Okay, so, I’ve been on this mission lately, right? Trying to find a decent replica of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. I’m not just talking about any Reverso, but the one with that simple, clean design and the metal back plate. It’s a classic, you know?
I spent hours, days even, scouring the internet, forums, you name it. Every time I thought I found something, it was either way off or just plain dodgy. You wouldn’t believe the junk that’s out there.
Then, I stumbled upon this post about the new Reverso Tribute Monoface. Apparently, Jaeger-LeCoultre released it in a size that’s really close to the original from way back in 1931. It’s got this steel case that just looks… chef’s kiss. They mentioned the proportions and how they were spot on with the vintage model. My heart skipped a beat – could this be the inspiration I needed?
I dug deeper. Found out that some of the women’s models use a quartz movement, and there’s also this manually wound Reverso Classic that’s a bit cheaper than the Tribute. But it was the Tribute that had my attention. It just seemed to capture that old-school charm.
The Hunt Continues
But here’s where it got tricky. I started seeing these fakes online, all claiming to be perfect replicas. Some even had the same reference number as the real deal! I saw one guy, Yannipanos, he was asking for advice about a fake he had. Made me wonder what people actually do with these things.
My “Eureka!” Moment
I kept researching, and I found this description of the Reverso. It was designed back in the day for polo players, so it’s supposed to be tough. The original had these Art Deco lines, and this unique reversible case – it’s like, the watch’s signature move. I read about a version with a silvered dial, Arabic numerals, and blue steel hands, all in a 45 x 27mm stainless steel case. It sounded perfect, but how to get that look without dropping a fortune?
So, I decided, screw it. I’m going to try and make my own version. Not a fake, per se, but an homage, a tribute if you will. I started sketching, looking at pictures, trying to nail down the dimensions. I even bought a cheap watch just to practice taking it apart and putting it back together. I’m no watchmaker, but I figured, how hard could it be? (Famous last words, I know.)
- Step 1: Disassemble the cheap watch.
- Step 2: Study the mechanisms. Get a feel for how everything fits together.
- Step 3: Start designing my own version on paper.
- Step 4: Source parts. This was a whole new adventure. I found online stores that sold watch parts, and I spent way too much time comparing hands, dials, and cases.
It’s been a wild ride, let me tell you. I’ve learned a ton about watches, about design, and about my own (in)ability to be patient. I’m still not finished with my project, but I’m getting there. It’s not an exact replica, but it’s mine, and it’s got that Reverso vibe I was after. Will I ever finish it? Who knows! But it’s been one heck of a journey so far.
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