Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran Sport 290.8.60 automatic 27 x 43 mm Full Set 2005

The pitch

Initially designed in 1931 for British Army polo players in the Indian colonies, the Reverso watch would very quickly rise to the status of a watch icon and exert its allure far beyond the polo fields. Although originally a sports watch, the Reverso was overtaken in function and trend in the 1990s.

Jaeger-LeCoultre then built on the Reverso to rebuild the brand with Manufacture movements and complications, and so developed a sportier Reverso to recapture that spirit. The result was the Gran'Sport, and was a radical change for the time: the new Reverso reference 290 was equipped with an automatic movement! In addition, the case was slightly larger than the Reverso Grande Taille that had dominated sales since its debut in 1991, with semi-integrated straps. The case was more curved than any of the previous Reverso models, closer to a "tonneau" shape with increased water resistance. The dial, meanwhile, was decidedly sporty, with large numerals and luminescent indexes.

This Gran'Sport line remained on sale until the mid-2000s but unfortunately never met with the success it was expected to have. It was an attempt to bring "sport" back into the Reverso line, just as Audemars Piguet had done with the Royal Oak Offshore line five years earlier.

Getting to know each other

Today we present the three-hand automatic version of the Gran'Sport! We find of course, the so characteristic shape of case (27x43mm), slightly barrel with rounded edges, which differs from the famous Art-deco rectangle of the traditional Reverso.

This elegant "toolwatch" displays a white dial with an embossed texture, sword-shaped hour and minute hands and a central second hand with luminescent red termination. For perfect symmetry, the date is placed at 6 o'clock in a discreet window. This reference 290.8.60 is dressed with an integrated steel bracelet, giving it that sporty-chic feel we love so much about this model!

Finally, on the mechanical side, we find the automatic caliber JLC 960R that powered a large number of sport models within the Manufacture in the 2000s. It offers around forty hours of power reserve.

The Package

This Reverso Gran'Sport is in excellent condition. It will be delivered to you Full Set with its certificate dated 2005. It has been authenticated and checked by our watchmakers and as such benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1 year warranty.