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Case

Reverso reversible carrier and cradle

Probable

The Reverso case is two parts: a carrier fixed to the strap and a case body that slides within it and pivots through 180 degrees to present its solid back outward. Designed in 1931 so that a polo player could turn the crystal away from a mallet. It is a mechanism with tolerances, not a decorative hinge.

Part reference

Brand
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Material
Steel, gold or platinum
Introduced
1931
Identifying marks
The case slides with even resistance, pivots freely through a full half turn, and locks positively in both positions with no lateral play. The carrier's rails are cleanly machined and the case body seats flush within them. Gadroons — the fluted lines at the top and bottom of the case — are crisp and even.

Documented variations

Classification

FactoryDocumented as shipped from the factory for this reference and period.PeriodNot original to this watch, but correct for its production period.ServiceFitted by the manufacturer's own service network. Not a defect.AftermarketThird-party part. Affects originality, not authenticity.ModifiedGenuine parts in a configuration the factory did not sell. Affects originality and value, not authenticity.CounterfeitDeceptive reproduction intended to pass as genuine.UnknownEvidence on file does not settle the question.

  • Correct carrier and cradle action

    FactoryProbable

    Whole production

    Slides, pivots and locks cleanly. This is where reproductions fail, because the mechanism needs tolerances rather than a shape — and it is testable in seconds with no tools, which makes it the first check on the model.

  • Worn or loose carrier

    FactoryProbable

    Whole production

    Decades of use wear the rails and produce play. A condition observation on an old watch rather than a finding — but it removes the mechanism's action as a check, which is worth recording because it weakens what follows.

Open questions

OpenComponent compatibilityMedium

Reverso case generations and their dating

Can the Reverso's case generations — carrier construction, gadroon profile, case dimensions — be ordered and tied to production periods?

Scope The case is the model's defining component and carries most of its value, and the catalog can currently describe how to test its action without being able to place a given case in a generation. A generational mapping would turn a functional check into a dating one.

Documented on these references

Provenance of this record

Sources & Evidence

Secondary sourceCollector research

Jaeger-LeCoultre collector research on Reverso generations and caliber supply

Collector communities and specialist dealers

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceProbable
Primary sourceManufacturer documentation

Jaeger-LeCoultre — collection and caliber specifications

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceProbable
View source ↗

Last verified: Not yet reviewed