Split-Personality Watches – Five Unconventional Models With Convertible Cases

The clothes we wear, the way we do our hair, the music we listen to, and the food we eat are all a reflection of our personality. Heck, even the watches we wear are a reflection of our demeanour and interests or even passion. But what if you want to reveal more than just one side of your personality and, as an extension, your watch as well? Most wristwatches need to be swapped out to give you a different look, but some have the ability to change looks ‘on the fly’. Here are five mechanical watches with convertible cases and multiple faces.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III

The most recent release that falls under the category of convertible watches is the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III. It is the third model by Hamilton that has a central container that can be flipped vertically, instantly changing the look of your watch. One dial is a sporty chronograph with three sub-dials, and the other shows you the movement with just a central chronograph seconds hand. Clever, bold and quite fun! It’s 44mm in diameter, a hefty 17.25mm in height and is powered by the calibre H-41 automatic chronograph. Worn on a brown leather strap with a folding buckle, this limited edition of 999 pieces retails for EUR 2,995.

For more information, please visit HamiltonWatch.com.

Quick Facts – 44mm x 17.25mm – stainless steel case with rotatable central container – sapphire crystal on both sides – 50m water-resistant – double dials with classical chronograph side and movement side with chronograph seconds – Hamilton calibre H-41, automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 60h power reserve – central hours and minutes, small seconds, chronograph with double central seconds, 30-min and 12-h counters – brown leather strap – limited to 999 pieces – EUR 2,995

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds

The Reverso by Jaeger-LeCoultre is a true icon and the quintessential convertible watch. One of the models in the current collection that gracefully captures the essence of the Reverso is the Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, while far more complicated versions also exist. The Tribute Duoface shows either the hours, minutes and small seconds on one dial, with a second time zone and day/night indicator on the second revealed with a simple flip of the rectangular case. The back plate is also decorated with radiating grooves, and it is worn on a leather strap with a double-folding clasp. Prices start at EUR 13,400.

For more information, please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre.com.

Quick Facts – 47mm x 28.3mm x 10.3mm – stainless steel – water-resistant 30m – front dial blue with hours, minutes and small seconds – reverse second time zone dial silver with Clous de Paris guilloché design, hours and minutes counter and day/night indicator – manual-winding JLC calibre 854A/2 – 21,600vph – 42h power reserve – Casa Fagliano leather strap on double-folding buckle – EUR 13,400 (incl. VAT)

Bovet Monsieur Bovet turquoise

As far as versatility goes, Bovet takes it to the next level by not only giving its watch two sides to tell the time but a watch that can be converted from a wristwatch to a pocket watch and even a desk clock without the need for any tools. The clever Amadeo case construction, seen here on the Monsieur Bovet Turquoise, has a special strap attachment that can also be fitted to the pocket watch chain. If needed, the built-in stand makes it possible to use it as a desk clock. Both sides are independently set through the crown at noon, and it’s powered by a complex mechanical movement with up to 7 days of power. It is limited to 60 pieces, 30 in white gold and 30 in red gold, with a price of USD 60,000.

For more information, please visit Bovet.com.

Quick Facts – 43mm x 12.35mm – white gold or red gold case – sapphire crystal front and back – patented Amadeo convertible case construction – 30m water-resistant – turquoise guilloché dials – hours and minutes on side A with hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator on side B – calibre 13BM09A1, in-house with manual winding – 21,600vph – 41 jewels – 168h power reserve (7 days) – black alligator leather strap or pocket watch chain – limited to 60 pieces (30 in white gold, 30 in red gold) – USD 60,000

De Bethune Kind Of Two Tourbillon

The Kind of Two Tourbillon by De Bethune is a masterpiece by the eccentric independent watchmaker, one that features a reversible container with two incredible sides to it. On one hand, you have a very classical De Bethune-style dial with multiple levels, blued hands and guilloché finishing. The other side reveals a far more contemporary style with partially exposed mechanics and De Bethune’s in-house tourbillon escapement. The case (or rather container) is held in place by De Bethune’s trademark spring-loaded swivelling lugs. There’s now also a Jumping GMT version of it, which we sadly have not yet seen live. It comes with a black alligator leather strap and costs CHF 215,000, before taxes.

For more information, please visit DeBethune.ch.

Quick Facts – 42.8mm x 9.5mm – polished grade 5 titanium case – floating lugs with reversible container – sapphire crystal front and back – 30m water-resistant – classical multi-level silver dial with guilloché and blued hands – polished titanium contemporary dial with blued-titanium hour markers and hands – calibre DB2579, in-house – manual winding – exposed tourbillon escapement – 36,000vph – 120h power reserve – alligator leather strap with titanium pin buckle – CHF 215,000 (before taxes)

Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300G

With Jay Z rocking the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300G in black during the Grammy’s, we just had to include it in the list, as it is a rarely seen watch. Understandable, given the fact that only a handful are made, and each one costs at least USD 2.2 million. The Grandmaster Chime was introduced in 2014 on the occasion of Patek’s 175th anniversary. This was followed by the Grandmaster Chime 6300G two years later with black and white/silver dials, and now comes in this handsome blue iteration. The two-sided white gold case swivels between the lugs and holds a movement with no less than 20 complications, including a Grande and Petite Sonnerie. For more details on this stupendous watch, check out our previous story here. Its official current price is on request only.

The full list of complications:

1. Grande Sonnerie
2. Petite Sonnerie
3. Minute repeater
4. Strikework mode display (Silence/Grand Sonnerie/Petite Sonnerie)
5. Alarm with time strike
6. Date repeater
7. Movement power-reserve indicator
8. Strikework power-reserve indicator
9. Strikework isolator display
10. Second time zone
11. Second time zone day/night indicator
12. Instantaneous perpetual calendar
13. Day-of-week display
14. Month display
15. Date display (on both dials)
16. Leap year cycle
17. Four-digit year display
18. 24-hour and minute subdial
19. Moon phase
20. Crown position indicator (RAH)

For more information, please visit Patek.com.

Quick Facts – 47.7mm x 16.07mm – white gold reversible case with hobnail decoration, pushers and correctors – sapphire crystal front and back – blue opaline dials with guilloché decoration, Breguet numerals and 15 hands – calibre 300 GS AL 36-750 QIS FUS IRM, in-house – hand-wound – Patek Philippe Seal – 1,366 parts – 108 jewels – 25,200vph – 72h power reserve – blue alligator leather strap with fold-over clasp – ref. 6300G-010 – Price on Request