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To add to the stories here: my Reverso story:
Reverso’s were the first watch I fell in love with; the reason why I was interested in watches. The Reverso, and one Reverso in particular, holds a special place for me. This is the longer version of the story I entered onto the Reverso Virtual Museum.
As a small boy the first watch I remember was the Reverso on the wrist of my maternal grandfather. My grandfather bought his Reverso in the late 1930's a short time after my mother was born. She was born in 1931. I remembered the distinguished and stylish watch on his wrist and that was the watch I wanted to buy as my first watch. I did; the first quality watch I bought was a stainless steel Reverso Classique. However, sometime in the late 1990's I learned of the rose gold Reverso Tourbillon. This was (and still is) my perfect watch and so begun a search to acquire one. 
I contacted Manufacture Jaeger LeCoultre to see if any Reverso Tourbillon's remained at dealers in the world. It was almost 5 years since the watch had been released and I was fairly certain that a new watch was not going to be available. For a while, there was no reply and I had all but given up on the idea of a new version, when an email arrived. It was the end of June 1999.
My wife and I had been trying to start a family for a few months and at that date, no success. A phone call from my wife, she was pregnant, it was confirmed. Elated I walked around for a while, unable to settle into the day. I eventually looked at my email: a letter from MJLC; one new Reverso Tourbillon had been found, the last one available, in a watch dealer in Cologne Germany called Harald Buttscheid. A gentleman, he agreed to hold the watch until I could get there and purchase it. It took another 4 months, but he kept it for me.
So there, when my daughter was born, when my son was born, the Reverso was with me to record the time. It records the time now as I spend my hours and minutes with my children, my family.
The number on the watch: 219….
Andrew H
More posts:
A Historical Watch and a Watch of History: An appeal for the Reverso Virtual Museum
One of THE iconic watch designs is celebrating 80 years; the Reverso still looks as good today as it did when it was first introduced. In the intervening years, the Reverso has been mimicked and copied, but never bettered. It has been the watch of Royalty...
Excellent post, and good call, Andrew.
Yes, I lost myself in this exhibition dedicated to what it is not exagerated to call an iconic watch. So many marvels, pieces of History, and sublime declinations gathered in the same place, for our eyes biggest pleasure. Your pics do justice to this even...
Thanks Nicolas - great to see you at SIHH. Actually, I thought
my small selection of Reverso's did not do justice to the breath and depth of history around the watch. I selected only a few. The Virtual Museum provides details on so many more. But thanks for the kind words. Andrew H
wow--I never realized that Chicago, my hometown, was part of the reverso history
Thanks for pointing out the origins of Balbo Street. Will have to find the donated monument residing on the Lake Shore... J
If its not buried in snow - take a picture and show us - please. Isn't it great
how history is all around us, we just have to take a look. And who would have thought it was connected to a Reverso that commemorated the flight as well! Thanks. Andrew H
Terrific post, Andrew
I love seeing the engravings and artwork on the backs of these Reversos. As Nicolas said, and the new JLC ads proclaim, the Reverso is one of the rare watches that may justifiably be called iconic. And the verso side is a perfect canvas, no? So, I am a bi...
There is always the Tribute watch - very iconic and renewed
for the 80th birthday! A great way to record your watch in the Virtual Museum.... Andrew H
Helpful suggestion. ;-)
I have to see that one in the metal. I am very happy with the size of the Grande 976 and the complications of the Grande GMT, so those models will need to be trumped. Best, respo
great post...
love the history and the engravings... thanks for sharing.. I have taken a look at the Online Museum and its a great venture...
The Virtual Museum is a great venture and will only be as
great as the collectors and enthusiasts allow; if we do not participate then I think a great opportunity will be missed. Andrew H
Nice post
Thanks for sharing all this information,I enjoyed reading it. Regards, Raman.
80 years of history..!
43 different movements – I wonder how many different Ref’s of the Reverso there is? Very interesting to read the story for the different engraves. Thank you, Andrew for a great post! Best Blomman
Good question, and I am sure someone knows the answer...
but not I. Thanks for reading. Hope you have contributed to the Virtual Museum? Andrew H
Will do Andrew…
I made an attempt earlier, but met some technical problems… Will do another try. Best Blomman
I think it is as tough as finding all the references of the Memovox ever made, Blomman.
If there are two watches which are alsmot impossible to reference in an exhaustive and comprehensive way, the Memovox and the Reverso are these 2, without any doubt. Best, Nicolas.
Indeed…
But it would be a very interesting read! I wonder how many it could be in each line? BTW, I am still working on some pics/info to post in the Reference Memovox post… Best, my friend Blomman
As for the Memovox, would dare a guess.
Around 50? The problem is to gather all the US references, in my opinion. The Grande Maison doesn't have all the archives about the US Productionj. Best, Nicolas.
Ough…!
Around 50? You are probably right! Still many to see in the metal… The LeCoultre Refs… Yes, we need GregB for that one! Best Blomman
Good call Andrew!
Thanks for the post - it's enjoyable reading. My reverso and a brief story is already in the virtual museum. Nikolaj
Fantastic - thanks! Do you want to share it here as well? Could
be a fun thing to start. Thanks Andrew H
Sure thing!
Here you go (old pics): I bought this as my first Reverso after years of fascination of the entire range. For those years I could somehow never pull the trigger on one when I tried them on - I found them either too feminine or too "mature" for my taste. B...
That remains one of the very best
at least as far as I am concerned. What a great entry into the virtual museum that is, Nicolaj! I NEVER tire of seeing photos of your Reverso Chronographe Retrograde. Best, respo
Thanks Respo
I knew you would like it my friend! Last I checked, it actually had a quite decent ranking in the virtual museum - feel free to place your vote too Kindest regards Nikolaj
Great watch, great story. I have always loved the
rose gold series for the Reverso. I will add my story here as well (from the rose gold series). There was a consistency and continuity to the rose gold series that made the watches 'great'. Great photo BTW. Thanks for sharing Andrew H
Stunning, Nikolaj! :)
And interesting story! Thanks for sharing! Do you have any close up on the chrono side? Best Blomman
hm, this is the best I have...
Colours are not so well reproduced. In reality, the blue (hands and screws) is more blue and the jewels are more red... Thanks for your kind words Blomman. Nikolaj...
Right colours or not…
It’s still beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Nikolaj! Best Blomman
What a revelation .. Pure passion I guess .. Nice story, as well
- great and thanks for you share ! I also liked the pic composition ( RG watch vs the locks) - lock it away and enjoy it in quiet moments ? - with some music in the background ? Or a lock as a symbol of treasure . Minds wandering . Merci, again, HS
Thanks HS.
I am very pleased that my picture has your mind wandering. To be honest, I had no particular artistic intentions with the set-up. I was just looking for a nice background for a Friday "WristScan" and my old pilots briefcase in the corner of my office serv...
An epic post... Commemorating a watch with an epic history...
Truly an impressive history for this watch line. Thanks for the trip! Much appreciated!
Thanks for the kind words - enjoyed writing the history. Interesting
to see how a watch can carve a path through the lives of others and history traced out as a line of Reverso's! Andrew H
Tremendously enjoyable read , thank you
- think I ' ve read this post 3-4 times at least already, so much to look at, But so much thoughtful thinking of stories connected. Well, of lives connected, sometimes sectors or moments, sometimes long stretches possibly.. On a personal note also and on ...
Thanks for the brilliant response. Perhaps post story and pictures
here for the rest of us to share and enjoy? Going to add mine. Thanks Andrew H
Thnx for kind interest .. will try soon :))
- appreciate your encouragement; just describing those feelings appeared to recall the sentiment: Nice and a bit strange ? - Probably not, more expression of awakening interest, when one looks back .. This Virtual Reverso Museum, I guess will make feel pe...
To add to the stories here: my Reverso story:
Reverso’s were the first watch I fell in love with; the reason why I was interested in watches. The Reverso, and one Reverso in particular, holds a special place for me. This is the longer version of the story I entered onto the Reverso Virtual Museum. As...
A superb story, Andrew.
You put the light on the reasons why some watches may be more than watches, in your post. A superb story, indeed, where family and horology are intimately linked. Though, a mystery remains ... You pseudo is " 219 ", this Reverso is Nr " 219 ", which I bel...
Thanks Nicolas - 219 was the number I selected for a login
on joining Purists. However, the story gets a little more far fetched when considering the following. My birthdate is 11/28/(numbers to 9): add the digits within the diagonal lines: 1+1=2/2+8=10=1+0=1/add to 9=> '219'. You cannot make this up! Too weird t...
Great story, Andrew!
Thank you for sharing it here with us! Wonderful watch and story! Happy to see that over time you have not changed your “the Perfect watch”. Best Blomman
lovely stories
Fantastic story, and a happy ending no doubt. I'm new to the JLC world, and have fallen for the Reverso in a big way. I'm hoping to acquire my first soon, but all these Reverso stories are just inspiring. That Tourbillon is absolute breathtaking. Thanks f...
A pleasure and this was the genesis thought behind the Purists
by Dr Thomas Mao many moons ago: a reference point for discussion on the web; for all watch lovers and enthusiasts. A virtual meeting place. Good to see that this website is fulfilling the purpose it was designed for: passion, opinion, and information! An...
