An Iconic Dress Watch Is Going Back to Its Roots in the Best Way

JLC’s latest Reverso takes direct inspiration from the original 1931 models.

Published September 27, 2024

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The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has worn a couple of different hats over the course of its near-century-long history.

Originally launched in 1931 as one of the first dedicated sports watches, the aptly named Reverso was intended for polo players and featured a revolutionary case that could be rotated 180 degrees in order to protect the crystal from impact while playing the equestrian sport.

As styles evolved and sports watches became bigger, more robust and, well, sportier, the Reverso became highly regarded as a dress watch thanks to its timeless Art Deco-inspired looks. It currently ranks as one of the most iconic dress watches ever made, alongside the Cartier Tank, Rolex Day-Date and Patek Philippe Calatrava.

Today, JLC makes dozens of Reverso variations in various sizes, colors, materials and complications, but the brand’s latest is the closest to the original 1930s watches we’ve seen in some time.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface

$8,900 at Jaeger-LeCoultre

Back to Basics

The newest addition to the Reverso family is the Reverso Tribute Monoface. In JLC parlance, “Monoface” refers to the fact that the watch has just one dial, while the reverse side features a plain caseback — just like on the original 1930s models. “Duoface” Reversos feature a unique dial on each side.

Prior to this new release, the brand’s current catalog already contained 20 Reverso Monofaces, all of which were either in the female-aimed 35.78 x 21mm case size or the oversized 45.6 x 27.4mm. There were also a few in the ‘tweener size of 40.1 x 20mm, but these were the most feminine of all with quartz movements and diamonds surrounding the dial.

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch with the case flipped around — As a “Monoface,” JLC’s latest Reverso has a sterile caseback when the dial is turned over.

The new Reverso Tribute Monoface introduces a new case size of 40.1 x 24.4mm to the lineup, which JLC says was directly inspired by the original Reverso from 1931, which measured 38 x 24mm. Why JLC didn’t just directly copy those dimensions, I’m not sure, but in any case, the Reverso Tribute Monoface is now the closest Reverso you can get to those classic dimensions, while also slotting in the model’s lineup as the perfect unisex size.

The size isn’t the only thing that Reverso purists are going to like about the new Monoface, either. There’s no quartz movement inside, with JLC fitting the watch with a proper Calibre 822 hand-wound movement.

Its dial eschews the more familiar Arabic numeral indices in favor of sword-like baton indices reminiscent of the very first Reverso models, though in this case they’re applied and rhodium-plated rather than printed. The dauphine hands also mimic those seen on 1931 models, as do the dial’s railway minute track and the case’s trademark gadroons.

Jaeger LeCoultre watch on a mans wrist — With sizing and styling both inspired by the very first Reversos from 1931, the Reverso Tribute Monoface is arguably the most faithful version of this iconic watch currently available.

The watch is available in two styles: One with a silvered opaline dial and tan strap, and another with a sunray blue dial and matching blue band. Both calfskin leather straps are designed by legacy bootmaker Casa Fagliano and feature dual smooth and Saffiano finishes.

Finally, JLC has opted to make the Reverso Tribute Monoface in stainless steel rather than gold, making it one of the most affordable Reverso models available today. (Outside of quartz models, there’s just one mechanical reference that’s $150 cheaper.)

Both colors are available now with an SRP of $8,900.