This is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Tribute to 1931 reference 277.8.62. A manufacturer synonymous with its flagship model, the Reverso, JLC is a storied brand with a long and rich history in watchmaking. Colloquially known as “the watchmaker’s watchmaker” for its watchmaking prowess, the brand has almost two centuries of watchmaking history with its most important and recognizable creation being the first reversible watch, the Reverso.

The story of the Reverso began in 1931, where Rene-Alfred Chauvot patented the creation of what would eventually become the brand’s most iconic and associated model. Dating back pre-JLC, the creation of the Reverso was originally meant for the sport of polo, with the reversible case acting as protection for the front. Throughout the years, there have been countless variations of the iconic JLC model since its first introduction in the early 20th century.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the original Reverso, the brand released the Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin Tribute to 1931 in 2011. While fairly sizeable lug-to-lug, the new release remained true to its Ultra-Thin moniker at only 7.2mm in thickness. Displaying influences from the original with the single “Reverso” signature on a black dial with luminous indices and hands, the Tribute certainly harks back to Reversos from the 1930s.

Housed in stainless steel powered by the manual-winding JLC Cal. 822, the release is representative of the “less is more” saying with the single face and time-only function with the omission of a seconds hand allowing perfect symmetry. A modern interpretation that’s a worthy tribute to the original, the Tribute to 1931 is not just a faithful re-edition but also an important modern Reverso in its own right.