Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille, 1990s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Though the Reverso might have first brought to life as a sports watch, over the years collectors have come to associate it primarily a dress watch. Its distinctive Art Deco silhouette, though born from necessity (if anything associated with the princely sport of polo can be considered necessary), is recognizable and indicative of its owner’s discerning taste. As with its rectangular cousin, the Cartier Tank, wearing a watch in any shape other than round says not only “I have good taste,” but also, “I know watches.” And when a Reverso is crafted out of solid gold, that impression is only amplified. True, the Reverso was first offered in steel, but when its popularity as a dress watch began to build after its introduction in the 1930s, JLC offered it in gold as well. In fact, in late 1931 and early 1932, a limited number of Reversos were made in white and yellow gold and then sold to Patek Philippe (on whose board Jacques-David LeCoultre served). The Reverso would undergo a fallow period starting in the 1940s, as tastes in post-war Europe shifted back to round watches… but not for long. In the 1970s, an Italian watch dealer spotted some Reverso cases while on a trip to the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture in Le Sentier. Convinced that the time was ripe for a revival, JLC re-released the Reverso using quartz movements with limited success. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that the model enjoyed a full resurgence. The 1991 release of the Reverso 60ème marked the first time the watch featured complications—in this case, a power reserve indicator. And the watch was, fittingly, in bright, beautiful 18k gold. Moreover, the Reverso 60ème, with its larger case, inaugurated the Grande Taille line of Reverso. This particular Reverso, dating from the 1990s, is a Grande Taille Reference 270.1.62. While retaining the elegant Art Deco lines of gold Reversos from the model's golden years, the size was updated to 42mm in length; additionally, an improved movement gives the watch an impressive 45-hour power reserve. With a virgin case back (never engraved) and crisp silver dial with Arabic markers and blued steel hands, this particular example is the perfect blend of vintage and modern, as well as being the ultimate dress watch alternative for the sporting collector.