Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Night & Day

JAEGER-LECOULTRE GRANDE REVERSO NIGHT & DAY
Pink gold | Silver-toned dial

Origin

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the oldest – and as some say truest – watchmaking maisons in the Vallée de Joux, in the Swiss Jura mountains, producing in-house movements since 1833. Since its beginning, the brand has filed more than 400 patents and produced over 1200 calibers, also highly valued and used by other fine watchmaking brands such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin.

The brand was founded by self-taught watchmaker Antoine LeCoultre. His original workshop where he embarked on his journey over 180 years ago, is still to be visited as part of the manufacture in Le Sentier. By 1888, the manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre already employed 500 people and was referred to as the ‘Grande Maison of the Vallée de Joux’.

Some years later, in 1903, a rumor in the Swiss watch industry began circulating: the Paris-based watchmaker to the French Navy, Edmond Jaeger, was challenging Swiss manufacturers to develop and produce the ultra-thin movements that he had invented. Jacques-David LeCoultre, the founder’s grandson, accepted his challenge after having walked for hours to the nearest telephone in the Jura mountains to make a call to Paris. It turned to be a right call: the collaboration led to the thinnest watch collection in the world (equipped with LeCoultre caliber 145 that was only 1.38mm thick) and the birth of the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand.

A key date in the brand’s history, 1931 marked the birth of the iconic Reverso watch, in response to a request from British colonial officers in India who were tired of damaging their timepieces during matches. A simple gesture swivels the case in its carrier to protect the watch glass. Featuring an attractive blend of elegance and sportiness, the Reverso became a classic of the Art Deco movement.

The Watch

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Night & Day in pink gold with silver-toned dial was presented at the SIHH in 2014 and was made to be an instant classic. The case measures up to the size of the Grande Reverso, being bold on the wrist with dimensions of 46.8mm by 27.4mm.

The classic Reverso dial has black Arabic numerals and faceted baton-shaped hour and minute hands that are blued, just like the day/night pointer at 6 o’clock. This subtle indicator differentiates daytime from nighttime hours with contrasting guilloché finishes on the 6 o’clock. Day hours are showed in a swirled pattern above the 6 to 18, while a horizontal pattern on the lower half indicates the night hours. The main dial is crafted in a Clous de Paris guilloché pattern. 

The solid pink gold case-back of the watch can be personalized with engravings. The watch is water resistant to three atmospheres.

The Movement

This Grande Reverso is powered by an in-house automatic caliber 967/B in rectangular form made out of 200 components of which 28 are jewels. Its balance oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) with a power reserve of 42 hours. Every surface of the movement has been delicately finished, with perlage, Côtes de Genève, brushing and bevelled edges.

Condition

The watch is in as-new condition and has perfect mechanical functionality. It has never been worn and has not been personalised on its case-back. The watch further comes with original movement and is accompanied by all the original documents, including Jaeger-LeCoultre box and manual.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment.