Fratello Dress Watch Season: Semifinal 1: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds Vs. A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34mm)

Welcome to the first semifinal in the Fratello Dress Watch Season contest, our effort to identify the best new dress watch of 2025. The series continues with two watches that both confidently won their first matches. Daan is back with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds, the sports watch turned dress watch in rose gold galore. In the other corner, it’s Thomas with the A. Lange & Söhne 1815, the more traditional dress watch, especially in its 34mm size.

As you know by now, these contestants were among the eight watches that won our initial public vote. You, the Fratelli, voted for your favorites from a long list of possible contenders, and after round one, we’ve now arrived at the semifinals. Daan’s JLC Reverso won against Jorg’s Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition, and Thomas’s Lange 1815 defeated Lex’s Grand Seiko SBGH368. Let’s see if the sporty Reverso can eliminate another proper dress watch or if the 1815 can hold its own.

Daan: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in rose gold

In round one, people showed a lot of respect for the very impressive Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition, which it deserves. However, there’s just something about the glorious rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds that makes it truly irresistible. It’s almost as if people don’t see it as a watch anymore. It’s more like an all-gold bracelet that also happens to tell the time. But that’s certainly not its most important feature.

The combination of the iconic Art Deco swiveling case, the textured dial, and that beautifully thin Milanese bracelet is enough to blow any competition out of the way. Of course, a watch is always a piece of jewelry, but this Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds is an exceptional example. In this contest, we’re looking for the best dress watch — in other words, the most elegant watch released this year. Just look at the JLC; who wouldn’t want to wear that to an upcoming cocktail party?

The Lange’s size is perfect, but it’s also too modest

Don’t get me wrong; the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 is right up my alley, especially in its 34mm size. My Breguet Classique 5907 is similarly sized, and on my 17cm wrist, it wears like a charm. With a 6.4mm profile, the Lange is even more than a millimeter thinner than my Breguet. That’s truly impressive, just like the finishing on the movement that you can behold through the case back’s sapphire display. So yes, it’s the perfect size, and I even like the dark blue dial and the large numerals.

But — you knew this was coming — the dial is also its weakest point, I feel. Apart from the rather big and sporty numerals, the A. Lange & Söhne logo at 12 o’clock is also quite large. It almost looks more like a dial that Polo Ralph Lauren could’ve designed. Apart from the azurage on the sub-seconds dial, its finishing is also quite plain. It’s almost like a field watch’s dial combined with the perfect case for a dress watch. I much prefer the hand-guilloché dial on my Breguet 5907 or the heavily grained rose gold dial on the JLC Reverso Tribute. Again, the Lange 1815 looks nice, but I believe it’s a bit too modest to win this contest.

The JLC is anything but modest

This Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds is the exact opposite of the Lange. Its case shape is different from practically any other watch on the market. The whole watch is made of rose gold, except for the sapphire crystal and the movement, which, unfortunately, isn’t visible through any window. But the one thing that makes this JLC Reverso Tribute stand out from the vast multitude of Reverso models is the splendid Milanese bracelet. It’s an unexpected combination with the case, but it works so well.

Somehow, it now feels like the JLC Reverso always came with a mesh bracelet and should always be worn on one. It’s a match made in heaven that no one saw coming. I even put a stainless steel mesh bracelet on my Reverso Duoface and can’t seem to swap it out for anything else. It matches the Reverso’s sporty character. On the all-rose-gold version, though, it turns the Reverso into one of the most stylish and elegant watches ever made. In the case of this matchup and the Fratello Dress Watch Season contest in general, I’d suggest you go big or go home. What about you, Thomas?

Thomas: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34mm)

Thank you, Daan! I hear what you are saying, but I can’t agree with all of it. Sure, “go big or go home” sounds cool. As an expression, it resonates with many of us. Who wouldn’t want to live a big and interesting life, right?

Well, reality is a bit different. Life often asks for a little more tact and subtlety. Sure, if I were walking the red carpet to an award ceremony, I would go big or go home. I would rock the Reverso Tribute. Unfortunately, that scenario doesn’t occur in most lives. Most of us wear our dress watches while engaged in complicated business negotiations or during family events that can feel more politically sensitive than the average NATO summit.

To me, elegance is more about being adaptive and measured while still asserting your unique style and personality. Your Reverso Tribute isn’t that. It screams across the room, “Look at me! I made it!” Meanwhile, the A. Lange & Söhne occasionally peeks out from under my cuff, smirking at your insecure overstatement.

The real-life 1815 versus the fantasy Reverso Tribute

This theme continues as we look closer. I, too, absolutely love the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute in full gold. I love it, however, as an object in pictures. It looks so darned great here on the screen, making the 1815 seem a bit pale in comparison.

That doesn’t translate to real life, though. The Reverso Tribute is so overpowering in its golden aura that it looks cheap and glitzy unless absolutely perfectly paired with just the right attire. It demands that you build your outfit around it, to make it the shining focal point of your appearance. This means that, while it looks expressive and stylish on its own, it will dictate and limit your style in real life. There really isn’t any space left in the room for your personality; this is the Reverso show!

The 34mm A. Lange & Söhne 1815 behaves in the opposite manner. It will adapt to your style in a chameleon-like fashion. It will add a touch of dignity and swagger to any outfit while leaving you in charge. It simply leaves more freedom to express yourself however you see fit.

It isn’t just a matter of style

Okay, all of the above is merely a matter of style and taste. However, I think the 34mm 1815 also wins on a more objective level. For starters, you get the all-new caliber L152.1, specially developed for this watch and offering a 72-hour power reserve. It takes the traditional German silver three-quarter plate down to a new, smaller scale. It retains all the Lange goodness, with its hand-engraved balance cock, gold chatons, and best-in-class finishing, putting it all on display behind a sapphire window.

Your Reverso Tribute is a bit simpler. It runs the old caliber 822. This movement doesn’t offer anything over the Lange and looks much plainer. No wonder, then, that JLC hid it behind a metal case back.

So, why are you paying €17,000 more for the Reverso Tribute? Well, because of all the gold, of course. The A. Lange & Söhne is simpler but better. Now, here comes the knockout blow, in my humble opinion: You can get the 34mm Lange 1815, plus the much more tasteful and better-proportioned Reverso Tribute in steel, plus €7,000 in cash instead of the rose gold Reverso! I get it, I get it…that’s not the equation here, but you catch my drift, right?

Cast your vote!

There you have it — two very different dress watches vying for your favor. Are you Team Go Big Or Go Home? Or are you Team Stealth Wealth? Cast your vote below, and please share your motivations in the comments section!