Okay, so I’ve been eyeing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface for a while now. It’s just such a classic, you know? I finally decided to take the plunge and try to replicate it myself. I mean, why not? It’s a fun project and a way to appreciate the craftsmanship without, well, you know, the price tag.
I started by gathering as much info as I could. I found some cool stuff online, like how “Reverso” is Latin for “I turn around.” Makes sense, right? With that flippy case and all. I also learned that the Reverso was originally designed for polo players way back in 1931, so it has a sports watch heart. That part was a surprise, especially considering how classy it looks today. It works great with denim and sneakers. I never thought about it that way, but that makes it even cooler, in my opinion.
Next, I focused on the design. I wanted to get the case size similar to the 1931 original. That was the vibe I was going for. Then came the dial and the hands. I spent hours just staring at pictures, trying to get the details right. The blue dial is what I went for. There are other dial colors, but the blue is what I had on hand.
I got some basic watchmaking tools and started tinkering. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. It was super tricky. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things started to take shape. It was like putting together a tiny, intricate puzzle. There were definitely some frustrating moments, but I pushed through. It was not perfect, but I was determined to get it done.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally had something that looked like a Reverso Tribute Monoface. It wasn’t perfect, obviously. It didn’t have the actual turning around feature, but it had the right overall look and feel, especially with the rectangular case. I even managed to get the hands moving, which was a huge win. It actually told the time!
All in all, it was a really rewarding experience. I learned a ton about watchmaking, and I have a newfound appreciation for the real deal. Plus, I have a cool, one-of-a-kind watch that I made myself. And you know what? It actually looks pretty decent on my wrist!
Here’s what I learned during this whole process:
- Watchmaking is hard: Seriously, those watchmakers are wizards. It takes a lot of skill and patience.
- Details matter: Even the smallest things can make a big difference in the overall look.
- It’s okay to mess up: I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I learned from them and kept going.
- It’s an unsung emblem of sports watch history: It’s designed for polo players in 1931.
- The satisfaction is worth it: There’s something really special about creating something with your own hands.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a challenge, but it was also a lot of fun. Who knows, maybe I’ll try to replicate another classic watch in the future. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy wearing my homemade Reverso Tribute Monoface. I tried wearing it with a polo shirt, and it looks awesome!
Click to consult