Jaeger LeCoultre – Reverso Classic Ref. 141.001.5 Steel & Gold Mechanical Watch – Cal. 846

The Reverso was born in 1931 from a patent filed by French engineer René-Alfred Chauvot — a sliding, reversible case originally comprising 23 parts.

When Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to revive the model in the early 1980s, after decades out of production, there were no original technical drawings and no surviving case maker to consult.

The task of recreating the Reverso fell to Daniel Wild, a JLC engineer who began work in 1981. Wild’s challenge was not simply to reproduce the case but to improve it: the original was not water-resistant, could only pivot at one end of the cradle, and was not built for modern production standards. The result, completed by 1985, was a new “Classique” case containing 55 components — more than double the original — that could pivot at any point along the cradle and was, for the first time, water-resistant.

This ref. 141.001.5 belongs to the earliest production of this revived Reverso Classique.

This Reverso has a solid 18kt gold inner case mounted in a stainless steel slider — a two-metal construction that is less commonly encountered than the full-steel versions. Both cases are in very good condition. The reverse gold caseback has a light engraving on one corner. The crown is original.

The sapphire crystal is in perfect condition.

The silvered two-tone dial is in very good condition — there is a smaller oxidation on the upper edge; the remainder of the dial is clean and intact. The hands are original.

The movement is a JLC Cal. 846 manual-wind calibre an in-house manual-wind movement introduced in 1975, which traces a direct lineage through the earlier JLC calibres 460 (1942) and the 490 (1960).

It is an oval-shaped form movement — specifically designed to maximise the available space within the Reverso’s rectangular geometry. It measures just 2.9 mm in height, with 93 components, 18 jewels, and a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The thinness is not incidental: the Reverso case must accommodate a sliding cradle, a reversing inner case, and a movement, all within a profile of approximately 7 mm.

The Cal. 846 remains in production today — it is the movement in the current Reverso Classic and Reverso Lady — making it one of the longest-serving calibres in the JLC catalogue, now entering its sixth decade.

The watch is fitted with a new leather strap and its original 18kt gold ardillon clasp.

This watch has been serviced in-house and is in good working order. It is delivered with the original 1980’s guarantee,  our six-month guarantee and our originality certificate. Worldwide shipping is available and inquiries are welcome.