1935-1938 model 210 vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Art Deco watch, cal 410 movement serviced, excellent and original.
 
The famous reversible polo watch, turn officers watch, come Art Deco design legend. The story of the Reverso is well covered and makes the Reverso one of the best known designs in the world of watches.
 
This is the reference 201, a model that dates from between 1935-1938.
 
It’s a rare and sought-after model which has seen strong sales results in the last 10 years, particularly with the black dial and Arabic radium numerals.
In Antiquorum’s May 2015 Auction in Geneve, one such example sold for 87,500 Swiss Francs. It had the same black dial and Arabic radium numeral design. I
t also happened to be owned by General Douglas Mac Arthur, the famous American military leader, which no doubt enabled such an outstanding auction result.
 
It is a very good example, in original condition, unpolished, with an excellent dial and all original Radium lume. It is keeping time to within +20 seconds a day, having been recently serviced. 
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is in very good condition for the age. There are no areas of unsightly patina on the dial. The minute track is very clean, following the rectangular shape of the watches case and has developed a slightly cream tone. The sub second dial is inset and is also rectangular, matching the minute track neatly. It marks 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 seconds with Arabic numerals, with dash markers for the 5 second intervals inbetween. The signing is all clear and in very good condition. The numerals are Arabic with original Radium lume infill. There is some loss of lume visible on the top of the 4 O’clock marker. The signing of Jaeger LeCoultre Fabrique En Suisse, as well as Swiss on the dial is very clear and original in a beautiful font.
 
Hands:
The hands are original, but are in a corroded condition. They are Stainless, in the "Dagger" style with the original radium lume in-fill.
 
Glass:
The crystal appears to be original, fitting the profile of the watch very well. It has some very light and small scratches, but no unsightly or distracting marks.
 
Crown:
The original crown in good condition with neat coin edge finish. It has light surface scratching consistent with age.
 
Sides and front of fixed/solid case:
The bezel is in good condition, with the tri-stepped design at the top and bottom of the top of the case. There light surface scratching, with a couple of larger light scratches. The sides are also in good condition, with light surface scratching. There are some slightly deeper, but not unsightly scratches, were attempts have been made to part the case.
 
The back of the fixed/solid case:
It is Stainless steel with an original grained finish. The graining in very good condition. All text is clearly legible and in very good condition, with serial number matching the inner casing.
 
Bezel and case sides:
The case is in good condition, with some light surface scratching but no deep scratching. This is an original finish and it has not been polished.
 
Caseback:
The case back on the Reverso plays a central part in the watches design, forming the front when the face is flipped. As a consequence of this, they can see significant wear. This example has scratching associated with age, with a couple of deeper marks. However, it does remain unpolished and original, wearing its aging. It is perfectly possible to have this refurbished, but that is a decision that can be made by its next owner.
 
Inside case back:
The inside of the case back is signed: Brevete S.G.D.G. BREV.DEP LIVE.PAYS PATENTS APPL. FOR “41108” It is in very good original condition, with peerlage finishing.
 
Strap:
A new genuine leather strap with Stainless Buckle, neither of which are Jaeger Lecoultre.
 
Movement:
The movement is in excellent original condition and is a 15 jewel, manually wound calibre 410 by Le-Coultre. It is original to the watch and has the movement serial number is “65746”. The movement has been extremely well treated, with the screwheads having sharp slots with minimal scratching.
The dial side has beautiful peerage finishing, whilst there is a cut out to see the pallet-fork operate. It is keeping time to within +20 seconds a day, having been recently serviced.
 
Movement casing:
The movement casing is in excellent condition, with original grained finish and few signs of wear. It has a cut out for the stem release, as well as regulating. These clever little touches highlight the intelligence integrated into the design. This makes these watches a joy for the owner and the watchmakers who work on them.
 
Case dimensions
Case width: 22.8mm
Case width with crown: 24mm
Case length: 33mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 38.5mm
Lug width: 17mm