The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau, reference 2353520, is a hand-wound minute repeater in a 55 x 36 mm white gold Reverso case, powered by calibre 944 and finished with a ruthenium-toned dial variant on a leather strap. It combines two of the house's signatures: the flip-over Reverso case that dates to 1931, and the minute repeater, a grand complication that chimes the time on demand. This guide covers the specifications, how a minute repeater works, what the rideau (the French word for curtain) adds, how the watch compares with other Reverso grand complications, how to think about the price, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 2353520 to order; the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso collection lists the Reverso references we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 29, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 2353520 specifications
| Attribute | 2353520 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Reverso, Répétition Minutes à Rideau |
| Case | White gold, rectangular flip-over case, 55 x 36 mm as listed (the 55 mm figure is the full length including the swivel frame); confirm thickness on the piece |
| Movement | Calibre 944, manual winding, minute repeater |
| Dial | Ruthenium variant with Arabic numerals as listed; a skeleton variant of the same reference number also exists |
| Strap | Leather |
| Complications | Minute repeater, chiming hours, quarters and minutes on demand, with the rideau sliding cover |
| Condition offered | Brand new, sourced to order |
Sources: the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry for how Swiss high watchmaking is defined and described, and the Phillips watches department for auction catalogues that describe how minute repeaters are catalogued and sold. Jaeger-LeCoultre's own boutique and product pages carry the manufacturer's specification for each Reverso reference; where a figure is not confirmed here, ask for it in writing.
What is a Reverso, and why does it flip?
The Reverso was introduced in 1931 as a watch that could survive polo. The case sits in a sliding frame that swivels so the dial can be turned face down and the plain back of the case takes the impact. That mechanism, the brancard, is what distinguishes every Reverso from other rectangular Art Deco watches. Over the decades the back of the case became a canvas for engraving, enamel and, on complicated models, a second dial or a view of the movement.
The 2353520 keeps that idea and puts a minute repeater inside it. The flip case remains part of the character of the watch, and the repeater adds a mechanism that is meant to be heard rather than seen.
How does a minute repeater work?
A minute repeater strikes the current time on small gongs when the wearer pushes a slide on the case. It usually gives the hours on a low note, the quarter hours as a two-note chime and the remaining minutes on a high note. Listen to the sequence and you can read the time without looking.
- Slide activation. Moving the slide winds a dedicated spring that drives the strike; the mainspring does not have to power the chime directly.
- Governor. A small centrifugal governor keeps the strike at an even tempo, so the notes are evenly spaced and not rushed.
- Hammers and gongs. Two hammers strike two gongs; the quality of the sound depends on the gong alloy, the case and how the case is closed.
- Manual winding. With no rotor, the movement stays thin, which helps the case remain wearable and the acoustics unobstructed.
Repeaters are among the most complex mechanisms in watchmaking and, in the trade, are usually serviced only by the manufacturer or a specialist repeater watchmaker. That is a cost and a lead time to plan for before buying.
What is the rideau on the Reverso Répétition Minutes?
Rideau is French for curtain. On this reference it is a sliding cover integrated into the case, a mechanical element that opens and closes rather than a decoration. The exact arrangement of the cover relative to the dial and the movement side should be confirmed with the manufacturer's documentation for the specific piece you are considering, since Jaeger-LeCoultre has used the Reverso's two faces in different ways across its grand complication models.
What matters for a buyer is that the rideau is a moving part and, like every moving part on a complicated watch, it needs to operate smoothly and quietly. Check it as part of the handover, not as an afterthought.
Ruthenium or skeleton dial?
| Ruthenium variant | Skeleton variant | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | 2353520 as listed | 2353520 as listed |
| Look | Dark slate tone, Arabic numerals, quiet and formal | Cut-away structure that shows the mechanism |
| Legibility | Higher contrast with the numerals | Busier; the structure competes with the hands |
| Best for | Wearing the watch as a dress watch that happens to chime | Collectors who want the mechanism on show |
Ruthenium is a metal in the platinum group, and in watch descriptions it usually names a dark grey finish. Treat the colour as a description and confirm it on the physical dial in daylight, since dark grey finishes shift between slate and near black depending on the light.
How does a 55 x 36 mm Reverso wear?
A Reverso is worn along the wrist rather than across it. The 36 mm width is what the wrist sees, and it sits comfortably on most wrists, while the 55 mm length gives the case a long, slim profile that runs under a cuff. Because the case is rectangular the lugs curve to follow the wrist, and a white gold case will carry more weight than a steel one. Repeaters sometimes include a slightly thicker case to house the striking mechanism, so ask for the thickness and try the watch under a shirt sleeve.
The leather strap suits a formal watch of this type. Repeaters are usually worn on occasions rather than daily, and the strap should be kept dry.
How does it compare with other Reverso grand complications?
| Répétition Minutes à Rideau | Reverso tourbillon models | Standard Reverso | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complication | Minute repeater with rideau | Tourbillon | Time only or simple |
| What you get | Sound as well as sight | A moving cage to look at | The Reverso shape at lower cost |
| Servicing | Specialist and lengthy | Specialist | Routine |
| Buyer | Grand complication collector | Collector who wants a visible mechanism | First Reverso or daily wear |
Jaeger-LeCoultre also makes round-case grand complications in its Master range. The Reverso repeater is for the buyer who wants the flip case as well as the chime.
How much is a Reverso 2353520? How to read the price
A minute repeater in white gold from a house of this standing is priced far above a standard Reverso, and the price is set by quotation, not a fixed public list. Do not treat any figure on a web page, including ours, as a quote.
- Retail. Jaeger-LeCoultre sells grand complication Reversos through its own boutiques and may not publish prices for the most complicated models. The brand's website and boutiques are the only source for a retail figure on any date.
- Secondary market. Repeaters appear rarely at auction and in the trade. For context on how houses describe and estimate them, browse the current and past catalogues at Sotheby's and Phillips; estimates and results change by sale.
- Bizak. This reference is sourced to order and priced by quotation on the day, with the piece, the condition and the papers confirmed before you commit.
For how to compare dealer quotes in general, see our Patek Philippe price guide, which covers the same complications-first thinking, and our watches over US$50,000 collection for other pieces at this tier.
Buying a Reverso repeater: what to check
- Full set. A new grand complication should arrive with the manufacturer box, warranty card, certificate and booklets. The serial on the case must match the paper. Read the warranty term on the card.
- Strike test. Operate the slide at the handover and listen to the complete sequence at several times. Hours, quarters and minutes should each be distinct and evenly paced. A muffled, hesitant or incomplete strike needs to be resolved before the sale closes.
- Rideau action. The cover should open and close smoothly, with no catching, rattle or looseness.
- Flip mechanism. The case should swivel and lock without play. Check both faces for marks.
- White gold case. White gold shows contact marks more easily than platinum. On a new watch the case and swivel frame should show none.
- Winding and rate. The crown should wind smoothly, and the watch should keep a steady rate over a day.
- Storage and care. Ask about the manufacturer's service network and the lead time for a repeater service before you buy.
Our authenticity guarantee describes what we check before a watch leaves us.
Quick answers
How much is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 2353520?
It is priced by quotation rather than a public list, and it sits far above a standard Reverso. Ask for a dated written quote for the exact dial and condition; Bizak sources it to order.
What does a minute repeater do?
It chimes the time on demand: a low note for each hour, a two-note chime for each quarter and a high note for the minutes after the last quarter. You operate it with a slide on the case.
What is the rideau?
Rideau is French for curtain. On this Reverso it is a sliding cover in the case; confirm its exact arrangement in the manufacturer's documentation for your piece.
Is the watch automatic?
No. Calibre 944 is manually wound, which keeps the movement thin and leaves the acoustics unobstructed.
Who should service a minute repeater?
The manufacturer or a specialist repeater watchmaker. Ask about lead times and the cost of service before you buy, since repeaters are not routine work.
Request a Reverso Répétition Minutes 2353520 sourcing quote
Tell us whether you prefer the ruthenium or the skeleton dial, your budget and your timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Browse the Reverso collection, the Jaeger-LeCoultre collection, or sell or trade your watch.
Related reading: Patek Philippe watch prices · Audemars Piguet watch prices · Richard Mille price guide · Watch nicknames explained.
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