Grande Reverso 976

Watch Series: Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 976

Today I want to share with you guys one of my favorite watches. It's a watch that I always wanted to own from the time when I was just learning more about horology and gaining interest in watches as a whole. The JLC Reverso's history is probably one of the most interesting that I have ever read. The watch was designed in the 1931 originally as a sports watch for polo players at the time that needed a more robust watch that could take an impact without breaking. That's why JLC made a watch that could have a case that reversed to a solid stainless steel back during polo play and then be reversed back to the watch face once you were done playing. The reference that I own is a modern take on the original Reverso hence the increased grande size to the inclusion of a sapphire exhibition display back. Beyond the interesting history, there are many things that made me adore the Reverso and they are all rooted in it's unique design queues. As a photographer and engineer the Golden Ratio based on the Fibonacci Sequence has always interested me. The Golden Ratio exists not online in nature but also in some of the world's most famous art work like the Mona-Risa by Leonardo Da Vinci. It's said to have magical properties and that when something is design with the Golden Ratio in mind that it will be pleasing to look at. So it's interesting to know that the JLC Reverso's length and width of the rectangular case and even the small running seconds sub-dial is all based off the Golden Ratio. Maybe that's why I feel like this watch's design is so timeless. I also love the art deco queues that come from the 1930's period that still remain in the design of the watch even today. There's so many more smaller details about the watch I could talk about from the beautiful circular graining on the carriage of the case to the stain brushed dial or maybe even the blue hour and minutes hands but I have to say it's the beauty of the in-house 976 movement that has me mesmerized and checking the exhibition back every time I wear this watch. What else can I say other than this watch is truly one of the all time greats! You rarely will find a watch or anything with this level of timeless design. This is definitely a piece i'll keep in my collection until i'm ready to hopefully pass it on to one of my daughters one day.