HANDS-ON: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface in pink gold
Believe it or not, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one of the original sports watches. The oft-quoted origin story about this iconic rectangle is that it was the dusty polo fields of colonial India that gave birth to the reversible watch, which could be easily flipped to protect the delicate dial during the rough and tumble of the chukka. That was way back in 1931, and in the subsequent decades the perceptions of the Reverso have, much like its ingenious case, done a complete about-face. In 2017 the Reverso stands out as one of the default black-tie watches. Nowhere is that more apparent than with this Tribute Duoface, which looks absolutely stunning in pink gold. The case size is reasonable – but by no means overwhelming – at 25.5mm wide by 42.9mm high. The one thing that shines brighter than the gold on this watch is the clever and varied use of texture. Everywhere you look there’s a different finish. The front dial is described by JLC as a slate grey, but I’d be much more inclined to refer to it as a silver, with a rich eggshell texture. Whatever you call it, it looks good. The second dial is just…
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When we think Rado, we tend not to think chunky, ’70s-inspired dive watch. We’re much more likely to lean towards chic ceramic minimalism, or perhaps this year’s surprise hit, the Captain Cook. Which is why the HyperChrome 1616 is such a standout, though the impressive 46mm case helps too. Of course, Rado are a brand with a high-tech rep to protect, so don’t expect them to use anything as simple as steel for the case material. Instead they’ve crafted two takes on the theme – one in black ceramic, the other in hardened titanium. The ceramic version is the more modern of the two, lightweight and ultra-hard, thanks to the case, painstakingly crafted from a mix of black ceramic feedstock and polymer binder that’s then injection moulded and sintered at about 1450 degrees celsius. It is then finally given the mix of brushed and polished finishes on the 1616 case. The hardened titanium version is no less impressive (and far more retro in appearance). It has been treated so that it’s four times harder than steel. Add to these hi-tech cases the fact that you get a modified ETA that’s good for 80 hours, and the competitive pricing, and there’s a lot to…
I’m no prop master, but I know when I’d reach for a Reverso to dress a character’s wrist. It would be when they had a scene in a suit. It would be at a point in their character trajectory where they were at peak confidence, when their outward style is tapping into the classic, the iconic, the timeless. And also when the brand of badass they’re seeking to project is more brains than brawn. You suspect this was precisely the thought process of the art directors and prop masters that did just that with these kings of the screen. Pierce Brosnan. Ah, Pierce. He may have bombed as Bond but the man knows how to work black tie. The key is having an accessory in the mix that pops on the monochrome backdrop, and few accessories can compete with a gold dress watch with white face and black leather strap. The additional fact that it’s an unusual shape also catches attention. This is a five-star power play. Bravo, Brosnan. Leo. Damn, Leo! Has the boy put some thought into this outfit or what, pairing not only a dress watch and band to his formal attire, but also dial colour to…
With an eye for the eclectic and the independent, Simeon’s perspective on watches is well worth a follow. NAME: Simeon Kremzow-Tennie OCCUPATION: Editor and community manager at 8Past10. HANDLE: @Simeon_kt FOLLOWERS: 1.7k LOCATION: Germany Tell me about yourself: My name is Simeon Kremzow-Tennie, I’m a 24-year-old electrical engineering student, based In Germany. I’m also working as an editor and community manager for 8past10. I enjoy photography. Though I mostly photograph watches, I sometimes take a break and switch to nature photography. How do you unwind? After a long day I love to cook a nice dinner with my wonderful girlfriend, accompanied by a delicious wine to really relax. If the weather is nice and we can sit outside, I usually add a good cigar to the list as well. I’ve also recently started bouldering with some friends, which is a great sport to improve fitness and physical strength that also helps me to get my mind off a long work day. What’s your daily watch at the moment? Being a watch collector, I own several watches from different brands, so I do not have a true daily watch, as I change them too often. I do, however, like to wear watches…
Today’s list is, without doubt, one of the most meta we’ve done in a while. We’re looking forward… to the past. There’s no escaping that vintage reissues are a part of the watch collection landscape, now being a ‘key pillar’ for many brands, and guessing what they’re going to pull out of the archives is always a fun game. So Andy and I polished off the crystal ball and had a stab at what we’re going to see at SIHH and Baselworld 2018. Omega Flightmaster Andy: The Omega Flightmaster is one of those watches that was made for such a short period of time (about four years) that you really wonder what happened. It was a pretty significant watch for Omega, being the last time they specifically developed a movement for pilots. It was basically superseded, technologically speaking, by the Speedmaster X-33. Which at the time, the late ’60s to early ’70s, made sense. Now that we live in an age where practicality doesn’t really matter, the Flightmaster is due for a comeback, and I think it’s going to happen. Likelihood: 7/10 Felix’s take: Much like Mulder, I want to believe, but the Flightmaster is a complex watch… maybe too complex? Likelihood:…
