• The story of the Reverso icon told in four chapters
• A large-scale art installation by Yiyun Kang, commissioned under Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers programme of artistic collaborations
• The launch of three exceptional new Reverso timepieces

This May, Jaeger-LeCoultre invites visitors to discover the world of Reverso through a richly immersive experience held in the heart of Sydney. ‘Reverso Stories’ is an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the world of watchmaking craftsmanship and design through nine decades of cultural and social change, for a watch that was created to withstand the rigours of polo matches to becoming one of the most recognisable timepieces of all time. The ‘Reverso Stories’ experience will be staged in Martin Place, in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, from 10–19 May 2024.

‘Reverso Stories’: a fascinating retrospective and a new launch

‘Reverso Stories’ takes visitors on a compelling journey to discover the history, craftsmanship, innovation and design behind this watchmaking icon through four chapters – Story of an Icon, Story of Style & Design, Story of Innovation and Story of Craftsmanship. It is illustrated by a collection of emblematic Reverso models, from rarely seen archive timepieces, modern-day High Jewellery and miniature-painted models to highlights of the current collection, along with the world’s first wristwatch with four functioning faces, the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 ‘Quadriptyque’.

Alongside the exhibits, a live demonstration of the decorative art of perlage will give visitors insight into an element of the watchmaking process rarely seen by the public.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has also chosen the Sydney edition of ‘Reverso Stories’ for the global launch of three exceptional new limited-edition Reverso watches that showcase the skills of enamelling, gold-leaf paillonage and gem-setting mastered by the Manufacture’s in-house Métiers Rares™ (Rare Handcrafts) atelier.

Made of Makers: a collaboration with multimedia artist Yiyun Kang

Visitors begin their exploration of ‘Reverso Stories’ with a multimedia installation, titled Origin, commissioned from the Korean artist Yiyun Kang by Jaeger-LeCoultre under its Made of Makers programme. Through a series of collaborations with artists, designers and craftsmen from disciplines outside watchmaking, Made of Makers explores and extends the dialogue that naturally exists between horology and art. The programme has, to date, embraced the visual arts, gastronomy and music. Presented on a very large three-dimensional screen that has been purpose-built for installation in public spaces, Origin is a tribute to the ubiquity of the Golden Ratio in the world around us.

The 1931 Café and the Boutique: a complete experience

Completing visitors’ immersion into the spirit of Art Deco, the 1931 Café invites guests to pause and enjoy a complementary refreshment. Visitors are also invited to the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique – just two minutes’ walk away at 84 King Street.

Opening Hours and Admission:

‘Reverso Stories’ will run from 10–19 May 2024 in Martin Place, Sydney CBD, opening daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm (5.00 pm on Sundays) with free access to the public. Guided tours, lasting approximately 20 minutes, are available.

Visitors may book online at bit.ly/ReversoStoriesSydney or register upon arrival, walk-ins are welcome.

"We are delighted to welcome our Reverso exhibition to the heart of the Vallée de Joux, bringing back to life this unforgettable journey of watchmaking and Art Deco design. Over the years, the Reverso has become an iconic object, a symbol of style and elegance. I hope this passage through time will become an unforgettable experience for all who visit it." says Catherine Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Created in 1931, the Reverso is a design of rare longevity – a legend born from the challenge to create a wristwatch that could withstand the rough and tumble of the polo field. Ingenious in conception and perfect in execution, the Reverso quickly transcended its original purpose and was adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life. Deftly synthesising form and function with its unique reversible case and pure Art Deco lines, it has become one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

Reverso Stories explores the creative and cultural universe of this exceptional design through four themes, leading visitors on a journey through 90 years of timeless modernity. These four ‘Stories’ are supplemented by an in-depth exploration of how La Grande Maison has epitomised the spirit of the Vallée de Joux for 190 years, fuelled by boundless creativity and a relentless pursuit of innovation married to deep respect for the traditional values of high watchmaking.

The Reverso: A Timeless Story in Four Chapters

The Story of an Icon retells the tale of the Reverso’s origins through rarely seen archive materials and heritage documents from the Jaeger-LeCoultre collection, and a selection of milestone Reverso watches. A specially commissioned film transports the viewer inside the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, tracing the creation of a Reverso through the words of the artisans and watchmakers themselves.

The Story of Style & Design examines the Art Deco roots of the Reverso. Visitors will discover how, following the principles of Art Deco design, the distinctive rectangular form of the watch was dictated by the original concept – that the case should flip over. An artfully curated selection of timepieces traces the stylistic changes through which the Reverso has gained the status of a design icon.

The Story of Innovation explores how the Reverso embodies Jaeger-LeCoultre’s eternally inventive quest for technical advancement. Beginning with the revolutionary idea of a case that could be flipped over, to the ingenious design by Rene-Alfred Chauvot, patented in 1931, the story traces the introduction of high-watchmaking complications, ground-breaking mechanical inventions and the use of new materials.

The Story of Craftsmanship, the exhibition’s finale, celebrates the skills of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enamellers, gem-setters, engravers and guillochage masters, revealing how they have unleashed the full potential of the Reverso as a canvas for artistic expression and personalised messages. A special selection of timepieces spanning nine decades provides special insight into how the Reverso has itself been telling the stories of its owners –and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Enriching the Experience with Atelier d’Antoine

To deepen their experience of the exhibition, visitors are welcome to enrol in Atelier d’Antoine, the programme of educational workshops, hands-on watchmaking experience and Manufacture visits – an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of fine watchmaking. Presented by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the heart of its Manufacture, the Discovery Workshops, Masterclasses and guided visits will focus on the Reverso, presenting a unique opportunity to discover the inside story of a true icon of watchmaking. Participation in the Atelier d’Antoine is by reservation only.

‘Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931’ Exhibition

Espace Horloger, Grande-Rue 2, CH-1347 Le Sentier

Open to the public from July 1 to September 3, from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays). Free of charge. 

More information on espacehorloger.ch 

Atelier d’Antoine

Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rue de la Golisse 8, CH-1347 Le Sentier

Online booking mandatory on online-booking.jaeger-lecoultre.com

This second chapter under the theme “The Art of Precision” was unveiled for 2019 in Japan. It’s no accident that the Manufacture elected to set the event in the impressive city of Kyoto, known for its special atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and finely wrought craftsmanship that relies on precision in action.

The Home of the Art of Precision

This event provided a unique opportunity to discover the powerful bond linking Japan’s former Imperial capital to the Grande Maison, uniting them around a common preoccupation with precision. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, this ceaseless quest ranges from the technical precision of a movement – intended to tell the time, as well as giving more complex indications – to the precision of the strictly controlled gestures and artistic rigour of the 180 specialised trades and Rare Handcrafts "Métiers Rares®" perpetuated by our artisans under one roof. The Japanese arts have strived to meet this calling and challenge for centuries, with the same rigour and extreme attention to detail.

A living, vibrant testimony

The evening showcased some of the most highly regarded watchmaking skills and applied art techniques in the world, mastered by Japanese Living National Treasure artists: Mr. Kiju Fukuda, Mr. Kenji Suda and Mr. Kazuo Yamagishi. Alongside these artists were two Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmaker and enameller artisans, who travelled from the Vallée de Joux especially for the event. Not only watchmaking precision, but also enamelling – a centuries-old decorative technique reintroduced at the Manufacture in 1999 – drew parallels with the secrets of Japanese embroidery and marquetry, skills that were presented along with a number of rare and precious objects. Guests got a fascinating insight into genuine works of art which, like Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, require many hours, if not months, to craft.

The power and beauty of extreme precision

A similarly exacting degree of precision gave rise to the new limited edition watch that the Manufacture is honoured to present to you in an exclusive preview, the Master Grande Tradition Répétition Minutes Perpétuelle. Drawing inspiration from the aesthetic codes of the celebrated Master Grande Tradition Collection, this new masterpiece confirms Jaeger-LeCoultre’s expertise in the field of chiming watches. Its innovative gong system was designed to reproduce the idealised chime made by antique chiming pocket watches, with a rich acoustic clarity rarely attained in Grand Complication watches. Housed in a highly compact (13.72 mm) white gold case that optimises the wearer’s experience, this exceptional timepiece represents the next generation of chime-related innovation, both in terms of mechanical innovation and miniature decorative arts. The truth of this is evident from just one glance at the two dial variations available for this watch – one a neoclassical silver-grained dial and the other a deep blue translucent guilloché enamel dial.

Under the bright night-time lights of Kyoto, city of art and history, Jaeger-LeCoultre had the immense pleasure of paying homage yet again to the precision that has guided every gesture of its master watchmakers and artisans since 1833. This precision in both technique and aesthetics mirrors that same rigour that has been practised for thousands of years in Kyoto – a city of particularly emblematic status in Japan, that is highly esteemed by lovers of beautiful objects and heritage pieces.

Catherine Rénier, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre:

“We are delighted to present our collection of watches dedicated to Art of Precision in the city of Kyoto, known for its uniquely refined atmosphere and heritage. Resembling a perfectly executed theatre act, where the role of precision is of utmost importance: in nature, in architecture, in culture and customs. Precision everywhere and all around …. Precision is the common denominator between the city of Kyoto and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture dedicated to watchmaking savoir-faire and technical expertise since 1833 in the Vallée de Joux. It was a perfect opportunity to immerse our guests in the Art of precision theme, paying attention to detail, and traditional gesture accomplished to create piece of arts, as our collection of watches.”