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I took the latest Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds for a spin to see if it really lives up to the hype. Is it truly as versatile and elegant as it looks? Here’s everything you need to know!

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a watchmaking icon that was born in 1931, created to meet the demands of British polo players who wanted a watch that could withstand the rigours of the sport. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ingenious design of a reversible case protected the delicate watch during matches, with the dial being turned over to “hide” from impact. The Reverso blended functionality with Art Deco elegance of the 1930s, leading to a timeless design. Over the decades, the Reverso has gone from being a practical sports watch to a symbol of sophistication, elegance and innovation in the world of horology.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Tribute collection pays homage to the timepiece’s rich heritage, reinterpreting classic Reverso design elements with modern flair. The Maison released the Reverso Tribute collection to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Reverso. The Tribute line captures the essence of the original model while incorporating modern materials and movements. The Reverso Tribute collection bridges the past and present, appealing to both vintage enthusiasts and modern watch collectors.

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While there are many different models in the Reverso Tribute collection that tie back to models of the past, the Duoface Small Seconds stands out for its two distinct dials that are powered by a singular movement. This is obviously nothing new for the Reverso, but to think that a singular movement powers two separate dials alongside each dial’s respective functions is truly innovative and extraordinary.

The duoface concept was first introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1994, bringing an entirely new interpretation of the dual-time complication with this Reverso model. The 1994 Reverso Duoface featured the same design: time and small seconds on the main dial, and the second time zone displayed on the Reverso side. The duality of this timepiece offers versatility, allowing the wearer to switch between different time zones or aesthetics by simply sliding the case and changing dials.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds once again shows Jaeger-LeCoultre’s meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. The timepeice’s sleek design and functional complexity reflect the brand’s commitment to excellence, while also showing it’s ability to adapt timeless designs to contemporary tastes. This timepiece not only honours the legacy of the innovative 1994 Reverso Duoface, but also shows us that it is still just as relevant in today’s watchmaking.

Initial Thoughts

When I first tried the Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, it made for a quiet but unmistakable statement. This is a watch that doesn’t shout for attention, however, it earns it through a thoughtful design and mechanical ingenuity. The timepiece sat perfectly on my 16cm wrist, and it felt like a tailored suit: discreetly elegant, yet full of personality!

What I loved about the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds is its versatility. It is a great traveller’s timepiece with its dual-time capabilities, but if you are simply going about your daily activities, the watch allows you to have two different dial options. Personally, I can see the Reverso silver dial being great for daytime and more casual settings, while the main black dial would be perfectly suited for more elegant and formal functions.

Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds Case Design

The case of the Reverso Tribute Duoface is everything you would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre: refined, carefully proportioned and true to the original 1994 model. The timepiece measures 47mm lug to lug and 28.3mm wide, with a thinkers of just 10.34mm. As mentioned above, these measurements are just right as the watch sits perfectly on my wrist (16cm) without protruding or being overbearing.

The case is made of stainless steel with a high-polish finish and features the triple-grooved gadroons on the top and bottom, a vintage-inspired design that enhances the overall aesthetic of the timepiece. Of course, what makes the case of the Reverso so appealing is its hidden detail. The smoothness of how the case flips over is like mechanical poetry. The design of engaging the case and “reversing” it remains as clever and purposeful as the first Reverso created for the polo players.

Flipping the case over is as simple as it looks. However, which side you “slide” to flip the dial depends on whether the watch currently has the main front dial or the reverso dial. If it’s the main front dial, simply pushing the case from the left will engage the mechanism to slide the case. You don’t need to slide the case all the way either, with just a small movement being enough to flip the case. Once the case is flipped, simply lock it into the back plate and slide all the way across to the right till you hear a click, which locks the case into position. To flip the case back to the front dial, do the exact same process; however, start by pushing from the right-hand side.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has engineered everything from the curvature of the lugs to the minimal case thickness to keep the watch ergonomic and comfortable. Its case design combines heritage, function, and elegance in one compelling package.

Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds Dial Design

The dial design of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds is kept relatively simple, clean and timeless. The main dial (crown on the case on the right-hand side), also known as the “recto” dial, features a black sunray-brushed background, which allows the applied hour markers and sharp dauphine hands with their polished finishing to contrast beautifully. While the dial does have a sunray finish, which means that it dark grey tones to black depending on the lighting angle, you mostly see this effect in sunlight, as in most lighting conditions the dial appears to be full black.

The recto dial has a constant seconds subdial at the 6 o’clock position. It is designed with a minimalist approach, with only the seconds track (with every 5 seconds highlighted) and a simple and elegant seconds hand. This design gives the dial a tough of sophistication to what is otherwise an elegant and stylish design. As I mentioned earlier, this is a perfect dial choice for those formal occasions, where it will pair perfectly with a nice dinner jacket or formal attire.

On the reverso side, we are treated to a beautiful silver grey sunray brushed dial, which, unlike its counterpart, has an entirely different look with more detailed finishes. Firstly, we get three different levels of sunburst finishes. The main centre circle for the time has its own sunburst finish, as does the 24-hour day and night indicator at 6 o’clock. Outside of these two dials, the silver grey dial portion where the main applied hour indices lie is also done in a sunburst finish. Now you may think, okay, well, all three have the same finish? Well, not quite. The sunburst effect on all three sections is done at varying levels, meaning the time dial and 24-hour indicator dial stand out more prominently.

Unlike the recto dial side, the 24-hour indicator sub-dial and the main dial on the reverse side are recessed, which means that there is a circular outline distinguishing these dials. On either side of the indicator, we get night and day inscriptions which help distinguish what time of day it is in the second timezone. The second timezone display on this dial makes the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds not only a unique dual-time display but incredibly handy for those who love to travel or like a bit of functionality with their style. Unlike traditional dual-time watches, where everything is displayed on a singular face, this Duoface allows the wearer to have a complete face for one timezone, and if they want to know the home time or vice versa, just slide the case!

Calibre 854A/2 Movement

Inside the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds is the brand’s in-house Calibre 854A/2 manual-wound movement. This movement has been specifically developed for the duoface with its dual-time complication. The Calibre 854A/2 is able to power both dials smoothly while still managing to keep a slim profile as the movement is only 3.8mm thick. With a 42-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 3Hz (21,600 VpH), the movement offers both reliability and accuracy.

The fact that the Calibre 854A/2 movement can handle two different time dials on two different displays is a big credit to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s technical skill. However, it doesn’t stop there, as we get the small seconds complication on the recto side and the 24-hour indicator subdial on the reverso side, which makes this movement all the more impressive at such a slim thickness!

Adjusting the second timezone is relatively easy, too. While on the reverso dial side, simply slide the case to the right to “unlock” it, then on the top of the case, you’ll find a hidden button that you can slide. Doing so triggers the movement mechanism that shifts the hour hand by one increment with each “slide”.

How Does it Wear?

Despite its rectangular shape with a 47mm lug-to-lug distance, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds wears very well, especially on my smaller 16cm wrist size. It felt very comfortable, not too long, not too tall, just right. Having a thickness of 10.34mm is a major factor, as with the length of the case tapering into the edges of my wrist, having a large case size would have made the watch feel too bulky.

The versatility of this timepiece is really what stood out to me. Even though it’s a dual time watch, you can easily just set the second timezone as the “home time” and have two different watch faces for different occasions or to match with different attire. I had the chance to wear this piece to a recent watch get-together, and it received quite a few compliments, especially when I paired the black recto face with my blue dinner jacket. Unlike the silver reverso dial, the black allows perfect contrast with the hour indices and hands. And with these elements having a polished finish, along with the case, they shine beautifully to exude a luxurious and elegant appeal.

Although Jaeger-LeCoultre offers either a grey or black calfskin leather strap, I only had the chance to try on the black. While the grey would suit the silver grey reverso dial nicely, the black calfskin strap suits both dials, with it also helping to accentuate the details of the silver grey dial more so than the grey strap, in my opinion. The straps have been designed in partnership with Casa Fagliano, an artisanal boot and shoe manufacturer. Casa Fagliano makes straps for Jaeger-LeCoultre specifically for the Reverso collection, and the overlap of the canvas on either side of the lugs shows their unique signature design.

Operating the functions of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds is easy. As described earlier, switching the dials around is straightforward. This is also a mechanism that doesn’t require you to take the watch off to do so, either. And in the same process of flipping the case over, the dual time adjustments can be done on the go as well. The “trigger” mechanism to adjust the second time zone on the silver grey reverso dial can be pushed/slid while the case is unlocked, meaning once again the timepiece doesn’t need to be taken off the wrist to do so. This makes the timepiece incredibly user-friendly. Not only does it carry the sophistication of a dress watch, but it also brings with it the practicality and everyday convenience that few high-end watches offer.

Final Thoughts

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Duoface Small Seconds is a true celebration of the Reverso’s legacy. Having two dials on one timepiece isn’t just a gimmick. It adds real value and versatility to the watch. In saying that, I know there are so many other complex Reverso models in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s catalogue, but the mere fact that you can get two dials separate from each other with their respective functions is mechanical brilliance and will always be an impressive feat to me.

This is more than just a beautiful, elegant timepiece. It’s a brilliant example of how tradition and innovation can come together seamlessly. The dual-time concept on different dials isn’t just clever, it’s incredibly useful, especially for world travellers. As mentioned earlier, the beauty of this timepiece is that you can have a single dial for the country or timezone you are in, and if you ever want to know what the time is back home, all it is is a simple and easy dial flip! If you wear this as a daily beater, it can also work as a timepiece to suit different occasions and outfits. While the Reverso’s iconic flip-case design has been around for nearly a century, it still feels fresh and enjoyable to engage with whenever you wear it.

The more you wear this watch, the more you feel a real emotional connection with it. The hand-wound movement makes you pause, interact, and appreciate the craft behind it. The changing dials offer variety, while the compact, elegant case ensures it never feels out of place, whether at a formal dinner or out for a casual coffee.

For fans of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, this timepiece feels like a refined evolution of everything that’s come before. And for newcomers to Jaeger-LeCoultre, it really is a perfect entry point. A watch that delivers heritage, elegance, and versatility in equal measure. It’s a piece that doesn’t just live in the shadow of its legacy, but rather carries it forward with confidence.

Reference: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds (Q398847J)

Specification:

• Case: 47mm lug to lug x 28.3mm wide x 10.34mm thick.
• Case Material: Stainless steel polished case
• Case back: Stainless steel with brushed finish
• Dial: Recto dial is black sunray brushed with applied markers. Verso dial is silvered grey sunray brushed with applied markers.
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
• Water resistance: 30m / 3ATM
• Movement: In-house Manual Wound Calibre 854A/2
• Power reserve: 42 hours operating at 3Hz (21,600 VpH).
• Bracelet: The watch comes with two straps, made of black or grey calfskin leather and featuring a double-folding stainless steel buckle.

Australian Recommended Retail Price: A$22,000

Availability: Available via Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques, Authorised Retailers and at Jaeger-lecoultre.com.au