Alright, let’s talk about this Imitation Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Reverso Tribute Monoface Classic Style watch I’ve been tinkering with. This whole journey started because, well, I’ve always fancied a Reverso, I found it is a sports watch by heart. I mean, who hasn’t? It’s a classic, a real mature person’s watch, and guess what? I finally felt mature enough to rock one. I saw others wearing it with denim, sneakers, even a polo shirt. I bought this Tribute in green on 11/13/2011 for USD $8750.
So, I started digging around. I found it is inspired by the Latin for “I turn around”, which is pretty cool. I spent hours going down the rabbit hole. I found forums, articles, you name it. One guy was asking for advice on the large JLC Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds, and that got me thinking about the different models. And I’ve seen a lot of variations from materials to gems and dials. The real deal, the authentic JLC, is a whole other level. The price tag reflects that – US$8,900 or HK$68,000 was mentioned somewhere. That’s way out of my league, but it’s fun to dream, right? I began to think if I can make an imitation one myself.
Then, I stumbled upon this imitation JLC Reverso. I thought, “This is it!” It’s got that fancy watch vibe without the insane price. The Reverso was originally made to withstand the rigours of polo matches, which is wild when you think about it. This imitation captures those Art Deco lines pretty well.
First, I had to get my hands on the parts, I spent weeks tracking down the right components. I ordered the parts online, waiting was a pain. Once they arrived, the real fun began. I laid everything out on my workbench – the case, the dial, the hands, the movement. It looked like a disassembled watch, naturally.
Putting it together was tricky. I started with the movement. It was like a tiny, intricate puzzle. I carefully placed it into the case, making sure everything lined up perfectly. Next came the dial, it was a bit nerve-wracking. One slip, and it could be scratched. I secured it in place, and it was starting to look like a real watch. The hands were next. These were super delicate. I used tweezers to position them on the dial, and after a few tries, they were on. I flipped the case over, checked the movement. It was ticking! Success.
The final step was the strap. I opted for a classic leather one, which I thought suited the watch perfectly. Attaching it was straightforward enough, and there it was – my very own Imitation JLC Reverso. I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
Finally
- It’s not the real deal, but it looks great.
- I learned a ton about watches.
- It’s a fun project, and I’m happy with the result.
This whole experience has been a blast. It’s satisfying to create something with your own hands, even if it’s just an imitation. Plus, I’ve got a cool-looking watch to show for it. If you’re into watches and looking for a fun project, I’d say give it a shot. It’s definitely worth the effort!
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