What Is a Replica Reverso Tribute Duoface?
A replica Reverso Tribute Duoface is a rectangular, flippable dress watch that copies the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface: a case about 47 mm tall and 28.3 mm wide with a dial on each side. The front face shows the time with a small seconds subdial; the reverse face shows a second time zone with a 24-hour day and night indicator. The genuine watch runs the manual-wind Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854A/2, a 42-hour power reserve and a 30 m water resistance rating.
Because the case turns inside a carriage instead of sitting in a fixed caseback, a replica has to solve two problems at once: the rotation mechanism and a movement that drives two dials. That pairing is what separates a convincing build from a cheap copy.
How the Duoface Flip Mechanism Works
The case slides out of the carriage on rails, rotates 180 degrees and locks back into place with the other dial facing up. The carriage stays on the wrist, so the strap never twists.
On a genuine Reverso the movement sits inside the rotating case and both dials share it. On a replica, watch the seconds hand while you flip. If it stops, the builder used two separate movements or a static decorative reverse dial.
What Does the Back Dial Show?
The reverse dial carries a second time zone, set with a crown or a small pusher, plus a 24-hour scale that tells you whether the remote city is in day or night. Many versions also place a small seconds subdial on the back.
How Do You Set the Second Time Zone?
- Set the front dial to your local time.
- Use the second crown position or the pusher to move the second time zone hand.
- Read the 24-hour ring to confirm day or night in the remote zone.
On replicas the second time zone is often adjusted with a pusher rather than a crown, so confirm the control layout before ordering.
Case and Dial Specs to Compare
- Case size: about 47 mm from lug to lug, 28.3 mm wide, roughly 10.3 mm thick on the Tribute Duoface.
- Case finish: polished sides with brushed, stepped gadroons along the top and bottom edges.
- Crystal: sapphire on both faces, flat at the back and lightly domed at the front.
- Dial: silvered or grey front with baton indices and Dauphine hands; blue or black reverse dial.
- Strap: tapered leather on a pin or folding buckle.
Measure the case before you commit. A replica that runs 2 mm wide or thick loses the dress-watch proportions that make the Reverso sit flat on a small wrist.
Movement Options in Replica Duoface Watches
Most replica Reverso Tribute Duoface watches use a hand-wound Asian movement, often a Seagull or Hangzhou dual-time calibre. Higher tiers fit a Swiss ETA or Sellita base with a modified dial train. Automatic versions exist, but the added rotor thickness shows through the case sides.
Manual Wind vs Automatic
The genuine watch is manual wind, so a hand-wound replica keeps the profile thinner and the feel closer to the original. An automatic build trades silhouette accuracy for convenience, and the rotor is hidden inside the case anyway.
What to Check Before Buying a Replica Reverso Tribute Duoface
- Flip feel: smooth rotation with a firm click-out and no side-to-side wobble in the rails.
- Both dials live: the seconds hand must keep running when the case is flipped.
- Second time zone: independent adjustment and a working 24-hour indicator.
- Dial printing: correct logo spacing, thin fonts and a crisp minute track.
- Filet saute: even ridged lines on the top and bottom of the case, not flat slabs.
- Caseback: plain polished back that can take an engraving, as on the original.
- Water resistance: treat any stated rating as cosmetic and keep the watch dry.
How Much Should One Cost?
Replica Reverso Tribute Duoface watches generally sell between about $150 and $500. Entry builds use basic movements and printed dials, while mid and top tiers pay for a working second time zone, better sapphire and closer case dimensions. A price far below that range usually signals a reverse dial that does not function.
Is a Replica Reverso Tribute Duoface Water Resistant?
No. Even when a listing claims 30 m, replica gaskets and casebacks are rarely pressure tested, and the flip mechanism adds a seam where water can pass. Assume splash resistance at best.
Are Replica Reversos Engraved on the Back?
The outer caseback of the Reverso carriage is plain on the genuine watch so the owner can add a personal engraving. Some replicas ship blank and others carry a copied engraving. A blank back is the more accurate starting point if you plan to personalize it.
Note: a replica is not the genuine article, carries no manufacturer warranty or service, and rules on buying and selling differ by country. Treat any purchase as a novelty watch rather than an investment.