Marking the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, Jaeger-LeCoultre issued a limited edition of their iconic Reverso model. The 2011 Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Special Italian Edition will be sold in a limited lot of only 150 pieces. Something tells me that most (if not all) of these wristwatches will go directly to the brand’s Italian boutiques, which is a pity, because, you know: collector’s value.
As usual, the Grande Reverso Italian Edition is issued in the same case as the original watch measuring 46 millimeters in length, 27.50 millimeters in width, and only 7.20 millimeters in height. In fact, the new Grande Reverso family is considered to be the thinnest in the whole 80-year history of the legendary two-faced model.
The impressive thinness comes courtesy of the in-house Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre 822 hand-wound movement, which, although comprising 134 parts, is squeezed into a vertical space of only 2.94 mm.
The only thing that differentiates the limited-edition model from the standard-issue Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin is the decoration of its silvered, minimalistic dial.
Firstly, the Italian Edition has the hour markers on the chapter, err, rectangle printed in red.
And, secondly, the Arabic numeral “8” has also been replaced with the red Latin letter “R,” which probably stays here for both the “Reverso” as well as for “Il Risorgimento” or “The Resurgence,” which is the name of the 19th-century movement for Italian unification led by their national heroes Giuseppe Mazzini (1805 – 1872) and Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807 – 1882).
Starting at the beginning of the 19th century, the process of unification officially ended in March 1861 when the Italian Parliament proclaimed Victor Emmanuel II King of Italy and, ten days later, declared Rome the Capital of Italy (although by that time the ancient city was still occupied by the French troops.)
According to the official press release, the Italian Edition be available both in rose gold and in even more understated stainless steel, each produced in a run of 150 pieces.
There is still no info regarding the recommended pricing for the pieces, but it would be safe to assume that the version in stainless steel will cost around €6000. Of course, the version in rose gold will be a lot more expensive, but not prohibitively so.
See also: Vacheron Constantin Historique Aronde 1954
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Italian Edition specification
Movement: Hand-wound, crafted, assembled, and decorated by hand, 2.94 mm in height, 21,600 vph, 21 jewels, 134 parts, in-house, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Decorated by hand
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case: Stainless steel or Rose gold
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions: 46.00 mm x 27.50 mm
Case height: 7.20 mm
Dial: Silvered, red “R” letter in place of the “8” numeral
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Blued, sword-shaped
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Black alligator leather strap with pin buckle matching the material of the case
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid