I have been eying the Reverso for years because it’s a timeless piece dating back to 1931 and holds a lot of history for the brand. But it was primarily the vintage models for me, thanks to their smaller size and sleeker appearance. Everything changed three years ago, when the Swiss watchmaker introduced the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in rose gold. It had all I needed from a dress-looking watch like that. And then, a year ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a Reverso with an all-gold treatment and a hand-woven Milanese link bracelet. Not only does it elevate the look, but oh boy, the bracelet itself is something else.
So in the meantime, whilst all we watch nerds are waiting to see what kind of novelties the Swiss watchmaker will introduce at the upcoming Watches & Wonders fair, I decided to spend some time with this model on my wrist.
While it is considered a dress watch these days, the Reverso was originally created as one of the first sports watches, a solution for British officers in India to prevent breaking the glass on their watches during polo matches. Adopting the design codes of the Art Deco movement, the Reverso has become an icon over the years, with many variations, including models with a second dial on the back (double-face models).
This model blends modern refinement with the elegance that has defined the Reverso for nearly a century. The case measures 45.6mm by 27.4mm with a slim profile of 7.6mm and comes with a dial that respects the simplicity of the original 1930s design, with a golden matte finish combined with a grained texture. Like other models in the series, this watch is manually wound and delivers a power reserve of 42 hours. Water resistance is 30 meters, allowing it to be worn daily without worry.
But how does the watch wear and feel on the wrist? First of all, thanks to the Milanese bracelet, the watch fits top-notch. Its adjustable sliding clasp ensures a perfect fit, no matter your wrist size, and it balances the weight of the gold case much better than a regular stiff leather strap. At the same time, it dials back the formality and adds a subtle, vintage-inspired touch.
From a personal point of view, the Reverso looks absolutely stunning, bringing warmth whether it’s a sunny day or one of the gloomy days, like here in Copenhagen. And with this bracelet, it works effortlessly for any occasion, worn as a dress watch at the office, casual but still feeling creative, or even as a sporty option. It could easily become your primary watch.
I can imagine getting a watch like this for a special occasion and using the back for a custom engraving, as a small note to remind me of the moment. Maybe after my exhibition? What a gift to myself that would be! Yet, I still need to decide if it would be this model or the model from the 90s that we featured in this article.
If you’ve never had a Reverso on your wrist, visit one of the JLC boutiques and give it a try. It’s really worth it. This watch comes with history, a great design and a manual movement inside, making it an interesting piece on every level.
Becoming a watch nerd?
- Dial – also known as the face, is a big part of a watch’s personality and the portion of the watch that displays the time, or any other indicators, such as date, day, moon phase etc.
- Jaeger-LeCoultre – JLC, in short, the Swiss watchmaker, was founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in the Vallée de Joux, becoming the region’s first true Manufacture by bringing every aspect of watchmaking under one roof. In 1844, LeCoultre invented the Millionomètre, at the time the most precise measuring instrument in watchmaking, along with a keyless system for winding and setting watches. In 1903, a collaboration between Jacques-David LeCoultre and French watchmaker Edmond Jaeger brought together Swiss technical expertise and French design, and the company later adopted the name Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1937. Over the years, the Maison has developed thousands of calibres and registered hundreds of patents, earning a reputation for serious technical know-how. Models such as the Reverso remain one of the most recognisable and well-designed watches ever made.
- Manual-winding movement – the manual (or mechanical) watch movement is the oldest movement, that is completely driven by the mainspring, which is wound by hand.
- Milanese bracelet – Milanese link bracelet, intricately woven into a mesh known as pezza (Italian for “cloth”) and hand-soldered link by link.
- Movement – can be automatic/self-winding, manual winding or quartz and is what keeps the watch going.
- Novelties – new products released by a brand
- Power reserve – how long the watch can show you the time when it’s not on your wrist.
- Reverso – A watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre. This model was not the first reversible case design. A few years earlier, Universal Genève was already offering its Le Cabriolet model, also in a rectangular case, though based on a different principle. What set the Reverso apart, introduced in 1931, was its sliding case mechanism, originally designed to protect the dial during polo matches. Over time, that practical solution became a design signature, and in later developments, some Reverso models introduced a double-face design, allowing two dials on one watch. Today, the Reverso stands less as a sports watch and more as a design icon, still rooted in its original idea.
- Watches & Wonders – W&W in short, is the luxury watch industry’s preeminent annual event, a watch fair, showcasing new releases from over 50 top brands.
- Water resistance – refers to a watch’s ability to withstand exposure to water without damage. It is measured in meters (m), atmospheres (ATM), or bars, indicating the depth or pressure the watch can endure. However, these measurements are theoretical and don’t always equate to actual diving depths. 30m (3 ATM): Splash-proof, suitable for everyday use but not for swimming. 50m (5 ATM): Safe for showering or light swimming. 100m (10 ATM): Suitable for swimming and snorkelling. 200m+ (20 ATM or more): Ideal for professional diving or water sports.
