I’m not a huge fan of re-editions, homages and tribute watches because I feel the watch industry should be looking forward with “nods” to the past not exact copies. However, this JLC Ultra-Thin Reverso TT48 is just different. When you put the original next to the tribute you can see that, while it is a copy, it’s bought into the modern era. Kind of like a Singer Re-imagined Porsche. Purists won’t like it but purists don’t like anything!

Released in 2014 the TT48 came with a beautiful silver/white “egg shell” dial, applied indices and blued steel sword hands. Cal. 822/2 (the /2 being for the centre seconds) for me was a must because of the manual wind – I always like to see if the watch is still running. Speaking of manual winding, it is one of the buttery smooth tactile feel with a click that sounds like a symphony orchestra.

Once received, I knew I needed to get a Casa Fagliano strap. I reached out and had mine custom made to suit me and all I can say is it was a fantastic experience dealing with the team from Argentina. When it arrived and I put in on the watch it was like a match made in heaven. If you have a Reverso I would highly recommend them.

This watch was special to me. My family history is Italian and German. This watch was originally sold in Florence, Italy and then somehow made the journey to Cologne, Germany and finally back to Australia so there were some cool links I could connect to. I have since sold the watch to a gentleman in Geneva so in some ways, this watch went on a family history holiday and ended up back home in Switzerland. While I do regret selling it, I had to at the time. I did manage to end up catching up with the gent I sold it to when travelling in Switzerland and was reunited with the watch again over a lovely home cooked meal.

All collections needs a Reverso, or at least “had” a Reverso.