JAEGER-LECOULTRE PRESENTS NEW VARIATIONS OF THE REVERSO TRIBUTE SMALL SECONDS

CHOOSE YOUR OWN STYLE WITH CAPTIVATING COLOURED DIALS AND A NEW ULTRA-THIN PINK GOLD CASE

• ­Continuing the story of colour that began in the earliest years of the Reverso
• Expressing individual style through dial colours and interchangeable Fagliano Collection straps

Soon after its creation in 1931, as the Reverso was adopted by tastemakers from worlds beyond the polo fields for which it was originally conceived, new variations appeared with coloured dials – a daring departure at a time when white or silver dials were the norm. Creating a vivid contrast with the case metal, the colours added a note of exuberance to the streamlined symmetry of the Reverso design. 

In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues the story of colour, presenting the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds with sunray-brushed dials in four variations. In a newly redesigned pink gold case, a black dial – paying homage to the black dials of the original 1931 Reverso – creates a dramatic contrast to the polished metal; a burgundy lacquer dial complements the glowing richness of pink gold; and a silver dial – closely recalling the silver dial of the first-generation Reverso – is a discreetly elegant foil for the rich golden glow of the metal. The black and burgundy dials are paired with two Fagliano Collection straps in complementary colours – one strap in the signature canvas-and-calf combination and the other in all calf. The silver dial is paired with a Fagliano Collection canvas-and-calf strap and an additional black alligator strap. Also new for 2023, a silver opaline dial with black nickel finished hands and indexes adds a dynamic and contemporary feel to the steel Reverso Tribute case.

A new ultra-thin case in pink gold

The pink gold Reverso Tribute case has been significantly revised for 2023, with its thickness reduced by almost 1mm to just 7.56mm to achieve the utmost sophistication and refinement.

Distinguished by a singular elegance, rectangular cases remain relatively rare in watchmaking. Since the earliest days of mechanical timekeeping devices, round cases have been the norm – a convention that followed naturally from sundials being circular, watch hands moving “in the round” and, consequently, watch mechanisms being designed in circular form. When the idea of a swivelling case was conceived for the first Reverso in 1931, it had to be rectilinear in order to function. Moreover, because the profile of a rectangular case closely follows the natural curve of the wrist and is thus highly ergonomic, it was ideal for the polo players for whom the design was originally intended. Once the case design was established, Jaeger-LeCoultre took the rectangular principle further, creating shaped movements specifically for Reverso that closely follow the contours of its case.

The slide-and-swivel mechanism of the Reverso makes its case one of the most complex in watchmaking, which added considerably to the challenge of reducing its thickness for the new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds models. Comprising more than 50 components – of which almost 40 are dedicated to the swivelling mechanism – the cases are entirely produced and hand-assembled by a specialised team within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

The elegance of simplicity – Reverso Tribute dials

The process of making the sunray dials is an intricate and delicate one. First, the dial base is galvanised to give a metallic sheen and protect the underlying brass from oxidation; next, a fine metal brush traces very fine, almost imperceptible lines on the surface in a sunray pattern that intersects at the precise centre of the dial. This is what gives the characteristic variation of hue when light falls on the dial from different angles. Finally, unless the dial is to be lacquered, the surface is varnished and polished to a smooth sheen that enhances the subtly textured sunray effect.

For coloured dials, lacquering is a complex craft that requires a high degree of skill. Up to four layers of coloured lacquer are applied to create the desired intensity and tone, followed by up to 20 layers of translucent lacquer, which adds visual depth and permanently fixes the colour. Every layer is applied by hand and each application must dry under ideal conditions of heat and humidity before the next can begin. Finally, the lacquer is varnished with a brilliant finish then polished by hand to mirror-like perfection, adding a sense of intensity and depth to the colour.

The new 2023 dials feature all of the signature design elements of the Reverso Tribute, with the hours marked by applied indexes rather than numerals, and the 12 marked by a double index. Their faceted shape echoes the form of the Dauphine hands and adds visual depth to the dial surface. In the lower half of the dial, the circular track of the small seconds display provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case. Harmonising with the sunray brushing of the dial, a dramatic sunray pattern on the inside of the carrier is visible as the case is flipped over.

In keeping with Reverso tradition, the solid metal back of the reversible case is an ideal canvas for personalisation. The owner can choose to keep this personalisation hidden, as a private pleasure, or to turn the case over so that the back becomes the front of the timepiece.

Reconnecting Reverso to its sporting roots

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s collaboration with Casa Fagliano has reconnected the Reverso to its roots in the world of polo, where Fagliano is celebrated for its fine handmade boots. A package of two straps is offered with each pink gold Reverso Tribute Small Seconds – made to Fagliano’s signature design in canvas-and-calf and all-calf, in colours that complement the new dials. Creating a unified aesthetic and strong sense of style that underlines the timeless modernity of the Reverso design, they are fitted with pin buckles that allow for swift and easy strap changes.

Calibre 822 – Epitomising Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of product integrity

The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is powered by the manually wound mechanical movement, Calibre 822. With 108 components, this mechanically elegant and well-proven movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre calibres, its components are finely finished and decorated, even though they are hidden beneath the solid metal case-back.

Designed expressly for the Reverso, every element of Calibre 822 is produced and assembled within the Manufacture. In keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of product integrity, whereby the shape of a movement should be appropriate to that of its case – an approach established in the earliest years of the Manufacture – its architecture has been designed in a tonneau shape that closely follows the rectangular form of the Reverso case.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE SMALL SECONDS (PINK GOLD)

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm; Thickness: 7.56mm

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds

Power reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 m

Dial: Black sunray / Burgundy lacquer / Silver sunray

Caseback: Closed

Strap: Fagliano Collection interchangeable calf-leather-and-canvas and all-calf-leather (Pink gold/black; Pink gold/burgundy); Fagliano Collection interchangeable calf-leather-and-canvas strap and black alligator strap (Pink gold/silver)

Reference: Pink gold/black: Q713257J; Pink gold/burgundy: Q713256J; Pink gold/silver: Q7132521

REVERSO TRIBUTE SMALL SECONDS (STEEL)

Case: Steel

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm; Thickness: 8.5mm

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds

Power reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 m

Dial: Silver opalin

Caseback: Closed

Strap: Fagliano Collection calf-leather-and-canvas

Reference: Steel Q713842J