A high-end Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre has been the official timekeeper of one of the most popular superhero characters, Batman, for seventeen years. The collaboration between the brand from Le Sentier and Batman movie franchise continued for the recently released sequel The Dark Knight Rises. In the new movie, the final part of the trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan, the famous billionaire and crime-fighter sports Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grand Date timepiece. Additionally, the Swiss brand has prepared a special edition of Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 which has an engraved bat-shield, the symbol of the superhero, on its swindling back.
JLC’s presence in the movies about Batman started almost two decades ago, in Batman Forever which was released in 1995, directed by Joel Schumaher, while Val Kilmer starred in the role of Bruce Wayne. The first timepiece by Jaeger-LeCoultre that was seen in the movie franchise was Reverso Grande Taille timekeeper which was clearly seen in several scenes of the film. However there was a catch, since the watch was actually portrayed as a communication gadget which the main character. Instead of the actual dial of the timekeeper, the viewers of movie theatres could see people with whom Batman was talking (for example his butler Alfred). Needles to say, this sort of function is not really supported in Reverso Grande Taille. Still, the connoisseurs of watches were able to recognize the famous rectangular shaped Art Deco case (this time made from pink gold) featured in the Reverso series. As a tribute to the third installment of the modern-day film series about Batman, the brand launched the limited series of the timepiece which had lacquered engraving of the superheroes logo on the back (which can be flipped to the front, as it is the case for all the watches from the Reverso series, as its name suggests).
Jaeger-LeCoultre "The Dark Knight Rises" Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931
JLC in the Dark Knight Trilogy
The third Batman movie was the last one in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher series (Tim Burton directed the first two films and produced Batman Forever), but this was not the end of the story about the Gotham’s protector. In 2005, Christopher Nolan took over as a director and the first movie in the new trilogy was released. This time, the role of Batman was taken over by Christian Bale and the story got much more serious and darker tone which was repeated once again in the highly successful sequel The Dark Knight three years later. Even though the cast have changed, as well as the whole atmosphere of the story, one thing remained the same. In both movies, the main character continued wearing Reverso Grande Taille timepiece.
Jaeger LeCoultre Grande Reverso Grande Taille Watch in 1995's "Batman Begins"
In the latest movie about the Batman, the highly anticipated The Dark Knight Rises which is the final chapter of the Nolan’s trilogy and which was released this July, Bruce Wayne wears JLC’s Reverso Grand Date watch. In addition, the epic conclusion of the tale is also marked with the release of the special limited edition Reverso Grande Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 timekeeper. Just like it was the case for the first timepiece that Jaeger-LeCoultre released for the first collaboration of the franchise, these new models also feature Batman’s logo which is only visible once the case of the watch is swiveled. In a way, this is perfectly suitable for a character with a secret alter-ego. These watches are currently exhibited at the watchmaker’s boutiques in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Geneva and London, but are not really available for sale as such. However, since the case of each Reverso model can be made with personalized engraving, one can simply buy a JLC Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 timepiece and choose a bat-shield as its decoration.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille Watch in 2005's "Batman Forever"
After the story about the collaboration of JLC and Batman series, let us reveal more technical details about the basic versions of three watches that were used in the movies, or made as tributes to them.
Reverso Grande Taille Watch
The initial model used in the movies was Reverso Grande Taille watch (with the reference number 2702421). This product with Art Deco design is fitted into a pink gold rectangular and reversible case, and includes the manufacturer’s proprietary caliber 822 hand-wound mechanical movement. The mechanism consists of 134 components and integrates 21 jewels in its construction. It runs on the frequency of 21,600 vph, while its single barrel provides power storage of around 45 hours. Reverso Grend Taille by JLC is made with a silvered guilloche dial with baton hands and a small seconds counter on the bottom. As for the attachment, it comes with an alligator leather strap that fastens with a double folding buckle.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille Watch
Reverso Grande Date Watch
The Batman’s watch in the last movie is Reverso Grande Date timepiece (with the reference number 3002401) which is distinguished with an oversized and immediately notable date display, as well as with an impressive power reserve that lasts for amazing eight days. Once again, the watch is made with a pink gold Reverso case. However, the mechanism of choice in this instance is JLC’s hand-winding mechanical Calibre 875 which is more complex (with 218 parts), has 25 jewels and works at the higher frequency of 28,800 vph. This movement incorporates two barrels and therefore has a much more lasting power reserve that even exceeds a week. The remaining power is also in this case shown with a separate indication.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Date Watch
Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931
The homage to the end of the Nolan’s trilogy is Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to 1931 timekeeper (reference 2788570) which is, unlike two previous models, constructed with a stainless steel case. This model shares most of its traits with Reverso Grande Taille and even has the same type of manually wound caliber 822 which is appropriate for its slim case, since it features the thickness of just 2.94 mm. Naturally, this model is thinner than the first watch. More precise, while Reverso Grande Taille has the thickness of 9.5 mm, the case of Reverso Grande Taille is 7.25 mm thick. The other case dimensions are equal for all three models, and each of three JLC watches used in the Batman franchise have housings that are 46 mm high and 27.55 wide. The latest product that bears the superhero’s symbol on the reversible case shows only hours and minutes, unlike the previous two models. Another shared characteristic that is the same for all three watches is supported water resistance of 30 meters.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Tribute to 1931 Watch
