INTRODUCING: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface Calendar
Fergus NashThe Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute was a phenomenal success. Whether that was due to the influx of luscious, colourful dials or the honouring of its 1930s heritage, there was just something about those models that struck a chord with modern audiences. Now, instead of placing safe bets and expanding their colour ranges further, Jaeger-LeCoultre have reached back into their history and retrieved a much more complicated version — the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar.
While the first Reverso Tribute excelled in its own simplicity, it’s important to remember that Jaeger-LeCoultre have a long and storied history in horological complications, often making incredible timepieces for the elite and royalty. The Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar exemplifies that side of their past, while retaining the sharper and more elegant side of their Art Deco design language we know and love. The front-facing dial features a delicate silver sunburst finish that draws attention to the pale blue moonphase display. This traditional element is situated within a pointer-date subdial, which works in conjunction with the day and month indicators above the JLC logo.
The two references hinge mostly around their respective case metals of 18k rose gold and stainless steel, however it’s not just the colour of those fencepost indices and dauphine hands that change alongside them. Flipping the head of the watch around in typical Reverso fashion reveals a whole new dial instead of just a plain caseback for engraving. What we’re presented with is a second time zone alongside a day/night indicator delivered with extra stylistic flair. This second face comes either in a smoky anthracite grey that works with nice contrast against the rose-gold case, or in a deep navy to shine alongside the steel.
As a modern watch, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar lives up to modern standards. With a width of 29.9mm, it may end up being the smallest “diameter” watch that some people own, however the lug-to-lug length of 49.4mm should comfortably fill out an average wearer’s wrist. The whole of the case is polished to enhance the lustre of their respective metals, while the ridges on both sides of the watch head add contrast, texture and overt Art Deco vibes.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar uses the Calibre 853, which manages to run both sides of the watch on its own. This hand-wound movement has a beat rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, which you could only hear and not see due to the lack of a seconds hand, and a power reserve of 42 hours that’s ample for daily wear. The straps that come with the watch are also now equipped with a quick-change system so you can adapt the accessorising to any occasion.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface Calendar pricing and availability:
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface Calendar is available now from their website here. Price: $22,700 AUD / $14,500 USD (Steel), $41,900 AUD / $26,900 USD (Gold)
| Brand | Jaeger-LeCoultre |
| Model | Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar |
| Case Dimensions | 29.9mm x 49.4mm x 10.9mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel / 18k Rose Gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Silver and Blue / Silver and Grey |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Quick-release leather in blue, black, or brown |
| Movement | Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 853 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | $22,700 AUD / $14,500 USD (Steel), $41,900 AUD / $26,900 USD (Gold) |