Back in December 2010, the Swiss manufacturer was going to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its iconic 1931 Reverso model. The brand has introduced an outstanding limited-edition Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 to mark the event.
The timekeeper proved to be so popular among thousands of fans that exactly a year later JLC offered an even more appealing Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge Hand-Wound, and a later year still the splendid Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Bleu. This year, the company introduces Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 (ref. Q2782560) that features a slightly different, but even more historically correct dial.
Slightly (just barely) larger than previous iterations, the new JLC Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 sports a modified version of the same cal. 822 engine that animated the 1931 Rouge. Called JLC Caliber 822/2, the mechanism features a small seconds indicator, which is positioned at 6 hours.
Speaking of sizes, the Ultra Thin 1931 comes in the signature rectangular case that is just shy of 47 mm in length and almost 27.5 millimeters in width. Pair it with impressive thinness of just 7.30 millimeters and you get a real gentleman’s gadget that not only looks great on a normal wrist but is also comfortable to wear with formal attire.
As usual, you can actually wear the piece as a sports accessory since its ultra-thin case can still be rotated 180 degrees clockwise in order to protect the sapphire crystal from accidental shattering. When “closed”, the timepiece will reveal its machine-brushed with the iconic corporate logo, as well as the “1000 Hours Control” inscription and a unique serial number engraved on it.
Compared to the historic model, the layout of the dial is slightly different. The REVERSO inscription has been put right atop the square-shaped subsidiary seconds indicator and the company’s name has been removed completely. Perhaps, the reason behind the decision had something to do with the fact that the company was renamed “S.A. des Produits Jaeger-LeCoultre” only in 1937.
Also, some historical models of the company produced before that year were indeed often presented without any corporate logo on them. So, the decision probably has nothing to do with someone among top managers suffering from an acute feeling of shame or anything like that.
Delivered in a rose gold body, it features my favorite combination of colors.
The matt-brown alligator leather strap and a chocolate-brown dial nicely match the polished gold case. The most interesting thing about this timepiece is that the eleven stick-shaped hour-markers and the Arabic “12” numeral is not applied, painted, transferred, or printed. JLC employed some sort of powdering process to make the rose-gold numeral.
It looks like the Swiss watchmaker doesn’t plan to limit the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 production, which is great: it would be a real crime against humanity to make this rose gold beauty available to just a few dozens of lucky guys.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph
Photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre
WWR verdict
Originality 5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 5/5
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Q2782560 specification
Price: $17,200 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, JLC caliber 822/2, in-house, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 19
Movement frequency: 21,600 vph
Power reserve: 45 hours
Movement decoration: Hand-decorated
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Case: 18-karat Rose gold
Shape: Rectangular
Dimensions: 46.80 mm x 27.40 mm
Case height: 7.30 mm
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Dial: Chocolate brown
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Powdered
Hands: Sword-shaped, rose gold
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Matt brown alligator leather strap on 18-karat rose gold pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid, engraved “1000 Hours Control”