The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in pink gold takes inspiration from the brand’s first tourbillon wristwatch – the Reverso Tourbillon – introduced thirty years ago. Equipped with the JLC Calibre 847, this magnificent timepiece also incorporates the Duoface concept, with a second time zone and a day-night indicator on the reverse dial.
At its birth in 1931 and for the first 60 years of its life, the Reverso was a time-only watch, with no added mechanical complications. Then, from 1990 onwards, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a series of exceptional Reverso models, each one featuring one of the great classical complications.
In 1993, Jaeger-LeCoultre released the Reverso Tourbillon. Not only was it the Manufacture’s first wristwatch tourbillon, it was also the first in a rectangular case and the first with a shaped movement.
The Manufacture’s expertise in tourbillons has grown steadily from that point, with its development of multi-axis tourbillons incorporating a variety of shaped balance springs. Its mastery of this regulating device was confirmed in 2009 when Jaeger-LeCoultre watches took first and second places in the International Chronometry Competition. Today, the expertise continues to expand, with the development of a series of new configurations, the most recent being in Calibre 847.
Uniting a flying tourbillon mechanism with the Duoface complication, this ultra-thin hand-wound movement comprises 254 components and measures just 3.9mm thick. To achieve this, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers had to completely rethink the tourbillon mechanism to reduce as much height as possible. As well as dispensing with the upper bridge, to which the balance wheel is normally fixed, they replaced the outer tourbillon cage with a ball-bearing system and attached the balance wheel to the centre of the tourbillon.
Normally, the hairspring would be attached to the outer tourbillon cage; however, in the absence of such a cage, a new solution was required. Jaeger-LeCoultre invented (and has patented) a unique S-shaped balance spring; one end is attached to a fixed point at the centre of the tourbillon mechanism and the other end fixed to the balance wheel. The S-shape avoids the coils of the spring touching each other and makes the spring perfectly concentric to the tourbillon, which is essential for precision.
Comprising 62 components and weighing a mere 0,455 grams, this highly sophisticated tourbillon is eloquent testimony to the Manufacture’s mastery of this regulating mechanism, as well as its status as one of the very few Manufactures to develop and produce its own hairsprings in-house.
Introduced in 1994, the Duoface concept is a unique expression of the dual time zone complication, displaying local time on the front dial and home time on the reverse. The movement must turn the two sets of hands in opposite directions in order for them to move around their respective dials in the clockwise direction and display the correct time. All settings are controlled through the crown; this not only ensures simplicity of operation for the wearer but also preserves the aesthetic unity of the case.
The front dial of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon offers an elegant yet highly distinctive presence. Capturing the spirit of the early 1930s models, the pared-down aesthetic and signature details of the Reverso Tribute dial exude refinement; the faceted hour indexes are complemented by Dauphine hands and framed by a chemin de fer minute track. These understated details, together with the subtle glow of the silver sunray-brushed front dial allow the tourbillon to take centre stage.
The reverse dial of the watch highlights partial skeletonisation and glorious decoration, including hand angling of the bridges, all executed in the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® workshop. The second time zone is indicated by golden hands and indexes on a black sunray-brushed dial, and above the dial, the night and day indicator features an exquisite starry night sky. The Gold bridges are richly textured with Clous de Paris guilloché, and blued screws provide a rich contrast with the gold.
Despite the complexity of the movement, the case is just 9.15 mm thick. This enhances the elegance and wearability of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon. In fact, it is one of the most complex cases in watchmaking, with more than 50 components including the patented slide-and-swivel mechanism that connects the case to its cradle.
Technical details
Model: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon Pink Gold
Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)
Dimensions: 45.5 X 27.4 mm; 9.15 mm thick
Calibre: Manually-wound mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibe 847
Functions: Hours, minutes, second time zone, night & day, tourbillon
Power reserve: 38 hours
Front dial: Silver sunray-brushed
Back dial: Black sunray-brushed
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q392242J
