Cazador

Jaeger-LeCoultre · Family: Reverso

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Large Duoface Q3958420

The Reverso Classic Large Duoface (Q3958420) is the double-dial version of watchmaking's most iconic reversible case: one dial shows local time, and flipping the case 180° reveals a second time zone with a day/night indicator. Cazador does not yet have enough verified price observations (n=0) to publish a reliable range. The differential fact: the case doesn't swivel on ordinary hinges but slides on a lateral rail patented in 1931, originally built to survive being knocked around during a polo match.

Specifications

Reference
Q3958420
Collection
Reverso Classic Large Duoface
Case shape
Rectangular, reversible (sliding lateral rail)
Case material
Stainless steel
Dimensions
Approx. 42.8 x 26.0 mm [UNVERIFIED — pending confirmation against current official spec sheet]
Thickness
~11 mm [UNVERIFIED]
Movement
Caliber 854 (JLC), manual winding [UNVERIFIED — caliber number not cross-checked against source documentation for this fiche]
Power reserve
45 hours [UNVERIFIED]
Function
Duoface: second time zone with day/night indicator on the reverso dial
Crystal
Sapphire
Water resistance
30 m / 3 ATM [UNVERIFIED]
Strap
Leather, steel deployant buckle
Year of introduction (this reference)
[UNVERIFIED — no confirmed source in this input]

Price & trend

Insufficient data

0 of 5 price observations needed to show a reliable range

Insufficient market data: Cazador currently holds 0 verified PricePoints for ref. Q3958420 (internal minimum threshold: 5 observations). We do not publish a price range, trend chart, or percentiles until enough listing data from dealers, auction houses, or verified user contributions is available.

History

The Reverso was born in 1931 at the request of César de Trey, a Swiss businessman who watched British officers playing polo in India and noticed their watches couldn't survive the impact of the game. De Trey commissioned a case that could protect itself: French engineer René-Alfred Chauvot patented the sliding, reversible case mechanism that Jaeger-LeCoultre has manufactured ever since, and which remains, nearly a century later, mechanically almost identical in principle to the original. Flipping the case on its lateral rail isn't a decorative gesture — it shields the crystal when the watch isn't being worn, and over time JLC put the reverso side (originally plain and engravable) to further use. That's how the Duoface family emerged in the 1990s: instead of leaving the back blank or engraved, a full second dial with its own hour-and-minute train was installed, aimed at travelers who needed to track two time zones without a conventional GMT hand. The Night & Day version later added a day/night indicator on the rear dial, avoiding the classic mix-up between 3pm and 3am. Within the current Reverso catalog, it's worth distinguishing three families by size and purpose: the Reverso Classic (closest in proportions to the original 1931 case, slimmer and dressier), the Grande Reverso (a larger case built to house complications like Tribute or Duoface pieces with better legibility) and the Reverso Tribute (a heritage line that re-issues historical codes with period-correct finishing and details). The Classic Large Duoface sits precisely at that intersection: it keeps the Classic's slim Art Deco elegance while using the 'Large' case, with enough room for the second dial without losing the silhouette that made the Reverso a symbol since the 1930s.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a used Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface cost?

Cazador doesn't yet have enough verified price observations for this reference (n=0, internal minimum 5). Once we accumulate dealer and auction data, we'll publish a price range, trend, and update date directly on this page.

What's the difference between the Reverso Classic and the Grande Reverso?

The Classic is slimmer and closer in proportion to the original 1931 case, meant for dressier wear. The Grande Reverso has a larger case, designed to accommodate complications (like Duoface) with better legibility on both dials.

Why does the Reverso case flip over?

It was designed in 1931 for British officers playing polo in India: flipping the case on its lateral rail protected the crystal during the match, exposing the reverso side — originally plain — instead, with no risk of breakage.

What is the Duoface complication for?

It adds a full second dial on the case's rear face, running an independent time zone. It's useful for travelers: check local time on the front, then flip the case to read home time (or another zone) on the reverso.

Can you engrave the case back on the Duoface model?

No: unlike the plain-back classic Reverso, where the smooth reverso side is traditionally a canvas for personal engraving, on the Duoface that surface is occupied by the functional second dial, leaving no room to engrave.

Is the Reverso Duoface automatic or manual-wind?

Reverso Duoface models have traditionally used manual-wind movements, consistent with the line's thin case and classic aesthetic. [UNVERIFIED: the exact caliber number for this specific reference has not been cross-checked against source documentation].

What does reference Q3958420 mean in Jaeger-LeCoultre's catalog?

The leading 'Q' is the standard prefix JLC uses across all its modern catalog references; the remaining digits identify the specific model, material, and variant within the Reverso Classic Large Duoface family.