Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and let me tell you, it’s a rabbit hole. Today, I wanna talk about my little project trying to recreate the look of the Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Reverso Tribute Monoface. Yeah, that super classy, kinda art deco watch that flips around. Fancy, right?
First off, I did some digging on this Reverso thing. Turns out, it was made way back in the 1930s. Some polo players wanted a watch that wouldn’t get smashed up during their games, and bam, the Reverso was born. You flip the watch face, and it’s protected. Pretty neat idea, huh? It’s got this whole “I turn around” vibe from the name, which is kinda cool when you think about it.
Getting Started With the Project
So, I started looking at pictures, reading about its history, you know, the usual stuff. I found out this new Reverso Tribute Monoface is supposed to be close to the original size from the 30s. And the price? A cool $8,900. Ouch. That’s way out of my league, but hey, a guy can dream, right? Also, I found a book that is just about Reverso’s 90th birthday. Oh, man!
The Process
I started by sketching out some designs, trying to capture that classic look. I played around with different materials. I mean, I’m not using gold or anything, but I wanted something that felt solid and looked decent. It was a lot of trial and error. Let me tell you, there were moments I thought, “What am I even doing?” But I kept at it.
I also looked into what makes the Reverso tick, no pun intended. It’s not just about the flipping case, it’s the whole aesthetic. The clean lines, the simple dial, it all adds up. I even compared it to some other fancy watches, like this VC Americaine and a Patek Philippe Gondolo. I just wanted to see what else had that ‘X factor’, you know?
But let’s be real. This is just a fun little project. I’m not a watchmaker, and I don’t have the fancy tools or the skills. But I enjoyed the process. I learned a lot about watch design, about the history of this iconic piece. It made me appreciate the real deal even more. By the way, someone told me that JLC watches are good investments and keep their value, especially some models. What do you think?
Reflections
At the end of the day, I ended up with something that kinda, sorta, looks like a Reverso. It’s not perfect, not even close. But it’s mine. I made it. And that’s pretty satisfying. It’s like, I took this iconic design and made it my own, in a way. I wear it sometimes, just around the house, and it makes me smile. I think this proves I’m finally mature enough to wear a Reverso, even if it’s not the real deal. Not just mature, not old, you know what I mean? And honestly, it surprisingly goes well with jeans, sneakers, and a polo shirt. I mean, it’s originally a sports watch, right? Just from 1931.
This whole thing got me thinking, maybe one day I’ll get a real Reverso. But for now, I’m happy with my little imitation. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the finer things in life. You just need a little creativity, some patience, and a willingness to give it a go. I think the Reverso would be great in a two-watch collection, you know, for everyday wear. But you’d also need something tough, like a G-Shock maybe, for when things get rough. ‘Cause the Reverso only has 3 bar water resistance.
So, yeah, that’s my story about trying to imitate the JLC Reverso Tribute Monoface. It was a fun ride, and who knows, maybe it’s just the beginning of my watchmaking adventures. What do you think of the Reverso? Is it on your dream watch list?
Click to consult