The JLC Reverso DuoFace has arrived and I am happy with it: the process of buying it went smoothly and now it has arrived the watch itself is very impressive.
Purchase was through a Trusted Dealer on here, sead1999, who I recommend wholeheartedly. I first emailed sead1999 expressing an interest in the JLC and requested some pictures. Those arrived, large and clear, by email within 24 hours. They showed the watch and its straps in detail. There then followed a short exchange of emails where I asked about the technical specifications of the watch and some questions about how to purchase. Those emails were answered within 24 hours of me sending them. The answers were brief but always clear and concise. The watch was advertised with a price in $ but sead1999 has a UK bank account and so can accept payment in pounds sterling, and was quite happy for me to establish a suitable exchange rate. Once we had agreed on the price, I made the payment and that was acknowledged a few hours later by email. Three days later the watch arrived by registered post, well padded in a protective and waterproof envelope. I couldn't have asked for a smoother first transaction to begin my entry into the world of replicas.
So, how's the watch?
Impressive.
I don't have an original Reverso DuoFace to compare it with directly, but comparing it with photographs from books and catalogues it does look pretty close to the original. The only obvious tell isn't actually obvious at all when the watch is being worn: the replica doesn't have the small slider on the case to adjust the second face. However, that can only be seen when the watch face is actually open to be reversed, at all other times it is hidden. The replica actually seems better than the real version in the respect that one face can be adjusted for time by pulling out the crown to the first position, then the second face is adjusted by pulling out the crown further to a second position. Neat ! The fit and finish of both faces and the case are excellent, crisply executed and highly polished with no scratches of machining marks. It looks like a luxury watch, even when I viewed it under a stereomicroscope. Winding was smooth and positive with no notchiness or vagueness. I believe the movement has one power train to drive both faces. So far it seems to be keeping very good time. Being able to set each to a different time zone is very useful !
The only 'fault' I can find with it is very minor and concerns the strap rather than the watch. I find the deployant clasp a little stiff and awkward to use, but that's probably partly due to me not being a great fan of them - I prefer a simple buckled strap - and in any case I expect it will ease off over time through use.
All in all, I think it is a great watch and was a very simple, problem free buying process.
