Jaeger-LeCoultre - Reverso Tribute Chronograph

0 0 Monday, 27 March 2023 Edit this post

The Reverso Chronograph is back. Drawing inspiration from the first Reverso Chronograph of 1996, Jaeger-LeCoultre developed the new Calibre 860, combining a chronograph with double-sided display of the time, and housed it in the Reverso Tribute case.

The Reverso Chronographe Rétrograde - 1996

The result is the Reverso Tribute Chronograph, presented on occasion of the Watches & Wonders 2023 exhibition in Geneva.

Measuring 49.4 x 29.9 mm with a thickness of 11.14 mm, the case of the new model does not give hints of the presence of the chronograph complication except for the presence of the two push-buttons on either side of the winding crown.

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph is presented in two variations, in stainless steel (ref. Q389848J ) and in pink gold (ref. Q389257J), complemented by a blue-grey dial and a pure black dial respectively. The cool dial tone of the steel version is achieved by using an innovative ADL (atomic layer deposit) process, in which ultra-thin layers of titanium oxide are deposited.

Turning the watch case over reveals the chronograph mechanism on the reverse side.

The dial has been completely skeletonized to showcase the full complexity of the movement as well as the captivating animation of the chronograph. To create a visually cohesive look, the bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève, while the chronograph seconds and minute tracks are emphasized in black to enhance readability.

The beautifully balanced dial layout is characterised by a large chronograph seconds display in the upper part of the dial and a retrograde 30-minute indicator on an arc at the base of the dial. The time display, with its faceted baton indexes and a chemin de fer minutes track, appears to be suspended above the calibre.

The blue screws complement the blue chronograph hands, highlighting the seamless integration of movement and decoration.

The new Calibre 860 is a fully integrated hand-wound chronograph movement entirely designed, produced and assembled within the Manufacture. Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, Calibre 860 incorporates a column wheel chronograph with a horizontal clutch, which was chosen over the more familiar vertical clutch to reduce the overall thickness of the movement.

To display hours and minutes on both front and reverse dials, the movement powers two sets of hands that must move in opposite directions to indicate the time in correct clockwise fashion on both faces of the watch. Calibre 860 offers a power reserve of 52 hours, remarkable considering the high energy consumption of a retrograde chronograph combined with two time indications.

Despite the complexity of this mechanism, which includes no less than 300 components, the shaped rectangular movement is less than 12 mm thick, fully embodying Jaeger-LeCoultre's philosophy of elegance.

Each Reverso Tribute Chronograph comes with two straps featuring an interchangeable buckle for easy strap changes, which are interchangeable due to the signature feature of an interchangeable buckle. In canvas-and-leather and all-leather options, they are designed by the celebrated Argentinian polo bootmaker Casa Fagliano, adding a dash of sporty sophistication while reconnecting the Reverso to its roots in the world of polo.

The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph has a price, excluding VAT or local sales taxes, of Euro 20,000 in stainless steel or Euro 35,000 in pink gold. jaeger-lecoultre.com