By reducing the number of complications, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon has more breathing room on its silver dial

Well-thought-out watches should be likened to well-balanced drinks with complementing and contrasting ingredients. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso collection slips easily into this metaphor, as the rectangular watch with swivelling case has housed numerous complication combos over the decades. It has done so with aplomb and subtle elegance but sometimes also with gusto and heroic bombast.

The firm’s most recent creation is the Reverso Tribute Moon. It shares the same design codes as the Reverso Tribute Calendar from last year, but with the day of the week and the month stripped from the calendar function. The result is two-pronged. If you feel the need for complication, this would appear lesser than the Reverso Tribute Calendar. However, if you welcome this step towards minimalism, you get more breathing room on the grained silver dial and an elevated position for the logo now that the two windows are not there.

Besides, on typical Jaeger-LeCoultre full calendar watch models, there is no recess button for the quick setting of the day of the week in the first place. You need to advance the hour hand until you reach the correct day, and then use the quick-set pushers for the other indications. Such is no longer a chore here, as you only need to deal with the date and the exquisitely hammered moon.

Flip the case and the watch assumes a totally different personality. The dark blue dial features a Clous de Paris guilloché motif all around, leaving the central part with opaline finish clear for time indications. On this dial, it is possible to set the time to another zone, using a hidden sliding trigger at the top of the case. A graphical day/night indicator is provided for a quick and convenient reference, as well as for increased aesthetic appeal.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon’s dark blue dial

This watch is sufficiently different from last year’s Reverso Tribute Calendar so that it will not upset people who bought the earlier model. Its relative affordability does not necessarily mean it is any less valuable as a finely crafted watch either. Going back to the cocktail analogy, the versatile, manual-winding Reverso Tribute Moon is one long drink you can enjoy day and night, on workdays and otherwise. It is also great as your sole Reverso or as a member of an ever-expanding family of respected, Art Deco-inspired timepieces.

Specifications

Movement Manual-winding movement
Power Reserve 42-hour
Case 49.4 x 29.9 x 10.9 millimetres in stainless steel
Water Resistance Up to 30 metres
Strap Blue alligator strap with folding buckle
Price SGD 19,500

This article was originally published in WOW.