Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso “Classique Medium” in Steel, Ref. 250.8.86

A very fine example of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso in steel, here in its mechanical, hand-wound version and in the so-called "Classique Medium" size – in our opinion the most elegant, unisex and versatile.
The silver dial with black painted Arabic numeral hour markers is topped with a pair of blued steel "sword" hands and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
The movement that powers it, the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 846/1, still used today by the famous Sentier manufacture, is fine, reliable, and has been completely overhauled by one of our experienced watchmakers and operates within the strictest tolerances.
We present this watch on an Amplitude° ostrich leather strap accompanied by a steel pin buckle.
The timeless Reverso "Classique Medium" in steel, understated and elegant, suitable for both men's and women's wrists!

The Reverso was created in the early 1930s, born from a practical need encountered on polo fields in colonial India. The original idea for this watch is attributed to César de Trey, a Swiss businessman who, after observing British officers complaining about the fragility of their watches during polo matches, proposed an ingenious solution: a watch whose dial could be reversed, thus protecting it from shocks.

De Trey approached Jacques-David LeCoultre, then head of the LeCoultre & Cie manufacture, to bring this vision to life. The concept was entrusted to René-Alfred Chauvot, a designer who patented the reversible case in 1931. The result was the Reverso, a watch that combined innovative engineering with aesthetic elegance. The reversible rectangular case immediately became a symbol of refined functionality, meeting the needs of polo players while embodying the Art Deco spirit of the era.

This specific model, produced circa 1990, retains the essential features of the very first Reverso watches, with a stainless steel case, elegant dimensions, a simple dial with painted indices and blued steel sword hands.

The steel case, preserved in excellent condition, bears the reference number (250.8.86) and serial number (166xxxx) on the back, and houses the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 846/1 hand-wound mechanical movement, still in use today. This movement is renowned for its precision and robustness, two essential qualities for a watch designed to withstand the rigors of polo. While designed for practical use, the movement of this Reverso is also an example of Jaeger-LeCoultre's horological expertise as a specialist in ultra-thin calibers.

The new gold-colored ostrich leather strap perfectly complements this watch, in our opinion. Indeed, ostrich straps have long been Jaeger-LeCoultre's preferred choice for its Reverso collection – and rightly so: the contrast of textures and colors with the watch itself is perfect, both sporty and elegant. Our example is fitted with a steel pin buckle.

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso “Classique Medium” is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The rectangular stainless steel case rotates perfectly and shows no engraving or signs of de-engraving. The original surface finishes—some sandblasted, some mirror-polished, and some brushed/satin-finished—are preserved. The reference and serial numbers on the case back are perfectly legible and clear. The winding crown, bearing the "JL" logo, is in perfect condition.
The silver dial is perfectly preserved, without stains or discoloration, as are the blued steel “sword” hands.
The hand-wound mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 846/1, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and operates within the strictest tolerances.
The Amplitude° bracelet in ostrich leather is new, and comes with a Jaeger-LeCoultre steel pin buckle in perfect condition.

All the watches available on our website have been meticulously inspected by our team of experts to guarantee their authenticity and originality.

All our watches are systematically checked for mechanical function and precision, and undergo a complete overhaul if necessary.

Every watch sold is covered by a two-year warranty.

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