indicator at 6.

Once the case flipped, you’ll discover a second dial, here in black and with a “clou de Paris” pattern, that displays a second time-zone (acting like the home time dial, while the main dial will act like the local time dial, making this watch a real traveler’s watch). An interesting feature is that this second dial is opened in its centre, to reveal the oscillating weight of the movement. This dial is much different in its design, not only because of the black color, but also because of the shape of the indexes and hands. The indexes are designed in a sun-ray shape, in white and filled with luminous material, just like the hands. The minute track is also round instead of being rectangular on the front dial. Not only you’ll benefit from a dual-time watch but you’ll also enjoy two watches in one: a dressier one with the classical look and bright dial and a sportier one, with black dial and larger indexes and hands.

Prices for these editions are not yet revealed but due for the SIHH 2016. We’ll go back on these watches in upcoming hands-on in January, once the Geneva fair started. More on www.jaeger-lecoultre.com.