Name: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface (Small Seconds) Q3988482
Brand: Jaeger-LeCoultre
SKU: Q3988482

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds (ref. Q3988482) is the dual-time Reverso, flip the case to read a second timezone with subsidiary seconds. 47×28.3mm steel or pink-gold case, the in-house caliber 854A/2 (hand-wind), and the slightly larger proportions of the Tribute sub-line versus the Classic. It is the Reverso that does the most without breaking the watch's design discipline.

What it is

The original 1931 Reverso protected the dial during polo by rotating into the case carrier. Decades later, watchmakers asked whether the previously-empty back of the case could hold a second dial, and the Duoface was born (the first Reverso Duoface launched 1994). The current Tribute Duoface generation arrived in 2016 with refined case proportions, a hand-wind 854A/2 caliber (one of JLC's most-finished modern dress movements), and dial variants in silver, blue, black, and brown.

Steel and pink-gold cases are standard.

Buying notes

Common things to check: case-back personalization (Reversos are commonly engraved as gifts, the back-of-the-case engraving conflicts with the second dial on a Duoface, so heavily-engraved examples are uncommon; verify any engraving against factory hallmarks); both dials' originality (refinished dials lose the crisp printing and applied-indices definition); case-rotation mechanism (the slide-and-rotate action should be smooth, any grinding or hesitation is a service flag, and on a Duoface this matters more because the rotation aligns the second dial); the second timezone is set via the case-back crown, verify both crowns function independently; strap (JLC's signature alligator with branded buckle).

Market read

Steel Tribute Duoface examples trade in the $9,500-$12,000 range through 2025-2026, against a retail of approximately $13,000-$14,500. Pink-gold variants trade meaningfully higher. The Duoface sits as the most-practical Reverso for a buyer who actually uses the complication; the market is shallower than the Classic but more loyal, examples sell when listed at fair-value but they don't sit.

Authorized-dealer supply is consistently available for new examples.

Service expectations

Service is JLC-direct or through JLC-authorized independents. The caliber 854A/2 is a robust hand-wind; the rotating-case mechanism specifically benefits from periodic professional cleaning, independent watchmakers should be skeptical about attempting it. Service interval is 5-8 years; cost is moderate (low-four-figures).

A JLC service certificate is a meaningful value lift.

Editorial copy is AI-drafted from primary sources and reviewed by Grail Atlas before publication. Where the text is uncertain about a fact, it says so. Email corrections@grailatlas.com if something reads wrong. Signals on this page (community, OSINT) are clearly separated from the editorial sections.

Two complete dials in one case, showing both local time and a second time zone; collectors regard it as the definitive modern Reverso.

Commonmost sought#1 in familyOfficial press photos

Condition affects price

Pre-owned watches trade across a wide condition spectrum. These ranges are typical for the secondary market.

New Old Stock

Unworn example retaining original packaging, tags, and warranty documentation.

+30–50% vs median

Unpolished

Worn but the case has never been polished; original brushed and polished surfaces are intact.

+15–25% vs median

Polished

Case has been professionally or amateur polished at some point; edge definition is softened.

-15 to -5% vs median

Recently Serviced

Movement has been recently serviced with documented service records; case condition varies.

At median

Project

Needs service, has dial or hand issues, non-original parts, or other remediation before daily wear.

-50 to -25% vs median

Full condition grading guide →

Market price

$8,000–$12,000

steel·2026 Q2

Price trend chart coming soon

The Tribute Duoface is the most versatile Reverso with two dials in one case; demand is consistent from collectors who want a single dress watch that can show a second time zone.

Editorial estimate, 2026 Q2. Actual prices vary by condition, date, and box/papers status.

Movement tier: unclassified · caliber JLC Cal. 854A/2: manual-wind with second time zone, 28,800bph, 42h PR, 21j; reversible case Reverso caliber with dual-side display · 42h power reserve

Small case: suits slender wrists (under 6.5 in / 16.5 cm)

28.3 mm case. A compact, elegant wear. Particularly at home on narrower wrists where larger cases can overhang.

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Authentication

Two distinct dials on flip sides with jumping hours on the night face authenticate the Duoface; the night side complication is the primary check

Known issues in the market

Night side jumping hours must jump instantaneously; a gradual transition indicates a different or damaged movement
Day side has traditional hands and indices; night side has jumping hour and retrograde or jumping minutes
Cal. 854A/2 is specific to the Duoface; any other calibre designation is incorrect

Area	What to check	What is correct	Red flag
dial	Night side jumping hours and day side display	Day side: traditional dial with hours and minutes; "Jaeger-LeCoultre" signed; night side: jumping hour display with nocturnal motif; Cal. 854A/2 designation; instantaneous hour jump; night side time shows second time zone	Gradual (non-instantaneous) hour jump on night side; night side without jumping hour complication; single-sided display (standard Reverso, not Duoface); wrong calibre for Duoface
case	Reverso swivel with two dials	Swivel mechanism flips to reveal fully developed second dial on night face; both dials signed and legible; positive click in both positions; carriage proportions consistent with Tribute sizing; crown at 12	Night side that is plain steel (standard Reverso Grand); flip mechanism without positive lock; single-sided case without second dial; crown position inconsistent with Tribute
movement	Cal. 854A/2	"JLC 854A/2" or "Jaeger-LeCoultre 854A/2" engraved; manual-wind movement powering both complications; jumping hour disc mechanism visible if exhibition back present; "Jaeger-LeCoultre" signed	Incorrect calibre; rotor present (manual-wind only); movement not capable of powering both sides independently

Common legitimate replacements

Leather strap is standard; replacement is common on secondary market examples.
Manual winding through the crown should power both dial displays; verify correct crown engagement.

Expert resources: Jaeger-LeCoultre service centers for serial and movement authentication. Hodinkee and Fratello Watches Duoface reviews document the night-side jumping hour mechanism in detail.

Authentication guide

Last reviewed June 2026

The Duoface is the most compelling Reverso configuration because it puts a second time zone on the back dial. Two dial surfaces means two places where replacement or refinishing can occur -- and the aging of both dials must be consistent.

Known reproduction risks

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MEDIUM

Replica Reversos with incorrect back dial text proportions and poorer finishing, often with non-functional or simplified back displays.

Back dial text with incorrect JLC typeface weight or kerning relative to known genuine examples
Poor enamel or lacquer quality on the back dial -- genuine JLC back dials have a specific depth and evenness
Reverso pivot mechanism that does not rotate smoothly in both directions
Front dial guilloché that is printed or shallow rather than genuinely cut

LOW

Single-dial Reverso examples presented as Duoface by attaching an aftermarket back dial.

Back dial that does not have the 24-hour scale with Roman numerals -- a single-dial Reverso back is plain or engine-turned only
Movement function that does not include the 24-hour complication

Dial variants by era

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Era	Description	Identifiers
Current Tribute Duoface (Q3908420 and variants)	Front: white lacquer with guilloché border, blued steel hands. Back: anthracite/slate night-face with 24-hour display.	Front dial: white lacquer centre with applied guilloché border -- the two surfaces meet at a precise edge Front dial: "Jaeger-LeCoultre" in correct JLC typeface, applied or printed (varies by generation) Back dial: dark grey or anthracite with Roman numerals and 24-hour scale Back dial: "Duoface" text and JLC text in correct proportions Both dials: aging should be consistent with each other and with the case condition

Service part flags

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Front dial

Original: White lacquer centre with crisp edge transition to the guilloché chapter ring. The lacquer surface should have a consistent, even depth of white with no cloudiness. Applied indices should cast consistent micro-shadows under directional light.

Replacement tells

Lacquer surface that appears too fresh or uniform on a stated aged example -- lacquer develops micro-surface variations over time
Guilloché pattern that fades or becomes shallower near the chapter ring edges
Applied indices with inconsistent height or shadow depth relative to each other
Front dial aging that is significantly younger-looking than the back dial on the same example

Back dial

Original: Dark anthracite or slate dial with 24-hour Roman numeral scale. Should match the aging character of the front dial. The guilloché or engine-turned decoration should be consistent and crisp.

Replacement tells

Back dial that appears significantly newer than the front dial -- both dials age together inside the same case
Any color variation inconsistent with the stated variant (the night face should be dark, not charcoal-grey transitioning to black)
Roman numeral printing that is blurred or inconsistent in line weight under loupe

Reverso chassis

Original: The pivot mechanism allows the case to rotate within the carrier. The rotation should be smooth and precise with no lateral play at any pivot angle. The locking snap at 0 and 180 degrees should be firm and positive.

Replacement tells

Any lateral play in the rotating case indicates worn pivot bearings -- a service item
Rotation that catches or requires unusual force
Snap lock at face or back position that does not engage positively or releases too easily

Case back markings

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Current Tribute Duoface

The back of the watch IS a dial -- there is no conventional caseback accessible without disassembly
Movement is accessed from the front dial side only by a watchmaker
Cal. 854A/2 is identified by the small seconds on the front dial and the 24-hour display on the back dial
JLC serial number engraved on the case carrier flank

Movement tells

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Cal. 854A/2 powers both displays simultaneously. Setting the crown adjusts the front-dial hours independently of the back dial -- the two time zones are set via different crown positions.
Small seconds on the front dial should run continuously and stop when the crown is pulled. If the small seconds stops at an arbitrary position when the crown is pulled, the mechanism is functioning correctly.
The 24-hour display on the back advances once every 24 hours and should be synchronized to indicate AM vs. PM correctly for the second time zone.
Power reserve on Cal. 854A/2 is approximately 45 hours. A fully wound Duoface stopping in significantly less time indicates worn mainspring or a service requirement.
Fake Reversos exist but their back dials typically show wrong text proportions and poor enamel or lacquer work -- the back dial is rarely the same quality as genuine JLC production.

Sources: Jaeger-LeCoultre -- Reverso history and caliber documentation; WatchUSeek -- JLC Reverso authentication forum.