Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) introduced the Reverso Tribute Geographic during Watches and Wonders held in Geneva during 1st – 7th April. A new interpretation of a world time watch, it features a patented Grande date design on the front dial, and the world time display on the reverse dial. It is available in steel and pink gold.
Key Features
Functions
Front or recto dial
Left: Steel version (same as header image). Right: Pink gold version. An Art Deco icon. Notice the Chemin de fer minute track on the outer dial. Crown at 3 o’clock is for winding and time setting. Date is set via a recessed pusher next to the crown. The world time disc (reverse dial) is set using a sliding pusher on the top of the case.
Hours and minutes. Small seconds at 6 o’clock. Grande date at 12 o’clock.
Reverse or verso dial
Left: Blue details contrast well with the stainless steel case. Right: Black and grey details contrast well with the pink gold case.
World time display: 24-hour time zone indication featuring a world map in the centre.
“In most world timers, when setting the reference city to 12 o’clock, the city disc rotates while the 24-hour display remains static. Jaeger-LeCoultre has inverted this relationship, with a static display of city names and a rotating 24-hour ring, a design choice made to offer better legibility of the complication, and a one-of-a-kind display of the function. To ensure precise setting of the hour, the 24-hour ring jumps in hourly increments. The hours are set using a discreet pusher hidden between the lugs at the top of the case.”
Dial
Steel version
Image: Beautifully executed. Owners might spend more time staring at the reverse world time view. Light blue is daytime hours, and dark blue is nighttime hours. Notice the recessed pusher next to the crown to set the Grande date, and the brand’s logo embossed on the crown.
“The construction of the display on three different levels creates a remarkable effect of visual depth. The city names are engraved directly onto the caseback; set within the aperture, the rotating 24-hour ring indicates day and night; in the centre is the world map – marked with the longitudes that provide additional visual orientation in relation to the time zones.”
Front dial: Rich blue dial in a sunburst finish. Dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands. Applied trapezoidal hour-markers. Reverse dial: Blue lacquer oceans.
Pink gold version
Left: Lacquer being applied by syringe. 141 hollows have to be filled. Right: Reverse part of case meets the movement. Notice the reverse side of the movement with the 24-hour rotating disc.
“The map combines the crafts of lacquering and laser engraving. Beginning with a smooth disc of steel, the areas representing the oceans are hollowed out with a laser, leaving the land masses and meridian lines as raised areas. Then, lacquer is applied to fill in the oceans. Given the intricate shapes of the map and fine details of the meridian lines, the lacquer must be applied, by hand, in carefully controlled drops using a syringe. The finished disc is polished multiple times and, while a perfectly uniform finish is essential, the lacquer and metal reflect the light differently, creating a subtle three-dimensional effect.”
Front Dial: Chocolate brown dial in a sunburst finish. Dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands. Applied trapezoidal hour-markers are made from 18K pink gold. Reverse dial: Black lacquer oceans.
Movement
Left: Front side of the movement with the patented Grande date discs. Right: Steel version’s blue dial meets the movement and case. It beats at a luxurious rate of 3 Hz.
Powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 834. A manually wound movement, it drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, Grande date, and world time function. Thickness: Diameter: 17.20 mm * 22 mm. 6.07 mm. Parts: 209. Jewels: 18. Barrel: 1. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 42 hours.
“For the Grande Date display, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers developed and patented a new shape of the date discs in 2021 to accommodate it within the confined space of the rectangular Reverso case (patent CH715152). It comprises two small side-by-side discs (one for the units 1–9 and one for the 10s, 20s and 30s) rather than two “stacked” discs, as is normal. When the date passes single digits, a tiny hook on the units disc latches on to the other disc, turning it to create the double-digit reading (10th, 11th, 12th, etc.). This has the added benefit of displaying both digits on exactly the same plane, rather than one lower than the other, to create more visual harmony.”
Case
Image: My only gripe with the Reverso Tribute Geographic is the Grande date window. I wish it were slightly larger, especially in relation to the small seconds subdial. However, it is not a deal breaker, and I would contemplate owning the Steel version in the future.
Steel version: Stainless steel case made from 50 components.
Pink gold version: 18K pink gold (750/1000) case made from 50 components.
Both versions: Diameter: 49.40 mm * Width 29.90 mm. Thickness: 11.14 mm. Dial side features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 3 bar or approximately 30 meters.
Steel version comes with 2 interchangeable straps designed by Casa Fagliano: blue calfskin leather and canvas strap – “inspired by the canvas-and-leather boots that Casa Fagliano makes for summer polo” – and a blue calf leather strap. Comes with an interchangeable double folding buckle made from stainless steel.
Pink gold version comes with 2 interchangeable straps designed by Casa Fagliano: golden-tan calfskin leather strap and a black alligator leather strap. Comes with an interchangeable pin buckle made from 18K pink gold.
Our Thoughts
Image: Ideal for collectors who travel a lot, and for those who need to know the time elsewhere at a glance. A conversation starter at watch GTGs for sure.
The Reverso Tribute Geographic was among the most impressive debuts during Watches and Wonders. I was fortunate to handle it in Geneva, among other JLC novelties. The combination of the iconic Reverso case featuring a unique world time display and a patented Grande date design found it an instant fan following. The Steel version is guaranteed to be a bestseller for the brand. The Reverso Tribute Geographic once again highlights JLC’s watchmaking prowess and why they are known as The Watchmaker of Watchmakers™.
Please click here to read our coverage on the Reverso Tribute Chronograph. While JLC is famous for their Reverso collection, models such as their beautiful Polaris Chronograph Ocean Grey are worthy of serious consideration.
Additional Details
Name: Reverso Tribute Geographic
Reference: Q714845J – Steel version
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 19,400 / United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 77,500
Reference: Q714256J – Pink gold version
Limited edition of 150 pieces.
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 32,200 / United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 129,000
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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