Okay, so I’ve been wanting a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface for a while now. You know, that classic watch with the reversible case? Yeah, it’s pretty awesome. But let’s be real, it’s also pretty darn expensive. So, I decided to try and make my own version. A little DIY project, you could say.
First, I started digging around for info about the watch. Turns out, this Reverso thing was made way back in 1931. It was for polo players who needed a watch that wouldn’t get smashed during their games. They called it “Reverso” because it means “I turn around” in Latin. Pretty clever, huh? And the movement inside a lot of these Monoface models? That’s called the Caliber 822. It’s hand-wound and runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour.
I found out that the original Reverso was a bit bigger, but the Tribute Monoface is supposed to be more like the original size. It’s about 40.1mm long, 24.4mm wide, and just 7.56mm thick. I grabbed a ruler and started measuring out some materials I had lying around. I had this old, beat-up watch case that seemed like it could be the right size and shape. With some serious elbow grease, I started shaping the case, trying to get those dimensions as close as possible. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined.
Winding the real deal? You just turn the crown clockwise. I didn’t have a fancy crown, so I rigged up something similar with some bits and bobs from my toolbox. Not exactly elegant, but it kinda worked. I tried to replicate that Art Deco style with the lines on the case. I am no artist but it started to take shape.
Now, the dial. The Tribute Monoface usually has this clean, simple dial. I wanted to give it my own little twist, so I went for a silver opaline dial with those nice hour markers. No numbers on this baby. I had an old watch face that I salvaged, and with some careful painting, I think I got the look I was going for. It took a while, and I messed up a few times, but eventually, it started looking decent. It’s not as good as the original, of course, but it’s mine.
- Sourcing Parts: I started by raiding my junk drawers and old electronics.
- Case Work: This took the longest. Lots of measuring, cutting, and filing to get the right shape.
- Movement Mimicry: I couldn’t make a real movement, but I made something that looked like it could tick.
- Dial Design: Painting the dial was tricky. I used tiny brushes and a lot of patience.
- Assembly: Putting it all together was like solving a puzzle. Some parts fit perfectly, others needed…persuasion.
It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But hey, I made it myself. It’s got that Reverso vibe, that classic look. And you know what? It actually kinda tells the time, more or less. If you squint.
The real Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface is a beautiful, high-end watch, there is no question about that. My little homemade version? Not so much. But it was a fun project, and I learned a lot. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real thing. Until then, I’ll be wearing my little creation with pride. It’s a reminder that you don’t always need a ton of money to enjoy something special. Sometimes, a little creativity and a lot of hard work can get you pretty far.
It took me quite a few tries but I kept on going. It was a bit frustrating but once I finished it was worth it.
So yeah, that’s the story of my little Reverso project. It’s rough around the edges, but it’s mine. Hope you enjoyed my little adventure!
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