Guests of Jaeger-LeCoultre enjoyed a polo experience this May in the company of Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven. A longstanding friend of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Clare Milford Haven has won polo competitions in Europe, America, India and South Africa and is captain of the Jaeger-LeCoultre polo team.

The event brought to life the heritage of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. A glamorous morning of polo at the Great Trippetts Farm in West Sussex was followed by an elegant lunch at Cowdray House, a palatial 13th century Tudor manor house, in the company of actress Gabriella Wilde, who appeared in the British historical period drama Poldark between 2016 and 2018 and will also appear in upcoming film Wonder Woman 1984.

The iconic Reverso watch design was first conceived in the 1930s when a British officer stationed in India issued a challenge to shield his watch dial during often animated polo matches. The first ever Reverso watch was patented in 1931. For almost nine decades, the Reverso has kept the elegant, geometric lines and exquisite materials of Art Deco styling at its heart. Reversible, just as the name suggests, it soon became an icon far beyond the Swiss borders. The case can be slid with a finger to reveal either a solid, easily customisable reverse side or a second dial.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso models on show at Cowdray House included the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, with a sumptuous burgundy-red dial adorned with a perfectly matched leather strap designed by Argentinian polo bootmaker Casa Fagliano. The Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano in pink gold in a limited edition of 100 pieces sports two separate dials - a blue sunray-brushed on the front and a silvered guilloché on the back - and comes with a two tones blue cordovan leather strap designed and handcrafted by Casa Fagliano. The Reverso One Duetto, recognisable for its thin case, offers women the option of a daytime watch with a silvered sunrayed guilloché dial on the front, and on the reverse, a second, more opulent, spangled lacquered dial in burgundy red or midnight blue.

A unique creation, imagined and personalized by Clare Milford Haven

In 2016, for the 85^th birthday of the iconic Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre invited Clare Milford Haven, with whom it has been cultivating close ties since 2004, to imagine a model attuned to her tastes - the Reverso Classic Duetto Medium in pink gold. Graced with two dials and a double set of hands driven by a single movement, the Reverso Classic Duetto Medium appeals by its timeless elegance. This timepiece is adorned in subtle shades of blue. Even before the watch swivels, certain discreetly personalized elements are perceptible, as the crown finely set with diamonds and a ruby – symbolizing victory, charity and love. This year, Clare Milford Haven set the perfect final touch to this highly personal model, with a unique cordovan leather strap demonstrating the unrivalled leathercraft tradition of Casa Fagliano, specially created for the very symbolic Reverso Classic Duetto Medium.

Reverso Classic Small Seconds, brighten with high-end Fagliano straps

To underline the exclusive nature of this collaboration, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a new Reverso Classic Small Seconds. The dial of the Reverso Classic Small Seconds is highly readable, with its sword-shaped hands and black Arabic numerals, as well as its small seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The reversible concept of the Reverso watch was originally designed to protect the glass from any impact while playing polo. Quickly surpassing the sport world, the watch has become a testament to life's special moments thanks to its steel case-back, which can accommodate engraved or lacquered inscriptions. The new edition of Reverso feature a very well-crafted Fagliano Collection chocolate brown leather strap, designed by Casa Fagliano. This exquisite touch bracelet distinguished by a tone-on-tone highlights the timeless elegance of the piece.

Reverso Classic Duoface, two dials matching with Casa Fagliano’s spirit

All the skills and expertise of Jaeger-LeCoultre are discernible in the timeless and discreet elegance of the Reverso Classic Duoface Small Seconds. With its two dials animated by a single mechanical movement, this Reverso offers travelers two time zones in an elegant steel case. The center of the dial is delicately guilloché, and traversed by steel blued hands, reinforcing its watchmaking character. At 6 o’clock, an elegant small seconds enhance the dial. On the back of the case, all in black, the Reverso offers a second time zone, complemented by a day / night indicator at 6 o'clock, informing the traveler whether the travel time is daytime or nighttime. Both of the dials radiantly match with the smooth Fagliano Collection chocolate brown leather straps, highlighting the pure design of the timepiece.

Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, exquisite Art Deco inspiration

A Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is likewise rejoining the collection, with an exquisite Art Deco inspiration. The dial of the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is inspired by the first Reverso model from 1931. The “railroad” timer follows the dial around to reveal a subtle shade of blue, the result of a translucent lacquer stained on a satin base. The purity of this remarkable dial, in which the small second seems to float, is embellished with indexes in polished and rhodium plated appliques. Spectacularly sober and elegant, the bracelet of the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds watch is also part of the Fagliano Collection. With its natural navy blue leather, comfortable and flexible, the Casa Fagliano’s creation reflects the unique craftsmanship of the Argentinian bootmakers.

Casa Fagliano, famous Argentinian leather artisans

Casa Fagliano specializes in the making of footwear specifically designed for polo practice and rural work. Located in Hurlingham, Argentina, the Casa Fagliano workshop contains tools and machines that have been used for over a century. Artisans gradually created their reputation, which spread throughout the country and the world. The production is fully handmade and puts special care into quality and details. In its beginnings, Casa Fagliano worked for modest customers and rural people; and over the years, it has added polo players, famous actors, noblemen and kings to its client list. Nowadays, the fourth and fifth generations of the Fagliano family still use the same tools and methods that their ancestors used. The manufacturing continues to be handmade and every person fulfils a role within the production process. Jaeger-LeCoultre is very proud to collaborate with Casa Fagliano, which shares the same values of authenticity and craftsmanship.

Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, England

Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, has competed professionally in all levels of polo for over 15 years, often on the winning side. Though the press make much of a woman playing alongside men, all that counts on the field is skill, something Clare possesses in spades. A respected journalist, Clare has been writing for more than 20 years. She also works tirelessly for her charity, the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund, to raise awareness of anxiety, depression and suicide amongst young people.