Holiday Watches? Look No Further than Jaeger LeCoultre

Well, ’tis the season yet again, and at least a few of us have new watches on the brain as we creep further into the holiday season. While overlooked by some, Jaeger LeCoultre remains a powerhouse in the watchmaking world, delivering a wide range of watches for just about all types of horological enthusiasts. Dressy? No problem. Something tool-focused that can handle the elements? Done deal. While many of the industry’s maisons have slowly constrained their offerings to focus on a particular hero piece or three, JLC is one of those brands that knows that there’s a benefit to keeping the collection broad (without diluting quality in the least). Whether as a gift for a loved one, or a way to treat yourself this holiday season, the assortment below will easily satisfy.

Reverso Tribute Small Seconds

jaeger lecoultre reverso tribute green
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We hate the term iconic as much as the next self respecting watch enthusiasts, but the Reverso is one of those few watches that genuinely earn the title. First penned in the ’30s as the first true sports watch, the flippable face of the Reverso was designed to protect its delicate crystal during polo matches. Fast forward into the modern era, and the Reverso is now a quintessential dress watch that stands out in an industry otherwise obsessed with conventional round cases. The Tribute Small Seconds in Green is a recent addition to the line, bringing the trending hue to the brand’s most well-known collection. ($10,800)

Master Control Chronograph Calendar

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Still somewhat dressy and traditional in appearance, the Master Control Chronograph Calendar is one of those watches that could easily be someone’s “one and done” collection. Between its annual calendar and chronograph complications it ticks off two of the more utility focused time displays one would use on a day-to-day basis. Measuring 40mm across and a hair over 12mm thick, it has enough visual presence to not be relegated to formalwear, allowing it to hop from day to night, and from office cocktail to weekend errands. It’s powered by the brand’s self-winding calibre 759, and has a daily life-friendly 5 bar (or 50m) of water resistance. ($19,500)

Polaris Mariner Memovox

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While less well known than the Reverso, the Polaris Memovox is yet another piece of Jaeger LeCoultre history, and a watch whose historical references are highly coveted. The collection was rebooted in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Polaris, and more recently this blue fumé dial reference was introduced to complement the growing collection. For those less familiar, the Memovox is JLC’s mechanical alarm complication, allowing its wearer to set an audible ringing alarm without fussing with their smartphone or bedside alarm clock. Staying true to the roots of the original Polaris Memovox (and the Memovox Deep Sea that preceeded it), the Mariner Memovox is a proper dive watch, fitted with an internal timing bezel, and is rated to 300m of water resistance. ($22,600)

Reverso Classic Duettto

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As the Reverso evolved over the years, so did Jaeger LeCoultre’s technical prowess. Once focused on the ability to shield one side of the watch, it wasn’t long before watch movement engineers figured out ways to make use of both sides of the Reverso to display various time indications. In the case of the modestly sized Duetto, the time indication is the same, however the dial executions are vastly different. It’s a rather literal “transition from day to night” watch, with a partial radial guilloché pattern set on both silver and navy blue dials. ($17,900)

Master Ultra Thin Moon

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We opened with an icon, and we close with a classic. The Master Ultra Thin Moon ticks all of the right classic dress watch boxes — slim, refined, discreet, and timeless. The compact 36mm dress watch measures less than 10mm thick, tucking under any cuff with ease. Its silvered grey sunray-brushed dial provides just the right backdrop to its moonphase and date indication at six o’clock. With the evolution of office style in the last couple of years, some would argue that the place of the conventional dress watch is fading, but those more sartorially inclined know that dressing up will never go out of style. ($12,600)