Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Steel

Quick specs Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Steel
Price: approx. $ 139,000 | approx. € 130.000 | approx. £ 105,000 | approx. CHF 120’000
Size: 45.5 x 27.4 mm
Reference: Q392845J

The tourbillon version of one of the most renewed and vintage styled watches is now available in stainless steel with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Steel. The first tourbillon on a Reverso was launched in 1993 with the Caliber 170, and the first Duoface was launched in 1994. The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon was launched in 2018, with a new Caliber 847.

Let’s take a quick look at the name first. It is a Reverso because you can reverse the case. It is also a Tribute because the design goes back to the first Reverso from 1931. And it is a Duoface because the watch has two faces, as you can read the time on both sides of the watch.

New execution after platinum and pink gold

The 2018 Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon version with reference Q3926480 is from platinum. This one was followed by the reference Q392242J from 2023 in pink gold, which is still available. And now this reference Q392845J comes in stainless steel. All these Jaeger Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon watches are priced around 100 to 140k.

Of course, the main attraction is the tourbillon, although reversing the case is still a feature to show others as well. The tourbillon here is a flying tourbillon, almost all tourbillons are, as it is only supported from underneath. So, on the front it optically “flies”, there is no upper bridge. But here, the watch has a dial on both sides which gives a challenge in order to mount the tourbillon in an attractive way.

Two dials, a recto and a verso

The terms “recto” and “verso” originate from the Latin words rectus, meaning “right” or “straight”, and versus meaning “turned”. JLC uses these terms to indicate the dial on the front and the dial on the back. The dial on the front, recto, is sunray grey with steel colored Dauphine hands and applied hour markers. The tourbillon gets the most attention here.

However, if you flip the case, verso, there is a lot going on. First, there is a second time zone, indicated on the white sub dial. The minutes are in sync with the minutes on the front, the hours are adjustable. A part of the main dial is open-worked, with a day/night indicator at the right top. The tourbillon is mounted on a huge, polished bridge with prominent blued screws, and it also indicates the running seconds.

Hand-made Clous de Paris guilloché dial

Where the recto is subtle, the verso has bridges that are richly textured with Clous de Paris guilloché. In English it is a hobnail pattern applied by a decorative engraving technique. Artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre use a 100-year-old hand-operated lathe to engrave this pattern in 6 “rounds” each applying 232 grooves.

It all integrates smoothly with each other, the decorations, the second time zone on the clear dial and the 62-component tourbillon weighing less than 0.5 grams. And the stainless steel gives it more contemporary looks than the more classic pink gold.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Steel has a power reserve of 38 hours

The movement of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Steel is the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 847AA. Fully wound it has a power reserve of 38 hours. The watch comes with two straps. A grey interchangeable calfskin leather strap, hand-made by the Argentinian atelier Fagliano. And an additional black alligator leather strap. Both with stainless steel double folding buckle.

As said, the price of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon is between 100 and 140k depending on your currency. It’s an estimation as JLC has not confirmed this.