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Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin
Grande Reverso Ultra Thin is a wristwatch from Jaeger-LeCoultre in the Reverso family, produced from 2011 through 2016.
Overview
Like previous Grande Reverso and Reverso Grande models, the 2011-2016 Grande Reverso Ultra Thin models use a larger than usual case. While the full-sized “Reverso Grande” had been upgraded from 46.5 x 29 mm to become “Grande Reverso” at 48.5 x 30 mm, Jaeger-LeCoultre stepped back from this upsizing for this Ultra Thin line. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin was nearly the same height as its predecessor at 46.8 mm but was somewhat narrower at 27.4 mm. And of course it was also much thinner, at just 7.3 mm. An ultra-thin Duoface model was introduced later, measuring 9.1 mm thick.
Two thicker models also shared this 46.8 x 27.4 mm case, the 2014 Grande Reverso Night & Day, Ref. 380 and Grande Reverso 1931 Seconde Centrale, Ref. 381. During this same time period, Jaeger-LeCoultre also produced a Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin line.
The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin was replaced by the 8.5 mm thick Reverso Classic Large Small Seconds, Ref. 385 after a one-year gap 2017.
History
In 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Reverso model with the launch of the new Grande Reverso Ultra Thin line. Introduced at SIHH, the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931, Ref. 278 was just 7.3 mm thick, a remarkable achievement for the multi-part Reverso case, thanks to the thin Cal. 822 movement. The case measures 46.8 mm tall by 27.4 mm wide, quite large for a Reverso, and has a single two-handed dial with simple pointed bar markers and just the name “Reverso”. A regular white-dial Grande Reverso Ultra Thin was also introduced at that time in steel (Q2788520) and later gold (Q2782520).
2012 saw a red-dial version of the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin called the Rouge, and 2013 saw the blue-dial Bleu, both in steel. In 2014, Jaeger-LeCoultre advanced the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin line, adding small seconds with Cal. 822/2. This new movement is simpler, with 19 jewels and 114 components rather than 21 and 134. The watches launched include the brown-dial Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 “Chocolate” and the white dial Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948. All of these models were part of the same Reference 278 model line.
Another major release later in 2012 was the skeletonized Grande Reverso Ultra Thin SQ. Featuring sapphire crystal on both sides, Cal. 849 is ornately carved. Just 50 of this Ref. Q2783540 were produced in white gold through 2013.
At SIHH in 2013, Jaeger-LeCoultre added a Duoface model to the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin line. Available in both steel (Q3788570) and rose gold (Q3782520), the new Duo used the same Cal. 854/1 as previous models, complete with the square button above the crown to adjust the time shown on the black alternate dial. Like the original Tribute to 1931, the home dial simply says “Reverso” with no Jaeger-LeCoultre branding, and has simple pointed bar markers. However, a subdial for small seconds stood in contrast to all other Ultra Thin models at the time. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface, Ref. 378, measured 9.1 mm thick. A Duoface Bleu model was sold from 2013 to 2014 as well.
References
Despite the name, the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin does not use the same case as the Grande Reverso family, though two models of that family (Night & Day and 1931 Seconde Centrale) use a thicker version of the Ultra Thin case. Note also that the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Lady models are separate.
- Case number 277 - Cal. 822
- Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Bleu (2013) - steel (Q378858J)
- Grande Reverso Ultra Thin SQ, Ref. 278 (2012-2013) - Cal. 849, limited to 50 pieces - white gold (Q2783540)
- Case number 278 - Cal. 854/1
- Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface, Ref. 378 (2013-2016) - steel (Q3788520, 278.8.54), gold (Q3782520, 278.2.54))