The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948 is brand new from this juggernaut of Haute Horlogerie. The Reverso is one of those timepieces that will stand the test of time (pun not intended) regardless of fads or fashion trends.

Three years ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the Reverso Ultra-Thin 1931, which was a tribute to an era of watchmaking that saw many classics from this brand. This year the Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948 takes us to yet another time in the brand’s history. The 1931 and a subsequent model, which was made from rose gold and featured a chocolate brown dial became almost overnight successes with collectors and watch enthusiasts around the world.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948 is made with a distinctive bright white dial, and blued steel sword shaped hands, and blued steel indexes marking the hours. This model also features a rail road minute track also in blue. At the 6 position is a squared small seconds counter with black indexes. One of the more noteworthy features on this dial is the inscription ‘Fabriqué en Suisse’. This was a requirement for watches that were being imported to France during this era.

The movement inside this watch is the hand wound calibre 822/2, which features a standard 45 hour power reserve. This movement is made completely in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s workshops in Switzerland.  This hand wound movement is incredibly only made from 114 parts, with 19 of them being jewels.

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948 is made from stainless steel and measures 46.8mm x 27.4mm. Though this is pretty large, the case height stands at a very thin 7.3mm. The case back carries Jaeger-LeCoultre’s “1000 Hours Control” motto. This inscription refers to the almost obsessive quality control practices of this Swiss brand. Completing the aesthetics of this watch is a large square scale black alligator leather strap, equipped with a pin buckle. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin 1948 is only available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques around the world.