Okay, so I’ve been on this kick lately, trying to make my own version of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out. I saw this JLC Reverso Tribute Monoface, and I just fell in love with its simple, classic design. The one with the metal back plate, you know?
I started digging around, trying to find something similar that wouldn’t break the bank. I looked at a bunch of different watches, even that Bulova Classic Quartz, but nothing really hit the spot. Then I stumbled upon some info about the Reverso Tribute Monoface. Apparently, JLC brought back a smaller size that’s closer to the original design. I was stoked! This new steel case is supposed to be 40.1mm long, 24.4mm wide, and 7.56mm thick. That’s pretty much what I was aiming for.
My first move was figuring out how to open up the back of a JLC watch. I read somewhere that if it’s a quartz movement, it might be easier. But honestly, I was more interested in the mechanical ones. The one I’m trying to imitate supposedly has a hand-wound Calibre 822 movement. That sounds cool, right?
Next, I started messing around with the dial. The real Reverso Tribute Monoface has this gorgeous silver-grey dial, but I’m just experimenting with different materials for now. The big idea is to have a reversible case, like the original. One side would have the dial, and the other would be plain stainless steel. Just like the original that was made for polo players back in the day.
Finding the Right Parts
- Case: Finding a rectangular stainless steel case that’s about 45 x 27mm and can flip around is a real pain. I’ve been scouring online shops and even some local watch repair places.
- Movement: I’m not even close to making my own movement yet. For now, I’m just looking for a basic automatic movement that fits the case.
- Dial and Hands: This is where I can get a little creative. I’m thinking of using some thin metal sheets and experimenting with different finishes to get that silvery look. The hands are going to be tricky, but I have some tiny tools that might do the trick.
I’ve been learning a lot about the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre, too. It’s a Swiss company that’s been around since 1833. The Reverso was first made in 1931, and it’s been a total classic ever since. It was designed by some French engineer and the founder of JLC, and it was meant to be tough enough for polo players. Pretty neat, huh?
So, that’s where I’m at with this whole project. It’s definitely a challenge, and I’m still not sure if I can actually pull it off. But I’m having a blast learning about watchmaking and trying to recreate this iconic timepiece. It’s like a puzzle, and I’m slowly putting the pieces together. Wish me luck!
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