Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph in Full Pink Gold: A Sporty Complication Gets Noble Treatment
Pink Gold Everywhere — Case, Dial, and Movement
Jaeger-LeCoultre has revisited its Reverso Tribute Chronograph with a striking full pink gold treatment. Limited to 250 pieces at USD 66,000, this edition pairs the 18k pink gold case with a laser-engraved gold dial, pink gold movement bridges, and two strap options — making it the most opulent version of the Reverso chronograph to date.
Historical Significance
The Reverso Chronograph holds a special place in watchmaking history. First introduced in 1996, it was the first manually wound integrated chronograph developed in the post-quartz era, marking the return to classic mechanical watchmaking. The 2023 Tribute Chronograph modernised this legacy with a Duoface design and evolved calibre 860 movement.
This new pink gold edition deepens the connection to the 1996 original, which featured gold-coated bridges — now replaced with solid pink gold plates and bridges.
Dual-Face Design
The closed front dial is laser-engraved with fine horizontal lines on a solid pink gold base, with pink gold hands and applied markers. A black railroad minute track provides contrast. Flip the case and the reverse dial reveals the chronograph mechanism — the central 60-second track, retrograde 30-minute counter, and the openworked calibre 860 visible through the skeletonised bridges.
The rectangular pushers on the right side are integrated into the case profile, maintaining the Reverso's clean Art Deco lines despite the chronograph complication.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 49.4mm × 29.9mm × 11.14mm — 18k pink gold, polished with gadroons |
| Dial (Front) | Solid pink gold, laser-engraved horizontal lines, pink gold hands and markers |
| Dial (Reverse) | Openworked chronograph display, retrograde 30-min counter |
| Movement | Calibre 860 — hand-wound integrated chronograph, column-wheel, horizontal clutch, 300 components, pink gold bridges |
| Power Reserve | 52 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4Hz) |
| Straps | Tan calf leather (Casa Fagliano) + black alligator leather |
| Reference | Q389256J |
| Limited Edition | 250 pieces |
| Price | EUR 72,000 / USD 66,000 / CHF 61,000 |
Design Meets Complication
At 11.14mm thick, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph remains surprisingly slim for a watch with a full chronograph complication and a reversible case architecture. The two straps — a tan calf leather from polo bootmaker Casa Fagliano and a classic black alligator — offer versatility from casual to formal settings.
The column-wheel and horizontal clutch architecture of calibre 860 ensures precise chronograph start/stop/reset operations while maintaining the elegant proportions that define the Reverso line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the 1996 Reverso Chronograph historically significant?
A: It was the first manually wound integrated chronograph developed after the quartz crisis, marking the beginning of the mechanical watchmaking renaissance in the 1990s.
Q: What is a retrograde 30-minute counter?
A: Unlike a traditional circular sub-dial, the retrograde counter uses a hand that sweeps along an arc and resets to zero after completing its 30-minute cycle, providing a distinctive visual element.
Q: Are both straps included?
A: Yes, each watch comes with both the tan Casa Fagliano calf leather strap and the black alligator leather strap, both featuring interchangeable systems.
Sources: Monochrome Watches, Jaeger-LeCoultre Official
Discover more: Reverso Collection | Chronograph Guide