Okay, so, today I want to talk about something I did recently with a watch – the Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Reverso Tribute Monoface. This thing is a beauty, but man, is it pricey! I’ve always loved the look of it, but the price tag? Ouch.
First off, I did a bunch of digging online. I mean, I scoured forums, read every review I could find, and even checked out some videos. The original Geophysic, which the Reverso is kind of based on, is super rare. I’m talking less than 1,000 pieces ever made, which explains why it’s so hard to get your hands on one. And that got me thinking, how hard could it be to make something that looks like it?
I started with figuring out what makes the Reverso so special. It’s all about that classic, rectangular shape. The craftsmanship on the real deal is insane, which is why it’s tough to fake. I looked at a ton of pictures, trying to get the dimensions right. And I read, that JLC themselves released a new version that’s closer to the original’s size, which gave me a good starting point.
Now, about prices. I found someone who bought one back in 2011 for around $8,750, and that was before the price hikes. These days, a new one goes for about $8,900! I couldn’t believe it. I looked everywhere online, trying to find a better deal, but no luck. I couldn’t even find any used ones or knock-offs that were any cheaper.
So, I decided to get crafty. I started by sketching out the design, focusing on the dial and the case. I even tried to mimic the font they use for the numbers. It was tough, let me tell you. But after a few tries, I had something that looked pretty good.
Next, I started thinking about materials. I wanted to get it to flip like the real one. I mean, that’s the whole point of the Reverso, right? So I messed around with some hinges and stuff, trying to get that smooth flipping action. It took a while, but I finally got it working.
Then came the hard part – actually making the thing. I used some basic tools and materials I had lying around. Nothing fancy. The case was the trickiest part. I wanted it to look like metal, but without actually using expensive materials. So, I got creative with some finishes and paints. It took me a while to get the color and texture right, but in the end, it turned out pretty decent.
Putting it all together was a real pain. I had to be super careful not to mess up the dial or the flipping mechanism. But after a lot of trial and error, I finally had something that resembled the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it was close enough for me.
Here’s what I learned from this whole experience:
- Research is key: Understanding the history and design of the watch was crucial.
- Patience is a virtue: It took a lot of time and effort to get it right.
- It’s okay to improvise: I had to get creative with materials and techniques.
The Result
In the end, I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not a perfect replica, but it captures the essence of the Reverso Tribute Monoface. And the best part? It didn’t cost me an arm and a leg! I know it’s not the real thing, and a real watchmaker would probably laugh at my attempt, but hey, I had fun doing it, and that’s what matters. Plus, I learned a ton about watchmaking along the way. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real deal, but for now, my little imitation will do just fine.
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