• Exceptional craftsmanship: hand-engraved case representing 180 hours of work; hand-lacquered and hand-bevelled bridges; fully skeletonised reverse dial

• Mechanical excellence: Gyrotourbillon with 123 components, inner cage rotating 360° every 16 seconds, peripheral carriage rotating once per minute

• Innovative double-wheel buckle mechanism: 18K pink gold (750/1000) folding clasp adjustable to 0.5mm

As it continues to expand the mechanical and artistic potential of Haute Horlogerie through the Hybris series of limited-edition timepieces, Jaeger-LeCoultre revisits the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179, harnessing the skills of the master engravers in the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares^TM atelier.

Presented in an 18K pink gold (750/1000) case richly engraved with an image of Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek mythology, the new timepiece also features hand-lacquered dial plates and bridges. The fully skeletonised reverse dial is complemented by hand-bevelling of the bridges and tourbillon cage.

Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus is presented on a blue alligator strap with an innovative, micro-adjustable clasp and will be a limited edition of five pieces.

SHOWCASING THE ARTISTRY OF THE MÉTIERS RARES^TM ATELIER

From polo to Pegasus: The legendary winged horse of Greek mythology – believed to have carried thunderbolts for Zeus and to have created springs to flow wherever its hoof touched the ground – Pegasus symbolises freedom, creative power and elevation beyond limits. More than a myth, it represents the moment when technique becomes imagination.

This symbolism resonates with the Reverso’s equestrian origins. Designed on the polo field, its swivelling case reflects a constant interplay between protection and expression, discipline and freedom – echoing the dual nature of the horse itself. The connection extends through the Year of the Fire Horse, a sign of intensity, independence and bold energy. Together, these references position the horse as more than inspiration: a thread that unites function, symbolism and creative transformation at the heart of the Reverso.

Celebrating the savoir-faire of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares^TM atelier, the hand-engraved case marries rare artistic sensibility with remarkable precision and dexterity: the Maison’s master engraver must devote 180 hours of intensely focused work to each watch, to craft the image of Pegasus against a background of clouds. The sculptural effect of the relief engraving creates areas of reflection and shadow, emphasising the sense of volume. As the engraving wraps seamlessly around the convex case-sides, it almost completely obscures the join between the upper and lower sections of the case.

Where mechanism becomes art: The cloud motif that forms the backdrop to Pegasus is repeated on the front dial, where two dial plates – each on a different level – enhance the symmetry of the time display and the tourbillon aperture.

To create the decoration, more than 50 hollows were formed in the surface of the 18K pink gold (750/1000) plates, leaving only the cloud-shaped outlines visible. Each hollow is then hand-filled with different shades of blue lacquer, applied in multiple layers until its surface is perfectly flush with the outlines.

Between the plates, open-worked bridges, also hand-lacquered in dark blue, offer a tantalising glimpse of the movement – in keeping with the Hybris philosophy of celebrating mechanical as well as decorative art.

Turning the case over to the reverse dial, where the Duoface movement displays the second time zone, the beauty of the calibre is fully revealed.

Blue lacquer has been applied to the fine tracery of the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, highlighting the airy aesthetic. It contrasts with the warm tones of the 18K pink gold (750/1000) movement components and the soft texture of micro-blasted surfaces.

The skeletonisation is complemented by hand bevelling and hand-applied lacquer. Representing approximately 14 hours of hand-bevelling work only for the cage of the Gyrotourbillon and eight hours for the signature shape of one bridge on the reverse side, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to craftsmanship of the highest order.

A MECHANICAL MASTERPIECE

Inspired by a fascination with the tourbillon: Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature multi-axis tourbillon – a technical tour-de-force developed expressly for the rectangular case of Reverso. The demand that the regulating mechanism be integrated into a shaped movement that follows the contours of the rectangular Reverso case and is slim enough to be comfortable on the wrist, makes the engineering feat even more noteworthy. Moreover, as a Duoface movement, Calibre 179 displays a different time zone on each dial as well as a 24-hour indicator on the reverse dial.

Highly complex and visually enthralling to observe as it pirouettes around its twin axes, the Gyrotourbillon comprises 123 components, including one ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball-bearings. These two elements turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds – the inner tourbillon cage rotating 360 degrees in just 16 seconds and the peripheral carriage making a full rotation once per minute. This peripheral carriage also provides a small-seconds function, indicated on a ring that encircles the tourbillon aperture. A closer look reveals a greyed semi-spherical balance spring beating at the heart of the mechanism, as well as the distinctive double-anchor shape of a Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’ – both elements paying testament to Jaeger- LeCoultre’s tireless quest for greater precision and mechanical efficiency. In this quest, the Manufacture’s engineers have created balance springs in several different forms over the years and this hemispherical shape, perfectly adapted to the hollow sphere at the heart of the Gyrotourbillon, adds aesthetic refinement as well as mechanical efficiency. The double-anchor shape of the Gyrolab was designed to reduce air friction and thus further enhance timekeeping accuracy.

Rather than being held in place by a conventional bridge, the tourbillon mechanism is supported by a ring of ball bearings, creating the illusion that this flying Gyrotourbillon is floating freely in the space between the front and back dials of the Reverso. The effect is amplified by the light reflected from the mirror-like surface of a polished blue lacquer disc positioned on the supporting cradle of the watch directly beneath the tourbillon aperture.

REVERSO: FROM ART DECO ORIGINS TO TIMELESS DESIGN ICON

Since its creation in 1931, the Art Deco lines and swivelling case of the Reverso have made it one of the most recognisable designs in watchmaking.  The rectilinear geometry and harmonious proportions of the case belie the complexity of the signature slide-and-swivel mechanism. Emphasised by the signature gadroons above and below the dial and a deeply engraved sunray pattern on the inside of the case cradle, the strong Art Deco lines counterbalance the intricate decoration of the case and dials of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus.

A movement as complex as Calibre 179 naturally requires a generously sized case; however, with a thickness of 12.41mm and refined lugs, Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus is both elegant and wearable. Fastening the dark blue alligator strap, the adjustable folding clasp epitomises Jaeger-LeCoultre’s approach to refined elegance through technical innovation. Crafted in 18K pink gold (750/1000) and comprising 46 components, it incorporates an intricate double-wheel system that allows for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm, ensuring a perfect fit.

Crafted for true connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus blends exceptional watchmaking savoir-faire and decorative artistry in a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO HYBRIS ARTISTICA CALIBRE 179

Case: 18K pink gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 51.1 x 31 mm x 12.41 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 179

Functions: Hours and Minutes on both dials; second time zone with 24-hour indicator on reverse dial, Gyrotourbillon (visible on both front and reverse dials)

Power Reserve: 40 hours

Front dial: Blue lacquer

Back dial: Skeletonised, coated with blue lacquer

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: Blue alligator leather

Reference: Q39424E5 - Limited edition of 5 pieces

• Masterful miniaturisation:  a majestic, meticulously hand-engraved horse, requiring 80 hours of engraving work on each enamelled caseback
• Métiers Rares^TM mastery: perfectly matched Black Opaque grand feu enamel caseback and dial
• Limited edition: offering 10 pieces

Jaeger-LeCoultre pays tribute to the 2026 Lunar New Year with the creation of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’, masterfully enamelled and engraved in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of La Grande Maison. In a limited edition of just 10 pieces, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ will exceptionally be presented ahead of the Lunar New Year at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Dream Shaper exhibition in Shanghai in September 2025.

A NEW TRIBUTE TIMEPIECE WITH A DOUBLE EQUINE REFERENCE

Created in 1931 with an ingenious swivelling case, the Reverso was conceived as a solution for polo players who needed to protect the dial and glass of their watch when playing on the field. While quickly adopted by watch enthusiasts from all walks of life, drawn to the piece for its unique Art Deco aesthetic and the potential for personalised decoration on the caseback, the Reverso and its origins are forever linked to the sport played on horseback.

The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ is the fourth in a series paying homage to the Chinese Zodiac, following the Years of the Tiger, Dragon, and Snake. A symbol of power, beauty, and freedom, but also vitality, speed, and perseverance, the horse holds an important place in Chinese art and culture. Frequently depicted as a subject in itself, it now also adorns the Reverso caseback.

CELEBRATING THE HORSE AS A WORK OF ART

Turning the watch case to its reverse side reveals a majestic hand-engraved horse whose head and forelegs seem to leap out from golden clouds suspended in the sky. Surrounding it, the opaque black Grand Feu enamel complements the shine of the horse’s polished surfaces, while contrasting details on the mane, muzzle, and hooves – hand-drawn with black rhodium – add a lifelike appearance to the horse. A sand-blasted texture on the clouds enhances the illusion of movement.

To amplify the sense of volume and depth, the master engraver used a technique called modelled engraving, an exacting skill that requires absolute focus and remarkable dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work began not on a bare metal surface, as is usual, but on one already coated with Grand Feu enamel, requiring unprecedented accuracy to avoid any damage to the flawless enamel. Using 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal step by step, the engraver devoted 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.

The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ features the same glossy black Grand Feu enamel as the caseback. The elegant, Art Deco-inspired simplicity of the signature Reverso Tribute dial, with its faceted appliqué hour markers, chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands, places full value on the beauty of the glowing black background while perpetuating the Reverso aesthetic.

The apparent simplicity of the pure black enamel is subtly misleading, as Grand Feu enamelling is a process where the outcome of each firing remains partly unpredictable. Achieving such a deep, rich black requires five to six successive layers of enamel, each followed by careful firing and cooling, spread over several days of meticulous work. This is followed by half a day of polishing to achieve a perfect, uniform shine. That the two surfaces are perfectly matched in colour and purity is testament to a level of skill that can only be acquired through many years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of very few watch Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling and engraving atelier, safeguarding and advancing this ancient craft.

THE IN-HOUSE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT

Equipped with the manually wound Calibre 822, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’ indicates hours and minutes and has a power reserve of 42 hours. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre calibres, the movement was entirely designed and produced in-house at La Grande Maison’s Manufacture in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux.

With the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’, Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chapter to its story of craftsmanship and artistry, where culture and creativity evolve in harmony with the technical expertise of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘HORSE’

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18 Karats)

Dimensions: 45.6 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm

Calibre: Manually wound Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Black Opaque Grand feu enamel

Caseback: Black enamel, engraving

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator with interchangeable folding buckle

Reference: Q39324D3

Limited Edition: 10 pieces

• Xu Beihong: honoring the visionary Chinese artist whose bold ink paintings helped define modern Chinese art in the early 20^th century
• Masterful miniaturisation:  each caseback showcases a meticulously hand-painted enamel reproduction of Xu Beihong’s horse paintings, capturing lifelike detail on a canvas just 2 cm² in size
• Métiers Rares^TM mastery: a fusion of three refined crafts – enamel miniature painting, grand feu enamelling and guillochage, all mastered in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares™ atelier
• Limited edition: offering 10 pieces for each of the three Reverso Tribute Enamel models

To celebrate the forthcoming Lunar Year of the Horse, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a series of three new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces in white gold. Honouring the origins of the Reverso in the sport of polo, each caseback features a miniature reproduction of a work by the renowned Chinese artist Xu Beihong capturing the power and beauty of the horse. The dial of each piece is decorated with hand-guillochage and grand feu enamel.

AN HOMAGE TO THE HORSE, BRIDGING TWO CULTURES

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman.’ Among the most favoured pastimes was polo – a fast-paced, horseback sport. Polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj challenged watchmakers to create a timepiece that could endure the rigours of the game. The Reverso was the answer: a masterful fusion of form and function. As the design evolved, the Reverso transcended its sporting origins while retaining its swivelling case and Art Deco lines – the hallmarks of one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

While horses are intrinsically linked to the Reverso, in Chinese culture they have been revered for millennia – valued for transport, agriculture, and especially military use. Symbolising courage, strength, integrity, loyalty, grace, and power, the horse naturally became a central figure in Chinese mythology, embodied in creatures like the longma (dragon horse) and Tianma (flying horse). The horse is the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac, and in February 2026, the Lunar New Year will usher in the Year of the Horse.

INTRICATE CRAFTSMANSHIP PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE FATHER OF MODERN CHINESE ART

Xu Beihong (1895–1953), the most influential Chinese artist and art educator of the 20th century, is recognised as the pioneer of modern Chinese painting. He believed that traditional techniques had become stagnant, limiting the ability of Chinese art to convey modernity. Drawing inspiration from the European tradition – particularly through his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and his travels across Europe from 1919 to 1927 – Xu Beihong embraced oil painting and advocated for drawing from real life. Best known for his ink-and-wash depictions of horses and birds, his mastery allowed him to convey vitality and movement with remarkable economy, often embedding symbolic meaning into his brushwork.

The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Xu Beihong’ series reinterprets the artist’s legacy through three exceptional crafts: enamel miniature painting, grand feu enamelling, and guillochage – all executed by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Métiers Rares™ atelier.

THREE POWERFUL IMAGES COMPLEMENTED BY DIALS IN EVOCATIVE COLOURS

The first challenge in decorating the casebacks was to miniaturise Xu Beihong’s original ink-and-wash paintings – each over one square metre – onto surfaces just 2 cm² in size. The miniature reproductions had to capture the dynamic energy of the artist’s bold brushstrokes and the subtle detail that so eloquently conveys the spirit of the horses. Each caseback requires 80 hours of enamel painting.

On the dial side, grand feu enamel is applied over hand-guilloché patterns, offering a visual dialogue with the paintings. Each enamel colour complements the background hues of the originals – colours frequently used in Chinese landscape painting for their symbolic resonance. The refined design of the Reverso Tribute highlights the guilloché patterns and the rich enamel tones.

Two of the watches, ‘The Running Horse’and ‘Two Horses’, are inspired by Xu Beihong’s 1942 masterpiece Running Together (Six Horses) – itself an homage to the Six Steeds of the Zhao Mausoleum, a series of 7^th-century stone reliefs commemorating the warhorses of the Tang dynasty emperor Taizong. The third model, ‘The Standing Horse’, is based on Xu Beihong’s 1939 work Standing Horse, a portrait of quiet strength and nobility.

‘THE RUNNING HORSE’ – Illustration of majesty and grace

A single galloping horse, exuding majesty and grace, appears almost transcendent. The dial glows with green grand feu enamel – known in Chinese art as Evergreen Pine Green – symbolising the enduring vitality and noble resilience of ancient pines. The enamel overlays a hand-guilloché sunray pattern composed of 120 lines, crafted with precision before the enamelling begins.

‘TWO HORSES’ – Illustration of energy and mutual affinity

This dynamic scene of two galloping horses – one black, one white – evokes energy and mutual affinity. The dial features a barley-seed guilloché pattern, beneath a translucent grand feu enamel in Distant Mountain Blue. This shade recalls the misty silhouettes of far-off peaks, a serene and timeless motif in Chinese painting.

‘THE STANDING HORSE’ – Illustration of nobility and latent power

With bold brushstrokes and a commanding composition, this artwork captures the horse’s nobility and latent power. Even in stillness, it radiates movement. The dial displays a herringbone guilloché pattern of 120 precise lines beneath a layer of soft orange grand feu enamel. The tone – Crimson Dawn Orange –reflects the colours in the original painting’s landscape and evokes the warmth and vitality of sunrise.

Powered by the manually wound Manufacture Calibre 822, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Xu Beihong’ series is a fitting homage to the origins of the Reverso, a revered artist, and the upcoming Lunar New Year. Fusing fine watchmaking with decorative arts, these three timepieces are offered in limited editions of 10 pieces each.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘XU BEIHONG’, ‘THE RUNNING HORSE’

Case: 18K white gold 750/1000 (18 Karats)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Sunray-pattern guilloché, green grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334B3

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘XU BEIHONG’, ‘TWO HORSES’

Case: 18K white gold 750/1000 (18 Karats)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Barley-seed guilloché, blue grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334B2

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘XU BEIHONG’, ‘THE STANDING HORSE’

Case: 18K white gold 750/1000 (18 Karats)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Herringbone guilloché pattern, orange grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334B1

Limited edition of 10 pieces

• New in-house Calibre 834: offering a 42-hour power reserve and comprising 209 components
• Watchmaking excellence: integrating two notable complications – the World Time and the Grande Date, with a patented design of the date discs
• Refined craftsmanship: a map disc laser cut with 141 hollows hand-filled with lacquer

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces the Reverso Tribute Geographic, powered by a newly developed in-house movement, Calibre 834. A fresh interpretation of the quintessential travel time complication, displaying the world time indication on the reverse dial, it is presented in a steel case or an 18k pink gold (750/1000) case, the latter in a limited edition of 150 pieces. The new timepiece underlines the role that the Reverso has played as a catalyst for innovation over nine decades, ever since its unique swivelling case was invented in 1931.

FROM SPORTS WATCH TO HIGH COMPLICATIONS – INNOVATION CONTINUES

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

The Reverso was born as a deft synthesis of style and function. Rooted in the Art Deco aesthetics, it also embodied a mechanical revolution allowed by La Grande Maison’s expertise. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time.

This technical challenge, overtook by the Manufacture, was fully embraced in the beginning of the 1990s, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications in Reverso. Beginning in 1991, underlining its commitment to both technical and aesthetic innovation, the Manufacture developed six new Reverso calibres, each shape calibres, each reintroducing one of the great classic complications. The mechanisms driving these complications had to be completely reinvented to fit the Reverso’s case and, in many interpretations, the displays re-thought to ensure balance, harmony and legibility on the rectangular dials. In 1994, the Maison pushed innovation further with the Duoface – the first Reverso to feature a second dial on the reverse side. More than just a stylistic contrast, its two faces opened new creative possibilities by introducing different functions on each face, transforming the Reverso into a true canvas for both artistic expression and horological ingenuity.

A WORLD OF TIME ON THE WRIST

Aside from the practical value of displaying the time in 24 major time zones simultaneously, a World Time watch exudes romance and escapism. The genesis of the complication lies in the decision made in 1884 to establish standardised global time, with the Greenwich Meridian in London as the reference, or prime meridian. Despite numerous early attempts at world-time complications, it was not until 1931 that Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier invented the first successful ‘Heure Universelle’ mechanism. Most modern world-timer mechanisms are derived from his inventions. Having first mastered the complication in 1958 with the Memovox World Time, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers have introduced world timers in several models: Memovox, Geophysic, Polaris and Duometre. In 1998, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso Géographique, its first interpretation of the Reverso as a travel watch. This timepiece was one of the six complicated Reversos launched during the 1990s in limited editions of 500 pieces. In 2025, La Grande Maison presents the complication in the Reverso Tribute line for the first time. The World Time complication of Calibre 834 is both easy to read and simple to set. A hidden pusher at the top of the case, accessible when the case is removed from the cradle, allows for effortless adjustment. The tactile pusher makes a sharp and crisp slide to correct the indication with a 1-hour jump.

REFINED CRAFTSMANSHIP AND TIMELESS AESTHETICS ENHANCE AN EVOCATIVE COMPLICATION

Each dial of the Reverso Tribute Geographic is a masterpiece in its own right, offering a distinct and captivating identity. On the understated front dial, the sunray finish in rich blue (for the steel case) or chocolate (for the pink gold case) complements the signature iconography of the Reverso Tribute. The large date display is contained within a frame of polished metal that matches the case and amplifies its rectangular lines. The circular small seconds display provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry and echoes the circular world time display, revealed when turning the watch over.

On the reverse side, the world time display is set into the polished caseback. On the steel model, details in shades of blue contrast with the cool tones of the metal, while the warmth of the pink gold model is complemented by black and grey details. The construction of the display on three different levels creates a remarkable effect of visual depth. The city names are engraved directly onto the caseback; set within the aperture, the rotating 24-hour ring indicates day and night; in the centre is the world map – marked with the longitudes that provide additional visual orientation in relation to the time zones.

Created in-house at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture, the map combines the crafts of lacquering and laser engraving. Beginning with a smooth disc of steel, the areas representing the oceans are hollowed out with a laser, leaving the land masses and meridian lines as raised areas. Then, lacquer is applied to fill in the oceans. Given the intricate shapes of the map and fine details of the meridian lines, the lacquer must be applied, by hand, in carefully controlled drops using a syringe. The finished disc is polished multiple times and, while a perfectly uniform finish is essential, the lacquer and metal reflect the light differently, creating a subtle three-dimensional effect.

The new Reverso Tribute Geographic is presented with two interchangeable straps designed by Casa Fagliano, the celebrated Argentinian maker of polo and riding boots. For the steel model, one strap combines leather and canvas – inspired by the canvas-and-leather boots that Casa Fagliano makes for summer polo – and one is entirely in calf leather; the pink gold model features one strap in golden-tan calfskin and another in black alligator.

A NEW INTEGRATED MOVEMENT ENTIRELY DESIGNED, PRODUCED AND ASSEMBLED IN-HOUSE

Developed specifically for the Reverso Tribute Geographic, Calibre 834 was designed, produced and assembled entirely in-house; as always at Jaeger-LeCoultre, it is a fully integrated calibre rather than an added module. Given La Grande Maison’s philosophy of designing shaped movements that closely follow the contours of their case, the rectangular Reverso creates a particular challenge when designing complications that were traditionally conceived for round movements.

The integrated world time complication drives the classic style of 24-hour time zone display with a world map at its centre. However, there is a key difference in its operation: in most world timers, when setting the reference city to 12 o’clock, the city disc rotates while the 24-hour display remains static. Jaeger-LeCoultre has inverted this relationship, with a static display of city names and a rotating 24-hour ring, a design choice made to offer better legibility of the complication, and a one-of-a-kind display of the function. To ensure precise setting of the hour, the 24-hour ring jumps in hourly increments. The hours are set using a discreet pusher hidden between the lugs at the top of the case.

For the Grande Date display, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers developed and patented a new shape of the date discs in 2021 to accommodate it within the confined space of the rectangular Reverso case (patent CH715152). It comprises two small side-by-side discs (one for the units 1–9 and one for the 10s, 20s and 30s) rather than two “stacked” discs, as is normal. When the date passes single digits, a tiny hook on the units disc latches on to the other disc, turning it to create the double-digit reading (10th, 11th, 12th, etc.). This has the added benefit of displaying both digits on exactly the same plane, rather than one lower than the other, to create more visual harmony.

Testament to the 180 skills gathered under one roof in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s fully integrated Manufacture, the Reverso Tribute Geographic celebrates the versatility and eternal modernity of the Reverso design, underlining La Grande Maison’s constant quest to innovate in both the mechanical and aesthetic aspects of timekeeping.

THE NONANTIEME COLLECTOR’S BOX

Along with the launch of the limited edition Reverso Tribute Geographic, Jaeger-LeCoultre releases an exclusive collector’s box commemorating the 90^th anniversary of its iconic Reverso. This meticulously crafted case is designed to house six limited-edition Reverso timepieces, each representing a pinnacle of horological innovation and artistry.

Drawing inspiration from the collector’s box created for the Reverso’s 60^th anniversary in 1991, this new edition offers a unique opportunity for discerning collectors to own a piece of horological history. Each of the six compartments within the box is dedicated to a distinct Reverso model, showcasing the timepiece’s enduring legacy and the evolution of its celebrated complications. The box itself is a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, combining luxury, functionality, and a timeless aesthetic.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE GEOGRAPHIC – STEEL

Case: Steel

Dimensions: 49.4 x 29.9 mm x 11.14 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 834

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, Grande date (Front); World time (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Blue sunray

Back dial: Blue lacquer

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: blue canvas and calfskin; blue calf leather

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q714845J

REVERSO TRIBUTE GEOGRAPHIC – PINK GOLD

Case: 18k pink gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 49.4 x 29.9 mm x 11.14 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 834

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, Grande date (Front); World time (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Chocolate brown sunray

Back dial: Black lacquer

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable straps: golden-tan calf leather; black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable pin buckle 

Reference: Q714256J

Limited edition of 150 pieces

• Watchmaking excellence: Gyrotourbillon with 123 components, inner cage rotating 360° every 16 seconds, peripheral carriage rotating once per minute
• Innovative double-wheel mechanism adjustable buckle: white gold (18k, 750/1000) folding buckle with 46 components, weighing nearly 30 grams, adjustable to 0.5mm
• Hybris Artistica: the decorative plates and bridges, made of white gold (18k, 750/1000), are laser cut to create 200 hollows, which are then lacquered by 1 single craftsman per timepiece – an art only mastered by 3 craftsmen in the Manufacture

Exploring the full potential of the Reverso as a canvas for artistic expression, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 in 2023—an exceptional timepiece that united the highest watchmaking expertise with intricate and sophisticated artistic decoration. Marrying La Grande Maison’s signature multi-axis tourbillon to the finest decorative craftsmanship, this creation exemplified the philosophy of the Hybris collection. In 2025, the Maison reinterprets the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 in 18k white gold (750/1000), to be produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces.

A TOUR-DE-FORCE OF MECHANICAL INGENUITY INSPIRED BY A FASCINATION WITH THE TOURBILLON

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

The Reverso was born as a deft synthesis of style and function. Rooted in the Art Deco aesthetics, it also embodied a mechanical revolution allowed by La Grande Maison’s expertise. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time.

This technical challenge, overtook by the Manufacture, was fully embraced in the beginning of the 1990s, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications in Reverso. Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the Gyrotourbillon, the Manufacture’s signature multi-axis tourbillon (historical patent CH694598A5) – a technical tour-de-force developed specifically for the Reverso. The demand that the regulating mechanism be integrated into a shaped movement that follows the contours of the rectangular Reverso case and is slim enough to be comfortable on the wrist, makes the engineering feat even more noteworthy. Moreover, Calibre 179 is a Duoface movement (historical patent EP0633514), displaying a different time zone on each dial as well as a 24-hour indicator for the second time zone on the reverse dial.

Visually enthralling to observe as it pirouettes around its twin axes, the structure of the Gyrotourbillon is highly complex: with a total of 123 components, it comprises one ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball-bearings; these two elements turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds. The inner tourbillon cage rotates 360 degrees every 16 seconds and the peripheral carriage makes a full rotation once per minute; this peripheral carriage also provides a small seconds function, indicating the seconds on a ring that encircles the tourbillon aperture. A closer look reveals a greyed semi-spherical balance spring beating at the heart of the mechanism, as well as the distinctive double-anchor shape of a Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’ – both elements paying testament to Jaeger- LeCoultre’s tireless pursuit of greater precision and mechanical efficiency. In this quest, the Manufacture’s engineers have created balance springs in several different forms over the years and this hemispherical shape, perfectly adapted to the hollow sphere at the heart of the Gyrotourbillon add aesthetic refinement as well as being highly efficient. The double-anchor shape of the Gyrolab was designed to reduce air friction and thus further enhance timekeeping accuracy.

Rather than being held in place by a conventional bridge, the tourbillon mechanism is supported by a ring of ball bearings. As a result, this flying Gyrotourbillon appears to be floating in the space between the front and back dials of the Reverso, with no apparent means of support. The effect is amplified by the light reflected from the mirror-like surface of a polished blue lacquer disc positioned on the supporting cradle of the watch directly beneath the tourbillon aperture.

A NEW COLOUR PALETTE SHOWCASES THE SKILLS OF THE MANUFACTURE’S CRAFTSMEN

Anchoring the colour palette of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 and creating a rich contrast with the solid white gold case, bridges and decorative plates, shiny dark blue lacquer also decorates the front and reverse dials of the watch.

With its double-sided, Duoface movement, this Reverso offers two distinct personalities. On the front dial, in a subtle allusion to the geometric patterns of Art Deco that determined the original Reverso design, a lattice of fine lines matches the colour of the precious metal case. The cool, silvery tones of the white gold contrast with the blue lacquer of the decorative plates and bridges, complementing the deep blue gradient lacquer of the front dial.

These lines are in fact ultra-fine ribs of the calibre plate metal, which remained when the surface was hollowed out to create depressions to contain the lacquer. A work of extraordinary precision, the lacquer was deftly hand-applied between the metal ribs to achieve the desired richness of colour and exactly the right depth; the surface is then polished by hand by the same craftsman to a glossy finish that is perfectly flush with the ribs.

On the reverse dial, blue lacquer has been applied to the fine tracery of the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, highlighting the airy aesthetic and contrasting with the warm tones of various movement components and the soft texture of the micro-blasting. The decoration on the reverse dial is a fascinating marriage of technology and tradition, with laser skeletonisation complemented by hand chamfering and hand-applied lacquer – affirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s deep commitment to tradition while constantly seeking innovative approaches to the art and science of horology. Representing approximately 14 hours of chamfering work only for the cage of the Gyrotourbillon and eight hours for the signature shape of one bridge on the reverse side, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is testament to La Grande Maison’s commitment to hand-craftsmanship of the highest order.

A PERFECT EXPRESSION OF ART DECO DESIGN CREATES A TIMELESS ICON

Instantly recognisable, the rectilinear geometry and harmonious proportions of the Reverso case belie the complexity of a design that incorporates the signature slide-and-swivel mechanism. The inside of the cradle is decorated with a deeply engraved sunray pattern that radiates out from a blue lacquer disc. The strong Art Deco lines, emphasised by the signature gadroons above and below the dial, provide a perfect foil for the intricate decoration of the two dials of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179.

Comprising 382 components, including the intricate Gyrotourbillon, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 embodies exceptional complexity. Yet, with an overall thickness of just 13.63mm and refined lugs, it remains both elegant and effortlessly comfortable – a testament to the ingenuity of our engineers in achieving such a harmonious balance of sophistication and wearability.

Crafted entirely in white gold (18k, 750/1000) and weighing nearly 30 grams, the adjustable folding buckle of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 epitomises both technical innovation and refined elegance. Comprising 46 meticulously assembled components, this intricate mechanism incorporates a double-wheel system that allows for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm, ensuring a perfectly tailored fit. Designed to complement the exceptional artistry of the timepiece, the buckle combines ergonomic sophistication with the timeless allure of precious metal, reflecting Jaeger-LeCoultre’s dedication to both precision and comfort.

Crafted for true connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre – a remarkable collaboration between watchmakers and artisans who are at the peak of their crafts.

Crafted for true connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre – a remarkable collaboration between watchmakers and artisans who are at the peak of their crafts.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO HYBRIS ARTISTICA CALIBRE 179

Case: White gold (18k, 750/1000)

Dimensions: 51.1 x 31 mm x 13.63 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 179

Functions: Hours and Minutes on both dials; second time zone with 24-hour indicator on reverse dial, Gyrotourbillon (visible on both front and reverse dials)

Power Reserve: 40 hours

Front dial: Blue lacquer

Back dial: Skeletonised, coated with blue lacquer

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: Blue alligator leather

Reference: Q39434E1

Limited edition of 10 pieces

• Meticulous gem-setting: 40 hours of work to set 277 diamonds (1.59 carats)
• Miniature-painted grand feu enamelling: 15 firings representing 60 hours of enamel work
• Limited edition: offering 10 pieces

Recognised as an icon of Art Deco design, the Reverso has become an exceptional canvas for artistic decoration, exemplified by the feminine Reverso One collection. For 2025, La Grande Maison introduces a new interpretation of the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’, a masterpiece of enamel and gem-setting first created in 2023. Set in a white gold case (18k, 750/1000), the new timepiece will be produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces.

INSPIRED BY ART DECO GEOMETRY

First introduced in 1931, the Reverso stood out as a quintessential example of Art Deco design. While initially created for the polo field, it quickly began to appear in feminine form, even before the first anniversary of its launch. A practical and elegant merging of aesthetic and function, its blank metal caseback was left free for the wearer to personalise – initially with an engraved message or lacquered motif. From those beginnings, the Maison has explored and developed the creative opportunities presented by the double-sided case (historical patent CH159982), unleashing the art of decoration.

In homage to its origins, the richly decorated case of the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ pays direct tribute to Art Deco style. Emerging in the mid-1920s and named (many decades later) after the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Art Deco grew directly out of the dramatic social and cultural changes that followed the First World War. With an exuberant and streamlined elegance that emphasised clean, strong lines as an organising principle, it reflected the new sense of freedom and hedonism that permeated every aspect of society. In surface decoration, the repetitive use of parallel lines and rectilinear motifs to form chevrons and zigzags was amplified by blocks of colour and gleaming metal accents, creating a visual dynamism that remains captivating to this day.

Embracing the growing appreciation for rare handcrafts, it is this design language that the talented artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Métiers Rares^TM atelier have translated for the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’.

A TOUR-DE-FORCE OF THE DECORATIVE CRAFTS

With a scintillating geometric pattern that covers the entire caseback and wraps seamlessly around the case sides to frame the dial, the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ unites the crafts of miniature-painted grand feu enamel and diamond-setting. The process of creating this decoration is complex and demanding, requiring full mastery of each technique, as well as the impeccable coordination of the different crafts.

First, the areas destined for gem-setting must be drawn with absolute precision. The remaining areas, which are to be enamelled, are then hollowed out to create a flat surface that must be perfectly uniform, so that there will be no variation in the depth of the enamel and thus the intensity of the colours. To begin the enamelling process, the white gold case metal is sealed with a fondant enamel and fired. Next, to create a pristine surface onto which the multi-coloured design will be painted, the enameller applies two layers of opaque white enamel, with drying and firing after each layer. Then, working entirely by eye, the enameller begins to create the shapes of the geometric design. The raised rectangles that are to be gem-set are used as a reference to determine the choice of angles and dimensions of the triangles and rectangles that are to be enamelled. For this complex pattern, it is essential that no adjoining shapes are exactly the same – and the process is even more challenging where the design continues seamlessly around the case sides to the edge of the dial.

Once the pattern is finalised, the colouring can begin. Using a very fine-tipped sable brush, the entire surface is hand-painted to create the blocks of different colour – again working layer by layer, with firing after every application – until the enameller is fully satisfied with the depth and intensity of each colour. Once the firing of the colours is completed, more layers of transparent fondant are applied. This final coating preserves the colours and enhances the sense of depth; this exceptionally durable surface is then hand-polished to achieve a shiny, glazed appearance, with the smooth finish of a sheet of glass. Known as the Geneva technique – miniature painting protected by layers of transparent enamel – the mastery of this complex process typically requires five years of enamelling experience.

Enamelling the convex case sides of the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ at the same time as the flat caseback is particularly challenging, because the two areas require a different consistency of enamel for better adherence during the firing. Equally challenging is the question of colour: just as an artist would do with paints on a palette, the enameller blends different metal oxide pigments together to achieve the desired colour. However, with grand feu enamelling the outcome is unpredictable because firing at 800 degrees Centigrade changes some pigments, causing them not to blend as expected. It is only with years of experience and careful experimentation that an enameller can predict the outcome with any degree of accuracy. The Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ case requires up to 15 firings, as well as multiple phases of drying at 200 degrees. Excluding the drying time between firings, the enamelling represents 60 hours of work.

After enamelling, the Reverso case is handed over to the gem-setter, who must work with absolute precision to ensure that the diamonds are perfectly set. Using the grain-setting technique, tiny claws of white gold are raised from the flat metal surface to hold each stone in place. This must be done without disturbing the finished enamel nor encroaching on the perfectly straight lines that define the coloured fields and separate them from the gem-set ones. Setting the 277 diamonds (1.59 carats) that decorate the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ requires 40 hours of meticulous work.

A great benefit of Jaeger-LeCoultre having its own decorative crafts atelier within the Manufacture, gathering multiple skills together under one roof, is that the different artisans are able to work so closely together, exchanging ideas and sharing their creative energy.

A NEW INTERPRETATION OF THE REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS COLOURS’

With the dial facing outwards, the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ has an elegant presence, the soft glow of white mother-of-pearl complementing the flashes of enamelled colour around its frame and the sparkle of the diamond-set gadroons and lugs. The dial is finely detailed, with the narrow brackets in each corner, the transferred numerals and the Dauphine hands that are signatures of all Reverso One jewellery models. A reverse-set diamond adorns the winding crown, and the watch is fastened to the wrist by a shiny white alligator strap.

Turn the swivelling case over, and the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ becomes a piece of High Jewellery, with six different enamel colours complemented by brilliant-cut white diamonds. Three pastel shades in nuances of grey, mauve and pink – colours that epitomise Art Deco style – complement the white gold of the case, and contrasting highlights in dark purple, white and yellow amplify the optical illusion of depth and movement. The use of yellow and pink is especially notable because, of all enamel pigments, they are the least predictable when fired at the high temperatures required for the grand feu process.

Concealed within the case, the movement that powers the Reverso One ‘Precious Colours’ – the hand-wound Calibre 846 – was developed and produced entirely within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. It was created specifically for the Reverso and, in keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of product integrity, is shaped to follow the contours of the rectangular case.

Reaffirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of the decorative crafts along with fine jewellery techniques and deftly fusing functionality, aesthetics and fine watchmaking, this boldly feminine interpretation of the Reverso is a jewel to be worn, as well as a watch to tell the time.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS COLOURS’

Case: 18k white gold (750/1000)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20mm; thickness 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes

Dial: Mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel and diamonds

Diamonds: 277 diamonds ~ 1.59 carats

Strap: White alligator with interchangeable double folding buckle

Reference: Q3293433

Limited edition of 10 pieces

• Refined grand feu champlevé enamelling: 15 hours of work for Green Arums, 30 hours for Purple Arums
• Meticulous snow- and grain-setting: 45 hours of work to set 409 diamonds (2.59 carats) for the Green Arums, and 95 hours to set 637 diamonds (2.12 carats) for the Purple Arums
• Limited edition: 2 timepieces of 10 pieces each

In 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ series with models that united the codes of fine watchmaking, artistic crafts, and high jewellery to bring vivid colours along with an unparalleled level of sophistication to the Reverso One case. In 2025, two new models of exceptional beauty are being introduced: the Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ – Green Arums, and the Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ – Purple Arums. Exploring the beauty of flowers, both models are presented in pink gold (18k – 750/1000) cases and each will be produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces.

AN INSPIRED COLLECTION UNITING ARTISTIC CRAFTS WITH THE ICONIC REVERSO CASE

First introduced in 1931, the Reverso stood out as a quintessential example of Art Deco design. While initially created for the polo field, it quickly began to appear in feminine form, even before the first anniversary of its launch. A practical and elegant merging of aesthetic and function, its blank metal caseback was left free for the wearer to personalise – initially with an engraved message or lacquered motif. From those beginnings, the Maison has explored and developed the creative opportunities presented by the double-sided case (historical patent CH159982), unleashing the art of decoration.

The introduction of the Reverso One case, with its finer, more elongated proportions, provided an ideal canvas for adornment with rich colours and precious gems. The dial-side of the watch offers only a subtle hint of the resplendent decoration on the back: against a background of delicate mother-of-pearl,  brackets define the four corners of the dial – creating a frame for the numerals, transferred in the signature Reverso One font. The gadroons and lugs are highlighted by the sparkle of grain-set diamonds, and the winding crown is embellished with a reverse-set diamond.

Expressing the poetic and feminine theme of flowers, the Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ series has grown progressively to include white lilies, brightly coloured arums, tropical birds-of-paradise and hibiscus flowers. Each model is a unique work of art, brilliantly decorated with different techniques including enamelling, paillonnage, engraving, lacquering, and gem-setting, according to the model.

SHOWCASING THE CRAFTS OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SETTING

The 2025 Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ interpretations present an explosion of vivid enamel colours and brilliant-cut diamonds. Colourful bouquets of arums are created using the grand feu champlevé enamelling technique, a demanding five-step process that begins with the hollowing-out of the metal surface to leave only the outline of each flower or leaf. The shallow troughs are then filled with powdered glass enamel that must be fired at temperatures up to 800° Centigrade. Up to 10 coats of enamel and firings are necessary, one layer at a time, to achieve the desired tonal nuances, intensity and depth of colour. Requiring at least two years of rigorous training and experience to master this skill, an expert enameller knows almost instinctively the precise moment when the enamel must be removed from the kiln, to avoid flaws such as bubbles or cracks and – because pigments often change during the heating process – to acquire the desired colours.

For designs that incorporate diamonds, gem-setting can begin only after the enamel work is completed. This task is made more difficult because a gem-setter requires soft metal, whereas the pink gold has become hardened by the extreme heat of firing; it also requires an exceptional level of precision since the slightest mistake could compromise countless hours of enamelling work. To set the diamonds on the ‘Precious Flowers’ cases, both grain- and snow-setting techniques are used. Grain-setting frames the dial and highlights the geometry of the cases, while snow-setting transforms the metal areas between the flowers and leaves of the enamelled motif. Using diamonds of different sizes, in arrangements that are determined by the shape of the area to be set, the snow-setting technique creates an almost unbroken surface of light and sparkle that amplifies the fresh colours of the enamel.

To support the advancement of craft skills and sharing of ideas, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a dedicated atelier within the Manufacture where all Métiers Rares™ (Rare Handcrafts) are performed: gem-setting, engraving and a wide range of different enamelling techniques. It is by working in such close proximity that the various specialised artisans in this atelier are able to have the necessary discussions and exchanges throughout the entire process of transforming unadorned metal surfaces into magnificent pieces of jewellery.

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ GREEN ARUMS

In a lengthy and carefully orchestrated process, three different artistic techniques have been brought together to create the Green Arums model. The Green grand feu champlevé enamelling process alone requires 15 hours of meticulous crafting. Surrounding the flowers and foliage, a total of 409 diamonds (2.59 carats) have been patiently and expertly set using the snow- and grain-setting techniques – a process requiring 45 hours.

Contrasting with the bright green tones of the enamel and adding depth to the motif, black lacquer is applied among the flowers and leaves. In a process demanding absolute precision, fragments of lacquered material are cut into the exact shape and size of the spaces to be filled and are then fixed into place.

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ PURPLE ARUMS

The Purple Arums interpretation offers a stunning cameo of purple, pink and green grand feu champlevé enamel, requiring a total of 30 hours to craft. The floral design wraps seamlessly around the case-sides, from the back to the bezel, covering curves and angles that add to the complexity of the artisans’ work, with snow-set diamonds covering the entire motif. With painstaking precision, a total of 637 diamonds (2.12 carats) are snow- and grain-set, requiring an additional 95 hours of work to complete.

These highly specialised crafts transform the two new Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ timepieces into stunning celebrations of nature and femininity. Fixed by shiny alligator straps that complement the enamel colours, these timepieces also highlight La Grande Maison’s technical watchmaking mastery, as they are run by the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846, a movement shaped by the Maison especially for the Reverso.

Attesting to the Manufacture’s horological savoir-faire, artistic craftsmanship and jewellery-making skills, these new Reverso One timepieces pay homage to the women who continue to inspire Jaeger-LeCoultre.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ – GREEN ARUMS

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18k)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20 mm x 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes

Dial: Mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Enamel, diamonds, lacquer

Diamonds: 409 brilliant-cut diamonds for 2.59 carats

Strap: Shiny green alligator

Reference: Q3292434

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ – PURPLE ARUMS

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18k)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20 mm x 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: hours and minutes

Dial: mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Enamel, diamonds

Diamonds: 637 brilliant-cut diamonds for 2.12 carats

Strap: shiny purple alligator

Reference: Q3292435

Limited edition of 10 pieces

• Iconic Duoface mechanism: Calibre 854, 160 components, two time zones, 42-hour power reserve
• Signature swivelling case: comprising 50 components
• New dial colours: pure black, recalling the original timepiece, and a vivid blue, crafted with 24 layers of coloured and transparent lacquer
• Refined back dial: sleeker and contemporary redesign echoing the 1931 front dial aesthetic

Underlining the timeless modernity of the Reverso’s unique swivelling case and Art Deco design, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents two new versions of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds. With a choice of pure black or vivid blue and a redesigned reverse dial, the new models pay homage to the coloured dials introduced on the earliest Reverso models of the 1930s.

FROM POLO INSPIRATION TO TIMELESS ICON

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

The Reverso was born as a deft synthesis of style and function. Rooted in the Art Deco aesthetics, it also embodied a mechanical revolution allowed by La Grande Maison’s expertise. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time.

This technical challenge, overtook by the Manufacture, was fully embraced in the beginning of the 1990s, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications in Reverso. In 1994, the Maison launched the Duoface (historical patent EP0633514) – the first time the reverse side was used to host a second dial. More than just a stylistic contrast, its unique two faces opened new creative possibilities by introducing different functions on each face, transforming the Reverso into a true canvas for both artistic expression and horological ingenuity. The genius of this timepiece lies in its dual back-to-back dials, each with its own set of hands that rotate in opposite directions yet are driven by a single movement. The Duoface calibre employs a second gear train to reverse the rotation of the hands on the verso, enabling independent time adjustment on both faces. A gear connected to the front minute hand transmits motion to the reverse side, where a separate mechanism allows for time zone adjustments.

Building on this legacy, in 2025, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds displays a different time zone on each dial. In addition, the front dial features a small seconds register and the reverse dial a 24-hour/night-and-day display. Shaped to fit the rectangular Reverso case, the hand-wound Calibre 854 is designed so that the minutes on both dials and the hours on the front dial can be adjusted by the crown, while the hours for the second time zone are adjusted by a small slider set into the top case-band. The slider is completely invisible, except when the case is released from the carriage to be flipped over, thus maintaining the perfectly sleek case design. A deeply etched sunray pattern on the inner surface of the carriage adds to the visual enjoyment of turning the watch over.

NEW DIAL COLOURS AND A PURE AESTHETIC PAY HOMAGE TO THE ORIGINAL 1930S REVERSO

Marrying the dual-time zone complication of the Duoface with the purified aesthetic of the Tribute collection, the two new Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds are cased in steel – as were the earliest Reverso models. Less than a year after it created the Reverso, La Grande Maison introduced coloured dials made on demand, adding a note of exuberance to the streamlined design. These two new editions – with a sunray-brushed dial in pure black or vivid blue – pay homage to the black dials of the original 1931 Reverso and recall the early use of colour, further enriching the Reverso story. For the blue dial, the lacquering is a complex craft that requires a high degree of skill, achieved by applying 24 layers of coloured and transparent lacquer, which adds visual depth and permanently fixes the colour. Every layer is applied by hand and had to be meticulously dried before applying the next layer.

The signature iconography of the Reverso Tribute dial also recalls the purity of the 1930s original. The hours are marked by applied indexes rather than numerals. Their elongated shape and faceted profile add visual depth and echo the form of the Dauphine hands. The circular track of the small seconds display, at six o’clock, provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case.

Redesigned in a sleeker and more contemporary style, the reverse dial plays on the tension between circles and straight lines, unified by an overall sunray-brushed background that reflects constantly changing tones of silver as it catches the light. The double lines of the elongated indexes echo the three signature gadroons, above and below the dial, providing a strong visual anchor for the 24-hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock.

The two new Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds models are presented with two interchangeable straps that match the dial colour. Designed by Casa Fagliano, the celebrated Argentinian maker of polo and riding boots, one combines leather and canvas – a style inspired by the canvas-and-leather boots that Casa Fagliano makes for summer polo – and one entirely in calf leather.

These new additions to the Reverso Tribute Duoface collection underline the great versatility of its Art Deco design, as Jaeger-LeCoultre unites timeless aesthetics with fine mechanics to create thoroughly modern watches that are destined to become enduring classics.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS – BLACK

Case: Steel

Dimensions: 47 mm x 28.3 mm x 10.34 mm

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds (Front); Second time zone, 24-hour indicator (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Black sunray

Back dial: Silver-colour sunray

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: black calf leather; grey canvas and calfskin

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q398847J

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS – BLUE

Case: Steel

Dimensions: 47 x 28.3 mm x 10.34 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds (Front); Second time zone, 24-hour indicator (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Blue sunray lacquer

Back dial: Silver-colour sunray

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: blue calf leather; blue canvas and calfskin

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q3988481

Back dial: Silver-colour sunray

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: black calf leather; grey canvas and calfskin

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q398847J

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS – BLUE

Case: Steel

Dimensions: 47 x 28.3 mm x 10.34 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds (Front); Second time zone, 24-hour indicator (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Blue sunray lacquer

Back dial: Silver-colour sunray

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: blue calf leather; blue canvas and calfskin

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q3988481

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Two interchangeable Casa Fagliano Design straps: blue calf leather; blue canvas and calfskin

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q3988481

• Persian miniature painting: requiring 100 hours for the creation of each caseback
• Métiers Rares^TM mastery: 4 refined crafts – enamel miniature painting, grand feu enamelling, paillonnage and guillochage
• Limited edition: offering 4 timepieces of 10 pieces each

Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a series of four new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces that celebrate the origins of the Reverso in the sport of polo, capture the power and beauty of the horse, and pay homage to one of the world’s greatest works of literature and art – the Persian epic poem, Shahnameh. In tribute to the history of miniature painting, which originated in Persia, the caseback of each piece features a miniature reproduction of an illustration from the magnificent edition of the Shahnameh dedicated to Shah Tahmasp created in the 16^th century. Just as the Reverso was born from polo, these timepieces tell a story within a story – capturing not only the essence of the game that inspired its creation but also paying homage to polo’s ancient Persian origins through the artistry of miniature enamel painting. The new timepieces combine four traditional crafts: miniature enamel painting, paillonnage, grand feu enamel and guillochage, reaffirming the skill and talents gathered together in La Grande Maison’s in-house Métiers Rares™ atelier in the Vallée de Joux.

AN HOMAGE TO THE HORSE, THROUGH THE SPORT OF POLO

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

The origins of polo, however, trace back far beyond the British Raj to ancient Persia, as celebrated in the Shahnameh. Horses, revered as sacred, were integral to Persian culture and central to activities such as battle, hunting, and sport. Polo, a display of harmony between horse and rider, was first recorded in Persia more than 2,000 years ago. As the sport spread to India, the nobility became enthusiastic players and it became a cornerstone of social life. It was in this environment that César de Trey was inspired to create the Reverso, a watch that subtly carries the legacy of this noble and ancient sport.

A LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSIAN CULTURE AND ENAMEL MINIATURE PAINTING

The Reverso’s design brought an unexpected benefit beyond its practical function on the polo field. Its blank metal flip provided an ideal canvas for personalisation, initially through lacquer and engraving. Polo-playing soldiers in India, who commissioned Reverso timepieces, often adorned them with their coat of arms or initials during visits to Indian royal courts. Some took this a step further, challenging the Manufacture to reproduce Indian miniatures – an art form deeply rooted in the tradition of oriental miniature painting – on the back of their watches.

Embracing this challenge, Jaeger-LeCoultre refined the ancestral enamelling technique, adapting it to the Reverso’s proportions and giving rise to some of the most intricate and evocative timepieces in its history. Over the decades, enamelling has journeyed alongside the Reverso, continually evolving to celebrate different cultures and themes, ensuring that the art form remains at the heart of La Grande Maison’s creative expression.

Dating back to 1936 and 1949, the Jaeger-LeCoultre museum holds two extraordinary examples of this craftsmanship: the Reverso ‘Indian Beauty’, depicting an Indian princess, and the Reverso ‘Rama’, representing the Hindu god Rama. These masterpieces mark the beginning of a rich artistic legacy that continues today with the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Shahnameh’.

Just as the Reverso was born from polo, these latest timepieces bring its story full circle – honouring both the sport’s Persian origins and the enduring artistry of miniature enamel painting, which led the Maison to discover Persian culture and, most notably, the Shahnameh. Also known as the Book of Kings, this Persian epic was written by the poet Ferdowsi over more than 20 years, from 977 to 1010. Comprising 50,000 rhyming couplets, it chronicles the history of Persia’s rulers – from its mythical beginnings to its conquest by the Arabs in 642.

One of the most magnificent editions of the Shahnameh is the copy dedicated to Shah Tahmasp, containing 258 illustrations – each considered a masterpiece of Persian miniature painting. Created by two generations of Persia’s greatest artists, this edition was presented in 1568 to the Ottoman sultan Selim II and held at the Topkapi Palace for several centuries. In the 1970s, its bound manuscript was broken up, and its folios are now dispersed among museums and private collections worldwide.

INTRICATE CRAFTSMANSHIP CELEBRATES PERSIAN MINIATURE PAINTING AND THE IN-HOUSE MÉTIERS RARES™ ATELIER

The term Persian miniature painting refers specifically to paintings made on paper using opaque watercolours, ink, silver and various forms of gold. Despite the name, they are not miniature in size but are generally “book sized”, to be bound in with illuminated manuscripts. Miniature painting flourished in Persia from the 13th century onwards, reached its apotheosis in the 16th century – when the Shah Tahmasp Shahmaneh was created – and also made its way to Mughal India. This rich tradition of finely detailed, miniature artworks is the reason why such paintings were commissioned to be enamelled on the back of Reverso watches, offering a unique way to preserve and showcase these masterpieces while embracing the art of miniature painting in a wearable form. Persian miniatures are characterised by a flattened, multi-layered style rendered in bright and pure colours, with great attention to detail in the subjects’ costumes and the background landscapes or architecture.

Expressing the Maison’s vision of art and culture, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Shahnameh’ series reinterprets Persian miniature painting through four exceptional crafts – enamel miniature painting, grand feu enamelling, paillonnage and guillochage – in a magnificent showcase for the talents and skills being nurtured in the Manufacture’s in-house Métiers Rares^TM atelier.

The first of many challenges in decorating the caseback was to miniaturise the original works – measuring 48 x 32 cm, drawn with the finest of lines and packed with tiny details – and reproduce them on a surface of 2 cm². Moreover, the reproductions had to recreate the dreamlike feeling of a mythical world and the drama of the stories, and to replicate dozens of rich colours.

The enamel paintings are further elevated by the craft of paillonnage, where delicate pieces of fine gold leaf (24k, 999/1000) are carefully cut to match the shape and size of the desired motif, a tribute to the traditional technique of using gold leaf in the original Persian miniatures to achieve a rich, lustrous gold hue. The paillons (fragments) are then meticulously placed by hand on the surface to be enamelled. This highly skilled work requires 100 hours of miniature enamel painting and paillonnage for the creation of each caseback.

On the front dial of each watch, grand feu enamel is applied over a hand-guilloché base executed on a 100-year-old hand operated lathe – an evocative artistic response to the miniature paintings on the casebacks. The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute design codes places full value on the beauty of the guilloché pattern and the rich colour of the enamel.

On the front dial of each watch, grand feu enamel is applied over a hand-guilloché base – an evocative artistic response to the miniature paintings on the casebacks. The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute design codes places full value on the beauty of the guilloché pattern and the rich colour of the enamel.

FOUR EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES COMPLEMENTED BY COLOURFUL DIALS

The Shahnameh divides Persian history into three main cycles: myth, legends and history. The four paintings chosen for the Reverso Tribute Enamel series depict stories from the legends cycle and, in each, horses feature strongly – demonstrating their central importance in Persian culture.

SIYAVUSH PLAYS POLO BEFORE AFRASIYAB (METROPOLITAN MUSEUM NEW YORK)

Illustrated Folio No.180, attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali, painted circa 1525-30

Unusual in its explicit reference to polo, this painting highlights the significant status of the game at the Safavid court during the time it was created. In the second cycle of the Shahnameh, two legendary Persian provinces were fierce rivals. The Turanian king, Afrasiyab, proposed a game of polo, which Siyavush boldly accepted – and ultimately won. Reflecting the vibrant blue of the sky depicted in the painting, the dial of this model is adorned with vivid blue grand feu enamel applied over a guilloché sunray pattern, featuring 120 lines and crafted through 7 hours of meticulous work in addition to 8 hours for the enamelling.

FARIDUN IN THE GUISE OF A DRAGON TESTS HIS SONS (AGA KHAN MUSEUM, TORONTO)

Illustrated Folio No.42, attributed to Aqa Mirak, painted circa 1525-35

In Ferdowsi’s poem, Persian King Faridun transformed himself into an azhdaha – a mythical dragon – to secretly gauge the characters of his three sons. When confronted with the fire-breathing monster, the first one fled, the second prepared to fight, and the third remained calm, demonstrating the wisdom and bravery needed to rule. The scene depicted in the painting symbolises the virtues of leadership and filial loyalty in Persian culture. The dial of this watch is adorned with an intricate herringbone guilloché pattern, consisting of 120 lines and requiring 7 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. This design lies beneath a layer of translucent grand feu enamel in a light blue hue, harmonising with the colour of the landscape depicted in the painting where the sons confront the dragon.

SAAM COMES TO MOUNT ALBURZ (MUSEUM FÜR ISLAMISCHE KUNST, BERLIN)

Illustrated Folio No.63, attributed to unknown artist and supposedly commissioned by Sultan Muhammad, painted circa 1535

Saam, a revered warrior, abandoned his newborn son Zal – whose white hair was considered a sign of demonic possession – on Mount Alburz. Simurgh, a mythical bird that lived at the mountain’s summit, raised the child with care and wisdom. Years later, filled with regret, Saam ascended Mount Alburz to seek forgiveness and reclaim his son. The scene of Zal’s reunion with Saam reflects the themes of forgiveness, divine intervention, and the bond between father and son. Echoing the various shades of green in the painting, the watch dial is adorned with a wavy guilloché pattern, comprising 32 precise lines. This intricate design lies beneath a translucent green grand feu enamel, crafted with 7 hours of meticulous workmanship.

RUSTAM PURSUES AKVAN, THE ONAGER-DIV (AGA KHAN MUSEUM)

Illustrated Folio 294, attributed to Muzaffar ‘Ali’, painted circa 1530-35

Perhaps the most celebrated champion of Persian folklore, Rustam was called upon by a Shah to slay an onager (wild ass) that was threatening his horses. Rustam, the son of Zal and grandson of Saam, continues the lineage of heroic figures in Persian mythology, linking his feats to those of his forebears. In this painting, Rustam prepares to lasso the wild ass. As the lasso touches its neck, the onager vanishes, revealing its true identity to be Akvan, a Div (demon). Complementing the vibrant hues of the vegetation in the painting, the dial of this model is decorated with rich green grand feu enamel applied over an intricate guilloché lozenge pattern, featuring 980 lines and requiring 7 hours of meticulous craftsmanship.

The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Shahnameh’ is a noble tribute to a majestic work of art and literature, as well as to the origin-story of the Reverso. A superb marriage of fine watchmaking with the decorative crafts of guillochage, grand feu enamelling, paillonnage and miniature enamel painting, this series of four exceptional watches is offered in a limited edition of 10 pieces each.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘SHAHNAMEH’ – Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab

Case: 18-karat white gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Sunrayed guilloché pattern, grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel, paillonnage

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334S1

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘SHAHNAMEH’ – Faridun Tests His Sons

Case: 18-karat white gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Herringbone guilloché, grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel, paillonnage

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334S2

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘SHAHNAMEH’ – Saam Comes to Mount Alburz

Case: 18-karat white gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Wavy guilloché, grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel, paillonnage

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334S3

Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘SHAHNAMEH’ – Rustam Pursues Akvan

Case: 18-karat white gold (750/1000)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Lozenge guilloché pattern, grand feu enamel

Caseback: Miniature-painted grand feu enamel, paillonnage

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable double-folding clasp

Reference: Q39334S4

Limited edition of 10 pieces

• New Calibre 953: a fully integrated movement including 7 patented inventions
• Métiers Rares^TM mastery: 4 hours of guilloché and 8 hours of enamelling on the in-house enamel dial
• Adjustable folding buckle: 46 pink gold (18k, 750/1000) components, weighing 30 grams, adjustable to 0.5mm
• Part of the new Nonantieme Collector’s Box: one of the six complicated Reversos part of an exclusive collector’s box celebrating the enduring watchmaking expertise of Jaeger-LeCoultre

With a new in-house movement, Calibre 953, Jaeger-LeCoultre reinvents the Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater. Its distinctive dials on both the front and reverse sides bring a new visual expression to the complication and showcase the work of the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares^TM atelier. To be issued in a limited edition of 30 pieces, the new Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater underlines how the Reverso’s unique swivelling case and Art Deco design have made it not only an icon of style but also an exceptional canvas for innovation in both the mechanical and aesthetic aspects of timekeeping.

FROM POLO FIELD TO HIGH COMPLICATIONS – THE EVOLUTION OF AN ICON

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.  

The Reverso was born as a deft synthesis of style and function. Rooted in the Art Deco aesthetics it also embodied a mechanical revolution allowed by La Grande Maison’s expertise. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time.

This technical challenge overtook by the Manufacture was fully embraced at the beginning of the 1990s, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications in Reverso. In 1994, La Grande Maison presented the Reverso Minute Repeater. It was the first time Jaeger-LeCoultre had miniaturised a minute repeater for a wristwatch, and it was the Maison’s first rectangular minute repeater movement.

A LEGACY OF CHIMING WATCHES AND CONTINUAL INNOVATION IN MINUTE REPEATER CALIBRES

Considered by watchmakers to be the most challenging yet rewarding of all horological complications to master, a minute repeater is not only a timepiece but also a miniaturised musical instrument. Jaeger-LeCoultre has thoroughly mastered the complication, having produced its first minute repeater in 1870 and crafting nearly 100 such masterpieces before 1900. During the 20th century, the Manufacture has continued to innovate, and the Reverso Minute Repeater of 1994 marked a notable breakthrough with its redesign of the complication for a shaped movement fitted to a rectangular case. This was particularly demanding due to the smaller space for the ‘sound box’ (for resonance and amplification) and the necessary change in shape for the gongs.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has continually raised the standard for not only the mechanical efficiency of chiming movements but also for the clarity and beauty of the sound being produced and has been granted numerous patents for inventions that enhance sound quality. In recent years, these include crystal gongs (2005) – so named because they are adhered directly to the sapphire crystal watch glass, enabling a cleaner sound and increased volume – and trébuchet hammers (2009). Designed with an articulated arm that creates a ‘catapult’ action, these hammers strike the gong in a way that requires less energy without reducing the sound volume. Another important invention (introduced in Calibre 185 in 2021) eliminated the silent interval that, in classical Sonnerie calibres, occurs between the hour and minutes chimes at times when there are no quarter-hour chimes that would ‘fill the gap’.

Throughout its rich chiming mechanisms legacy, Jaeger-LeCoultre has pushed the mastery of sound to the Grande Sonnerie complication. A Grande Sonnerie is the pinnacle of chiming complications, automatically striking the hours and quarters as a clock would, while also allowing the wearer to activate the minute repeater at will. In 2009, Calibre 182 pushed the boundaries of innovation, housing 26 complications including the Grande Sonnerie, 12 patents, and 1,400 components within an astonishingly slim 10.4mm movement. This masterpiece exemplifies the Maison’s relentless pursuit of precision, artistry, and mechanical excellence.

Every chime created by the Maison is meticulously recorded and preserved, allowing the watchmakers to analyse and refine its exact tonality. This archive of sounds allows for the most precise repair at any point in the future. This process ensures that each note resonates with absolute clarity and harmony, maintaining the highest standard of acoustic perfection. By continuously monitoring and comparing each chime, Jaeger-LeCoultre upholds an uncompromising commitment to sound precision and excellence.

A NEW CALIBRE AND FRESH AESTHETIC EXPRESSION FOR THE REVERSO TRIBUTE MINUTE REPEATER

The Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater is powered by a newly developed movement, Calibre 953, which – like all Jaeger-LeCoultre movements – has been entirely conceived, designed and produced in-house. It incorporates seven existing patents, including key inventions that enhance chime quality: trébuchet hammers (patent EP2048548A2), crystal gongs (patent CH698533) and silent-interval elimination (patent CH709152B1). The power reserve of the new calibre is 48 hours – a notable feat for an energy-hungry complication like a minute repeater.

The new Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater is distinguished by a newly designed enamel dial. While both dials display the same time and are decorated with great refinement, they are very different in character. The front dial showcases a radiant hand-guilloché barley-seed pattern that creates an optical illusion of movement as it catches the light from different angles. The guillochage is elevated by multiple layers of grand feu enamel in a new teal blue colour. Both the guillochage and enamelling are entirely created in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Métiers Rares™ atelier, with the guillochage requiring four hours of work, followed by an additional eight hours for the enamelling.

The reverse dial is open-worked, revealing the complexity of the repeater mechanism and presenting a fascinating display of moving parts when it is activated. The sense of visual depth and transparency is enhanced by faceted indexes that are cantilevered from the chemin de fer minutes track and appear to float above the mechanism. The bridges are hand-bevelled, the decorative finishes combine brushed and grained surfaces and the cool silvery tones of the metal provide contrast with the warm pink gold of the case (18k, 750/1000). The bridge that spans the entire breadth of the movement from 7 o’clock to 5 o’clock and supports the hammers is decorated with blue lacquer to match the front dial.

Set into the side of the watch case, the slider that activates the chimes has been redesigned for this version of the Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater to be as discreet as possible without sacrificing ergonomics.

Complementing the timeless aesthetic of the Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater, the pink gold case contrasts with a black alligator leather strap lined with small-scale alligator and an adjustable folding clasp. Crafted entirely in pink gold and weighing nearly 30 grams, the buckle features a double-wheel mechanism for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm. Comprising 46 components, it combines ergonomic innovation with timeless elegance.

Testament to the 180 skills gathered under one roof in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s fully integrated Manufacture, the new Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater celebrates the versatility and eternal modernity of the Reverso design, underlining La Grande Maison’s constant quest to innovate in both the mechanical and aesthetic aspects of timekeeping.

THE NONANTIEME COLLECTOR’S BOX

Along with the launch of the limited edition Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater, Jaeger-LeCoultre releases an exclusive collector’s box commemorating the 90^th anniversary of its iconic Reverso. This meticulously crafted case is designed to house six limited-edition Reverso timepieces, each representing a pinnacle of horological innovation and artistry.

Drawing inspiration from the collector’s box created for the Reverso’s 60^th anniversary in 1991, this new edition offers a unique opportunity for discerning collectors to own a piece of horological history. Each of the six compartments within the box is dedicated to a distinct Reverso model, showcasing the timepiece’s enduring legacy and the evolution of its celebrated complications. The box itself is a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, combining luxury, functionality, and a timeless aesthetic.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE MINUTE REPEATER

Case: Pink gold (18k, 750/1000)

Dimensions: 51.1 x 31 mm x 12.6 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 953

Functions: Hours and minutes on both dials; minute repeater

Power Reserve: 48 hours

Front dial: Teal blue enamelled guilloché

Reverse dial: Open-worked

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: black alligator leather with small-scale alligator lining

Buckle: Adjustable folding buckle

Reference: Q7122480

Limited edition of 30 pieces

• Challenging movement: Calibre 826 with 243 components and a 42-hour power reserve
• Masterful craftsmanship: 70 pink gold stars shine against a night-blue enamel sky, perfected in 10 hours of work
• Limited edition: offering 90 pieces

Following the introduction in 2021 of the Reverso Tribute Nonantieme ‘Enamel’ to celebrate the Reverso’s 90th anniversary, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new expression of the timepiece in 18k pink gold (750/1000) with an elegant grey sunray dial and decorative enamelling on the reverse. To be made in a limited edition of 90 pieces, this new interpretation again demonstrates La Grande Maison’s constant pursuit of technical innovation married to timeless design and fine craftsmanship.

FROM POLO FIELD TO HIGH WATCHMAKING – AN ICON EVOLVES

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

The Reverso was born as a deft synthesis of style and function. Rooted in the Art Deco aesthetics, it also embodied a mechanical revolution allowed by La Grande Maison’s expertise. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time.

This technical challenge, overtook by the Manufacture, was fully embraced in the beginning of the 1990s, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications in Reverso. In 1991, marking the 60th anniversary, the Reverso Soixantieme displayed a power reserve and date, with another first – a sapphire crystal caseback, to observe the mechanical treasure within. During the decade that followed, five of the great classical complications were reinterpreted, with the movement architecture and visual displays reimagined for the rectangular Reverso case. Then, to mark the completion of another decade, the Reverso Septantieme was introduced in 2001.

In 2021, the 90th anniversary of the Reverso’s birth, Jaeger-LeCoultre created the Reverso Tribute Nonantieme. It brought a fresh and exciting stylistic language to the Reverso, presenting an entirely new visual expression of some of watchmaking’s most familiar complications.

A NEW COLOUR FOR THE FRONT DIAL; ENAMEL AND LACQUER ENHANCE THE REVERSE SIDE

Driven by its continuing exploration of beauty and refined craftsmanship, the new interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Nonantieme ‘Enamel’ features an elegant grey sunray-brushed dial and a richly decorated reverse side. The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute iconography – elongated applied indexes, Dauphine hands and a chemin de fer minutes track – places the emphasis on the complications. The ‘Grande Date’ display at 12 o’clock is highlighted by an applied pink golden-coloured frame that echoes the rectangular shape of the case and dial. In the lower half of the dial within the small seconds counter, a moon phase display is set against the background of stars in a deep blue sky. While the colours of these details echo those on the reverse dial, the classically elegant aesthetic gives no hint of the surprise that awaits when flipping the case over.

Turning the case reveals the Nonantieme’s distinctive and visually exciting displays wrapped in the beauty of a starry night sky. The dial comprises two round apertures of different sizes, overlapping and arranged like a figure-eight, which is encircled by gadroons that echo those on the upper and lower edges of the case. The small upper aperture displays a semi-jumping digital hour indication against a white background. Below the hour, the large aperture displays minutes on a rotating disc that is partially concealed by a three-quarter plate, lacquered in a rich shade of blue. Tiny pink gold stars are transferred onto the surface of the lacquer to depict the night sky. Within a smaller circle at the centre, a polished sun and moon indicate night and day as they pass above a horizon. The semi-circle below the horizon is decorated with a guilloché pattern of sunrays and the entire lower aperture is framed by a circle of pink gold beading (18k, 750/1000).

The larger surface surrounding the indications – which had been an unbroken expanse of pink gold in the original Nonantieme – is transformed into a starry night sky with multiple layers of rich blue enamel sprinkled with stars. The latitude and longitude lines are engraved with a hand-held laser to reveal the underlying pink gold case metal.

CLASSIC COMPLICATIONS REINVENTED THROUGH MECHANICAL INNOVATION

Showing the same time on both faces of the watch and comprising 243 components, Calibre 826 was conceived specifically for the Reverso Tribute Nonantieme ‘Enamel’ and was developed, produced and assembled entirely in-house. Given La Grande Maison’s philosophy of designing movements that closely fit the shape of their case, the rectangular Reverso creates a particular challenge when designing complications that were traditionally conceived for round movements. To accommodate the Grande Date display within the confined space of the upper dial, in 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers developed a completely new mechanism comprising two small side-by-side discs (one for the units 1–9 and one for the 10s, 20s and 30s) rather than two “stacked” discs, as is normal. When the date passes single digits, a tiny hook on the units disc latches on to the other disc, turning it to create the double-digit reading (10^th, 11^th, 12^th…etc). This patented invention has the additional benefit of displaying both digits of the date at exactly the same level, rather than one slightly lower than the other.

Although La Grande Maison’s watchmakers had incorporated the digital hours complication in some calibres during the 1930s, they have used it rarely in recent decades. For the display, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers opted for a semi-jumping rather than instantaneously jumping mechanism to allow for a more gradual and elegant transition. Also, because an instantaneous jump requires a large and sudden burst of energy, this choice safeguards the power reserve.

Offered in a limited edition of 90 pieces, this new interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Nonantieme ‘Enamel’ underlines the timelessness and versatility of the Reverso, as well as La Grande Maison’s continuing commitment to craft and creativity alongside mechanical innovation and excellence.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE NONANTIEME ‘ENAMEL’

Case: Pink gold (18k, 750/1000)

Dimensions : 49.4 mm x 29.9 mm x 11.72 mm

Movement:  Manually wound, Calibre 826

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, Grande Date, Moon phases (front); Digital semi-jumping hour, minutes on a disc. Night-day indication (reverse)

Front dial: Grey sunrayed

Reverse dial: Blue enamel and lacquer

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Buckle: Interchangeable pin buckle

Reference: Q71125E1

Limited edition of 90 pieces

• The Reverso: a sports watch born from a challenge to a timeless icon
• A quintessential embodiment of the spirit of its era: blending modernity, Art Deco style, sport DNA and innovation
• A disruptive creation: the Reverso redefined watchmaking with its daring design and ingenious functionality, embodying innovation that continues to inspire over 90 years later

In 2025, Jaeger-LeCoultre pays homage to the genesis of the Reverso by celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, held in Paris in 1925. This event marked the birth of Art Deco, the movement that would define the Reverso’s timeless aesthetic, making it one of the most recognisable watch designs of all time. From its fabled origin – an idea conceived on a polo field in India in 1930 – the Reverso has become an icon in the truest sense of the word.

A neatly executed synthesis of function and form – practical, elegant, and instantly recognisable – the Reverso was initially a sports watch, created expressly to be worn on the sports field. However, as a design equally suited to men and women, it transcended its original sports purpose from the very beginning and was instantly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life. Staying true to its original design and proportions since 1931, the Reverso has continuously evolved while preserving its Art Deco lines and balanced aesthetics. In the 1990s, this evolution took on a new dimension as the Maison began integrating high complications, further enhancing its technical sophistication. A design of rare longevity, with its unique reversible case, the Reverso has remained eternally modern through more than 90 years of shifting tastes, social change, and advancing technology.

MADE OF MODERNITY: A CHILD OF THE ROARING TWENTIES

The genesis of the Reverso lies in the decade that preceded its creation – a dazzling cultural milieu in which the world changed almost beyond recognition. After the trauma of World War I, the 1920s brought tremendous social and economic change, a great flourishing of art and culture, and unprecedented advances in technology.

In a fast-changing society, the young rebelled against the straight-laced mores of their parents, embracing newfound affluence and creating a culture of hedonism and excess. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby: “The parties were bigger, the pace was faster, the buildings were higher, and the morals were looser”.

The new and more permissive morality was expressed through daring styles of dress and behaviour; restrictive customs were shrugged off and, in keeping with the drive for modernity and convenience, men’s timepieces migrated from their pockets to their wrists.

Experimental art movements (Surrealism, Dada, Italian Futurism, German Expressionism) flourished alongside ground-breaking literary styles (Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Langston Hughes). Encapsulating the mood of ebullient optimism and bold experimentation, a new form of music – jazz – emerged from the African-American community and came to define the decade.

Fuelled by the economic boom, the impact of technology was felt everywhere, from cars and aviation to entertainment:

• Henry Ford’s Model T brought the democratisation of car ownership;
• Charles Lindbergh made the first solo Transatlantic flight in 1927;
• Hollywood made the leap from silent movies to ‘talkies’ in 1927 and new recording technology revolutionised radio, which brought entertainment directly into people’s homes;
• In the late 1920s, jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong was a leading influence in the emergence of African-American culture during the ‘Harlem Renaissance’ and in 1927, Missouri-born Josephine Baker caused a sensation as the star of a revue at the Folies Bergère in Paris.

The first truly modern era, this was the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age – a period perhaps best expressed by the French term, les années folles (literally translating to ‘the crazy years’). It was a time when the extraordinary was celebrated – a spirit perpetuated at the dawn of the following decade by the ‘out of the ordinary’ concept of the Reverso.

Made of modernity: born from the audacity of its era, the Reverso stands as a revolutionary symbol of originality, perfectly capturing the spirit of a world in transformation. Introduced as a wristwatch when pocket watches still reigned supreme, it redefined the way time was worn. With its coloured dial and clean-lined indexes, it defied convention, offering a sharp contrast to the silver dials and Roman or Arabic numerals that dominated its time. More than just a timepiece, the Reverso became an icon – bold, daring, and ahead of its time – embodying the creativity and defiance of an era that reshaped the future.

MADE OF ART DECO STYLE: A NEW AESTHETIC FOR A NEW AGE

A revolutionary aesthetic language that emerged in the 1920s, Art Deco encapsulated the spirit of its time as the dramatic changes in people’s lives were reflected in their changed attitudes towards design. The elaborately decorative and dreamlike romanticism of the pre-war years no longer seemed relevant, while the streamlined simplicity of the new aesthetic – its order, geometry and pure lines – spoke of optimism and a bright new future.

As a design movement, Art Deco encompassed every domain – from architecture and fashion to graphic art – and was applicable on every scale, from ocean liners to gold cigarette cases. Inspired by new technology, it embodied the spirit of the machine age, with its clean shapes and use of metal and newly developed plastics. It drew on stylistic references from ancient Babylonian, Egyptian and Aztec architecture, alongside influences from French Cubism, Dutch De Stijl and Italian Futurism. With its sleek and effortless glamour, Art Deco perfectly encapsulated the hedonistic mood of the Jazz Age.

Although the term Art Deco was coined only in the late 1960s, it takes its name from the defining moment of the new style, the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs held in Paris in 1925. As the style spread globally, New York City became a second major centre of development – epitomised by the Chrysler Building (1930) and Empire State Building (1931) – and abundant original examples of Art Deco architecture survive in cities from Singapore to Cuba and Mumbai to Miami.

Beneath its decorative flourishes, Art Deco’s sophistication drew heavily from the Bauhaus principle that form should express function. Good design balances purpose, practicality, and elegance – qualities epitomised by the Reverso. Its geometry is crisply rectilinear at first glance, but closer inspection reveals rounded shapes and subtle curves. The design’s blend of Art Deco principles with the Golden Ratio – a proportion pleasing to the human eye – helps explain the Reverso’s enduring appeal for more than nine decades.

Made of Art Deco style: the Reverso stands as a timeless testament to the bold, modern aesthetic of Art Deco. Its distinctive rectangular shape broke with tradition, boldly challenging the round designs that had dominated timekeeping. Capturing the spirit of an era that celebrated clean lines, geometric forms, and streamlined elegance, it reflects the optimism of a world on the brink of transformation. A seamless blend of form and function, the Reverso embodies the very essence of Art Deco – sophisticated, innovative, and forward-thinking – cementing its status as an enduring icon of beauty and craftsmanship.

MADE OF SPORT DNA: THE RISE OF THE ‘SPORTING GENTLEMAN’

The 1920s spirit of liberation fuelled a growing emphasis on physical fitness, making sport both a popular leisure activity and a social hub. Summer holidays on the French Riviera became fashionable, with suntans symbolising health and affluence. Le Train Bleu, the luxurious express to the Côte d’Azur, even inspired a ballet by Nijinska for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. New technology, such as radio, transformed sports into mass entertainment, bringing commentary into homes and elevating events like the first Football World Cup in 1930 to global significance, where sports champions – both male and female – became celebrities.

The craze for pastimes such as tennis, golf, swimming, yachting, and skiing was reflected in changing fashions:

• Gabrielle Chanel daringly put women in trousers;
• The Prince of Wales – later the Duke of Windsor – popularised ‘golfing attire’ such as argyle jumpers and tweed plus-fours;
• The tennis player René Lacoste, in the interests of greater freedom of movement on court, designed the classic short-sleeved cotton-knit shirt that bears his name.

Against this backdrop, a new character emerged: the sporting gentleman. Exuding style, daring and glamour, he is best exemplified by the legendary ‘Bentley Boys’ of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race (inaugurated in 1923) and the wealthy polo players who pursued their sport at country clubs around the world. For the ‘sporting gentleman’ wearing a wristwatch was de rigueur, even though watchmaking was not yet well adapted to this active lifestyle.

One of the world’s oldest known team sports, polo arrived in India from Persia and was enthusiastically adopted by the nobility. British tea planters introduced it to England in the 19th century, where it gained popularity among the aristocracy. The sport’s rules, codified as the ‘Hurlingham Rules’, remain in use today as polo spread across the British Commonwealth and beyond. In India, as British colonial military officers became ardent players, polo became a focus of social life there. It was in this milieu that, in 1930, César de Trey, a Swiss businessman, was challenged to create a watch that could withstand the rough-and-tumble of the polo field – and so the story of Reverso began.

Made of sport DNA: the Reverso’s creation marked the birth of a timepiece built for the sporting elite. Born in an era where sport defined status, the Reverso was designed to withstand the rigours of polo, merging unparalleled durability with refined elegance. Its ingenious pivoting case was a direct response to the need for a watch that could keep up with the active, sophisticated lifestyle of the sporting gentleman. More than just a timepiece, the Reverso became a symbol of sport, performance, and style.

MADE OF PURE INNOVATION: THE SPIRIT OF THE MACHINE AGE

Fuelled by an unprecedented economic boom and, in many cases, harnessing technological advances made during World War I, the 1920s brought a remarkable surge of inventions that changed the lives of everyday people, that remain ubiquitous today. That decade introduced the world to traffic lights, convertible cars, jukeboxes and sunglasses, among countless other innovations.

At the LeCoultre Manufacture, where the spirit of invention had been instilled by Antoine LeCoultre when he founded the Maison in 1833, watchmakers developed the Duoplan movement in 1925. This ground-breaking development enabled an unprecedented degree of miniaturisation, leading to the creation of Calibre 101 in 1929, which remains one of the world’s smallest hand-wound mechanical movements to this day. Meanwhile, in 1928, the Manufacture achieved another remarkable feat with the development of the Atmos, a revolutionary clock powered by atmospheric pressure changes.

During a trip to India, César de Trey was challenged by British army officers, passionate players of polo, to create a watch capable of withstanding the rigours of the game. When de Trey returned to Europe, he partnered with Jacques-David LeCoultre to produce the concept and, through connections with Jaeger SA, entrusted a French industrial designer René-Alfred Chauvot to design the case and its swivelling function.

On March 4, 1931, Chauvot filed a patent for “a watch capable of sliding in its support and being completely turned over” (patent N°712.868). Later that year, de Trey and LeCoultre acquired the rights to his design, and in November, registered the Reverso name (Latin for ‘I turn’). They enlisted casemaker Wenger to refine the case into its streamlined rectangular shape.

Initially, Jaeger and LeCoultre used a Tavannes Calibre while developing their own rectangular movement, Calibre 410, which made its debut in 1933. By autumn 1931, de Trey and LeCoultre founded Spécialités Horlogères to commercialise Jaeger-LeCoultre’s products, including the Reverso. The first Reverso deliveries followed in winter 1931, marking the birth of an enduring icon.

Made of pure innovation: during the early decades of the 20th century, La Grande Maison solidified its identity as the Watchmaker of Watchmakers™, not only by tackling some of the most significant technical challenges in watchmaking but also by cultivating a reputation for exceptional style. By 1931, it stood as the only Manufacture capable of meeting the ambitious challenge of creating a timepiece as groundbreaking as the Reverso. This achievement was made possible by its unmatched spirit of invention, already evident in revolutionary creations like the Duoplan in 1925, the Atmos in 1928, and the Calibre 101 in 1929. With the Reverso, La Grande Maison took innovation even further, crafting it in Staybrite steel – a bold departure from the traditional use of gold. This daring choice not only set a new standard of elegance but also perfectly embodied the pioneering ethos and avant-garde vision of the Manufacture.

ICONS ARE NOT BORN, THEY ARE MADE

The Reverso emerged as a true innovation, transforming the world of watchmaking. At a time when pocket watches dominated, it boldly introduced the wristwatch, reshaping how time was worn. Its rectangular form defied the centuries-old tradition of round timepieces, while its striking coloured dial and index markers broke away from conventional silver dials with Roman and Arabic numerals. The real genius, however, lay in its iconic swivelling case, an unprecedented feature that blended mechanical ingenuity with refined elegance. From the very beginning of its production, Reverso’s calibres were shaped to follow the curves of its rectangular case, an ingenious answer to maximise space used and therefore the precision of the calibre. In 1931, it was seen as a revolution in Haute Horlogerie: an unusual rectangular case, powered by shaped calibres, set in a dedicated casing ring to protect them from shocks, humidity and the passing of time. On the outside, the blank caseback became a canvas for the expert craftsmen of the Métiers Rares^TM atelier, showcasing personalised enamelling, engraving, and miniature painting. From its inception, the Reverso has surpassed trends, crafted for both men and women, embodying timeless style and the bold, disruptive spirit of its time.

The Reverso stands as a true embodiment of its era, seamlessly blending modernity, Art Deco elegance, sporting DNA, and groundbreaking innovation. Over the span of more than 90 years, it has evolved without ever losing its essence. Born from a period of profound transformation and crafted to meet the specific demands of polo players, its ingenious design and flawless execution have established it as more than a mere timepiece. The Reverso is an enduring icon of 20th-century design – timeless, yet always up with the times.

• Iconic swivelling case: comprising 50 components, 7.56mm thick
• Vintage elegance and an outstanding dial: pairing an 18k pink gold Milanese bracelet and case with a mat golden-coloured grained dial, strikingly contrasted by the luminous shine of its applied indexes
• Emblematic movement: hand-wound Calibre 822, 108 components, 42-hour reserve, 2.93mm thick

Underlining the exceptional versatility of the Reverso’s Art Deco design, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds. With a Milanese link bracelet, an 18k pink gold (750/1000) case and a grained dial that perfectly matches the precious metal’s colour, the new model exudes vintage glamour and confident modernity – an eloquent expression of the Reverso’s stylistic evolution that began with the unveiling of the first Reverso more than 90 years ago.

A STORY OF EVOLVING STYLE, FROM POLO FIELD TO DESIGN ICON

Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed to meet the demands of the newly fashionable ‘sporting gentleman’. A challenge was set by polo-playing military officers in India during the British Raj of 1858-1947 to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. The Reverso was the answer – a masterful integration of form and function. Quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose as new variations appeared – for both men and women. However, its iconic double-sided case (historical patent CH159982) and distinctive Art Deco lines have remained constant, making the Reverso one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

Over the decades, many variations of the Reverso have been created, both stylistic and mechanical, without ever compromising its identity. The distinctive and timeless design accounts for much of the Reverso’s enduring appeal – and for its recognition as an icon of Art Deco style. The new Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds with Milanese link bracelet perfectly highlights the Reverso’s unique adaptability to evolve over time – balancing contrasting qualities: sporty or elegant, contemporary or retro; masculine or feminine, and often a blend of several attributes at once.

MILANESE LINK AND A GOLDEN-COLOURED DIAL LEND A SUBTLY VINTAGE AIR TO CONTEMPORARY STYLE

The Milanese link is a dense, flat metal weave made from two intertwined metal threads, creating a double layer of small interlocking links. Crafting the bracelet requires no less than 16 meters of pink gold threads, which, once assembled, form a fabric-like structure known as pezza. To ensure maximum flexibility, the process must be carried out without interruption. The final steps involve stamping the links to their precise dimensions and hand-soldering each side, link by link. Smooth, flexible, and free of pins, this construction ensures exceptional durability. The origins of Milanese link can be traced to 13^th-century Milan (from which it takes its name), where it was used for a type of chain mail. Later, Renaissance goldsmiths created precious metal versions for jewellery but the technique remained unknown outside Italy for several centuries. In the 1920s, jewellers in Germany mastered the technique, sparking a worldwide fashion trend. As with all trends, its popularity waned for a time, until the 1970s, when Milanese link became fashionable for watch bracelets. Today, Milanese bracelets are enjoying another revival, thanks to their ability to look either sporty or elegant, according to the timepiece.

On the new pink gold Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds, the link bracelet adds a dash of vintage chic to the pared-down Reverso Tribute dial aesthetic and all-pink golden colour palette of the watch. Its slim profile perfectly complements the sleek lines of the 7.56 mm-thick Reverso case and the lug attachment has been slightly modified so that the bracelet appears to be integrated. This new Reverso is adorned with a golden-coloured dial featuring a delicate textured finish obtained by several stamping operations. The finely grained dial provides a counterpoint to the polished shine of the case and bracelet links. The polished finish of the 18k pink gold (750/1000) integrated buckle complements the shiny surface of the links, enhancing the bracelet’s cohesive elegance. When the case is turned over, the metal caseback enhances the jewellery look of the watch, whether left blank or personalised with an engraving or lacquered decoration. On the wrist, the bracelet feels smooth, soft and sinuous – a perfect fit thanks to the adjustable sliding clasp and beautifully balanced thanks to the weight of the pink gold.

The signature iconography of the Reverso Tribute dial recalls the purity of the 1931 original Reverso, with the hours marked by applied indexes rather than numerals. Their elongated shape and faceted profile add visual depth and echo the form of the Dauphine hands. The circular track of the small seconds display at six o’clock provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case.

The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds is powered by the hand-wound Calibre 822, which offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement, which is shaped to echo the lines of the rectangular case, was designed, produced and assembled entirely in-house.

The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds redefines elegance with its seamless blend of historical significance and contemporary sophistication, reaffirming its status as a timeless icon.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE MONOFACE SMALL SECONDS

Case: Pink gold (18k, 750/1000)

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 7.56 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Golden grained

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Milanese link bracelet in 18k pink gold

Buckle: Integrated sliding clasp

Reference: Q713216J

• A powerful snake motif hand-engraved into the pink gold case metal (750/1000)
• A case-back and dial in perfectly matched black Grand Feu enamel
• Harnessing the Art Deco aesthetic of the Reverso Tribute to create rare works of art

In honour of the 2025 Chinese New Year, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’. Made only to order and in limited numbers, the new timepiece is a fine showcase for the talents of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

A unique canvas for artistic expression

When the Reverso was created in 1931, its signature swivelling case was conceived as an ingenious functional solution to the problem of protecting the dial and glass of the watch when worn on the polo field. However, as it was adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso transcended its original sporting purpose and it quickly became apparent that its blank metal of the case back was an ideal canvas for artistic expression, offering limitless potential for decoration with engraving, enamel and other crafts.

For 2025 La Grande Maison adds a new chapter to this continuing story of craftsmanship and artistry with the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’. The third in a series paying homage to the Chinese Zodiac – following the years of the Tiger and Dragon – the new timepiece is an ode to the animal that represents longevity, wisdom and mystery, according to traditional Chinese wisdom.

Celebrating the crafts of engraving and Grand Feu enamelling

Turning the watch case to its reverse side reveals a striking, hand-engraved snake emerging powerfully from a wreath of golden clouds (750/1000), set against a background of glossy black Grand Feu enamel. The polished surfaces of the snake’s body, the fine details of its scales – which are hand-drawn with black rhodium – and the contrasting sandblasted texture of the clouds catch and refract the light to enhance the illusion of movement.

To maximise the sense of volume and depth, the master engraver used a technique called modelled engraving, an exacting skill that requires absolute focus and remarkable dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work began not, as is usual, with a bare metal surface but with one that already had its coat of Grand Feu enamel, thus requiring an unprecedented accuracy of gesture to avoid all risk of damage to the pristine enamel. Using 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal step by step, the engraver devoted 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.

The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’ features the same glossy black Grand Feu enamel as the case-back. The elegant, Art Deco-inspired simplicity of the signature Reverso Tribute dial, with its faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track and Dauphine hands, places full value on the beauty of the glowing black background.

The apparent simplicity of the pure black enamel is deceptive because in Grand Feu enamelling, the outcome of the firing process is never entirely predictable. To create a black of such depth and richness requires five or six layers of enamel, with each new layer followed by firing and cooling – representing no less than 24 working hours (16 hours for the case-back and eight hours for the dial) over the course of many days. This was followed by half a day of polishing to achieve a perfect, uniform shine. That the two surfaces are perfectly matched in colour and purity is testament to a degree of skill that can be acquired only through many years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of very few watch Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling atelier, safeguarding and advancing this ancient craft.

Created to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’ is testament to La Grande Maison’s vision of culture and creativity, where the artistic crafts live in perfect harmony with the technical expertise of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS 
 

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘SNAKE’ 
Case: Pink gold (750/1000) 
Dimensions: 45.5 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm 
Calibre: Manually wound Calibre 822 
Functions: Hours, minutes 
Power reserve: 42 hours 
Dial decoration: Black Grand feu enamel, applied indexes 
Case back decoration: Black Grand feu enamel, engraving 
Water resistance: 3 bar 
Strap: Black alligator 
Reference: Q39324D2 
Production: Limited, Made to order 

 

• The pink gold case (18 karat, 750/1000) is complemented by solid pink gold dial, movement bridges, indexes and buckle
• New dial decoration amplifies the rectilinear Art Deco geometry of the Reverso case
• Open-worked reverse dial with pink gold bridges reveals the complexity of Calibre 860

Following the launch of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph in 2023 in a steel or 18k (750/1000) pink gold case, Jaeger-LeCoultre has reinterpreted the quintessential sporting complication in a ‘full pink gold’ version for 2024. The 18k (750/1000) pink gold case is complemented by a solid 18k (750/1000) pink gold dial, movement bridges, applied indexes and pin buckle. It will be produced in a limited edition of 250 pieces.

A sporting icon inspires aesthetic beauty and constant technical innovation

Born in 1931 with a protective swivelling case designed to be worn on the polo fields, the Reverso was quickly adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, attracted to its elegant and sporty Art Deco aesthetics. Through more than 90 years of evolution, its case has unfolded from the original Staybrite steel to precious metals, while the blank metal flip side has been decorated with engraving, lacquer, enamel or gemstones – or has become a second dial. Continually reinventing itself without ever compromising its identity, it is one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches, acknowledged as an icon of 20^th-century design.

Celebrating the Reverso’s polo origins with a unique expression of the ultimate sporting complication, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph honours the Reverso Chronograph of 1996, which had introduced an entirely new architecture for the integrated chronograph calibre. That earlier movement has been reinvented with Calibre 860, which displays the time on both the front and reverse dials in addition to revealing the beautifully crafted chronograph mechanism on the reverse side.

A new dial design and an open-worked reverse side, both in solid pink gold

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph epitomises La Grande Maison’s core watchmaking philosophy of expressing mechanical sophistication through aesthetic creativity and fine craftsmanship. Now, the Maison’s pursuit of excellence has led it to create a new version in full pink gold.

The front dial introduces a new style of decorative finish to the Reverso Tribute line: the pink gold surface has been laser-engraved with fine horizontal lines spanning the width of the dial – a clean, elegant and contemporary aesthetic that reinforces the rectilinear geometry of the Reverso case and amplifies the three horizontal gadroons above and below the dial. Set against this background are the signature Reverso Tribute design details: applied trapezoid indexes, Dauphine hands and a chemin de fer minutes track. On the new dial, the minutes track is highlighted in black, creating a striking contrast with the pink gold.

On the reverse side, the open-worked dial reveals the complexity of the finely crafted chronograph mechanism. The 18k (750/100) pink gold bridges feature hand-bevelled edges and vertical Côtes de Genève decoration – all crafted within the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture in Le Sentier. The counters, chronograph seconds and minute tracks are highlighted in black, enhancing legibility and creating contrast, while blue chronograph hands and blued screws add a dash of colour. The polished 18k (750/100) pink gold indexes are invisibly attached to the minute track and appear to float above the movement.

Calibre 860:  a new expression of the chronograph

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph is powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 860, which revisited the ground-breaking Reverso Chronograph Retrograde of 1996. Testament to the inventiveness and technical prowess of La Grande Maison, it was one of six special Reversos developed within just ten years, each designed around an entirely new expression of the great classical watchmaking complications. Its movement, Calibre 829, was not only the first rectangular shaped chronograph movement in a rectangular case of Jaeger-LeCoultre, but also the first manually wound integrated chronograph to be developed in the post-quartz era at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre movements, it was designed, produced, assembled and decorated at the Manufacture.

Calibre 860 is a fully integrated hand-wound chronograph movement with start/stop and reset pushers, a retrograde 30-minute counter, central seconds, and a second indication of time. In compliance with the Manufacture’s approach to product integrity, whereby a movement should be shaped according to the case that houses it, the calibre had to be rectangular. The result is a beautifully balanced and distinctive dial layout, with a large chronograph seconds display in the upper part of the dial, and the retrograde 30-minute indicator on an arc at the base of the dial.

Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, Calibre 860 incorporates a column wheel chronograph with a horizontal clutch, which was chosen over the more familiar vertical clutch to reduce the overall thickness of the movement. To display hours and minutes on both front and reverse dials, the movement powers two sets of hands that must move in opposite directions to indicate the time in correct clockwise fashion on both faces of the watch. Calibre 860 offers 52 hours of power reserve, allowing the high energy requirement of a retrograde chronograph to be combined with two time indications. Despite this complexity and no fewer than 300 components, Calibre 860 respects Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of elegance, fitting into a case of 11.14 mm of thickness.

Fagliano Collection straps add character and style
 

The two straps offered with each watch – a signature of the Reverso Tribute line – feature a Presto quick-release system and an interchangeable buckle for easy changes. Reconnecting the Reverso to its roots in the world of polo, a tan calf leather strap designed by the Buenos Aires atelier of the celebrated Argentinian polo bootmaker Casa Fagliano, adds a dash of sporty sophistication while a black alligator lends a more classical air to the timepiece.

Epitomising the guiding forces that accompany the Manufacture in its quest for beauty and precision, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph is a magnificent new expression of tradition, craftsmanship and innovation.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE CHRONOGRAPH 
Material: Pink Gold (18k – 750/1000)
Dimensions: 49.4 x 29.9 mm x 11.14 mm thick
Movement: Manually wound Calibre 860
Power reserve: 52 hours
Functions: Hours and Minutes (Front and Reverse), Chronograph Central seconds (Reverse), Retrograde 30-minute counter (Reverse)
Front dial: Pink gold, engraved
Reverse dial: Open-worked pink gold bridges

Strap package: Calf leather Fagliano Collection strap. Additional black alligator strap
Reference: Q389256J
Limited edition of 250 pieces

• Introducing a new size on the Reverso Tribute Monoface – a perfect fit for both men and women
• The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon now offered in steel
• The Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds reimagined in 18k pink gold (750/1000) with a dark blue lacquer dial

Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to expand the creative universe of the Reverso, with new models that underline the versatility and timeless modernity of its Art Deco design. As well as presenting new variations of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon and Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, La Grande Maison introduces the Reverso Tribute Monoface in a new size.

The enduring style of an Art Deco design icon

One of the world’s most recognisable wristwatch designs, the Reverso was created in 1931 in response to the challenge of designing a watch that could withstand the rigours of polo matches. A rare example of a design equally suited to men and women, the Reverso was almost immediately adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life. As it transcended its original sporting purpose, new variations appeared and, during its nine-decade history, the Reverso has undergone many changes – including different proportions and a variety of dial styles – without ever compromising its identity. In 2016, coinciding with the Reverso’s 85^th birthday, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso Tribute line, which returned to the stylistic codes of the original 1931 model. The front dial of every Reverso Tribute timepiece is distinguished by its clean-lined elegance, with trapezoidal indexes, a chemin de fer minutes track and Dauphine hands.

As well as being an acknowledged icon of Art Deco design, the Reverso is an eloquent expression of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of watchmaking. Anchored in the belief that the shape of a watch movement should conform as closely as possible to the shape of its case, Reverso calibres are designed in a tonneau shape, rather than the classical round form. Even though, in many Reverso models, the movements cannot be seen, many of the components are finely finished by hand, like the edges of the bridges being hand-bevelled by craftsmen from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares^TM atelier – a signature of fine watchmaking and evidence of La Grande Maison’s pursuit of precision in all areas.

Introducing the Reverso Tribute Monoface in a new size – a perfect fit for men and women

In 2024, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces the Reverso Tribute Monoface in a new size. Very close in size to the original 1931 Reverso case, its 40.1 x 24.4 mm dimensions and slim, 7.56 mm profile make it comfortable and elegant on all wrists.

As with the earliest Reverso models, the blank metal case-back of this Monoface model – originally conceived as a purely functional solution – is an ideal canvas for creativity, inviting owners to express their personal style or celebrate a treasured memory with engravings or lacquer. Fitted with the manually wound Calibre 822, the Reverso Tribute Monoface is presented in a steel case with a choice of two dials: silver opaline or blue sunray lacquer. It is complemented by a new variation of the strap designed exclusively for the Reverso Tribute line by Casa Fagliano, featuring two contrasting textures: smooth calfskin and saffiano calfskin. In addition to the strap presented with the watch, four more colours are available and, thanks to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s interchangeable system, wearers can quickly change them to suit any occasion or mood.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon reinterpreted in steel

Now presented in a steel case, the newest interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon brings a fresh aesthetic and contemporary allure to the model introduced in 18k pink gold (750/1000) at Watches and Wonders Geneva in 2023.

Originally developed in 1994, the Reverso Duoface concept is defined by two contrasting dials, each displaying a different time zone and operated by a single mechanism. The creation of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon was driven by the desire to combine the Duoface concept with a tourbillon visible on both dials, without adding thickness to the calibre.

To achieve this, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers had to completely re-think the tourbillon mechanism. They dispensed with the upper bridge that normally supports a tourbillon, replaced the outer tourbillon cage with a peripheral ball-bearing system and used the Maison’s patented S-shaped hairspring so that the spring and balance wheel could be fixed at the centre of the tourbillon. As a result, Calibre 847 is only 3.9mm thick and the entire watch is only 9.15mm thick.

In contrast to the cool and restrained elegance of the grey sunrayed front dial, the reverse dial – which displays the second time zone – is partially open-worked and richly textured. The edges of the bridges are hand-bevelled and their surfaces decorated with a hand-guilloché Clous de Paris, from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares^TM atelier, pattern to create a beautiful play of light and shadow.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds reinterpreted in pink gold

Introduced in a 18k pink gold (750/1000) case, the newest interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds features a front dial of glossy, inky-blue lacquer and a redesigned reverse dial with double indexes applied to the silver sunrayed background and a refined 24-hour (night-day) display.

On the front dial, creating a rich and eye-catching contrast with the warmth of the pink gold case and matching indexes and hands, the deep, inky blue was achieved by applying no fewer than 20 layers of lacquer, each of which had to be meticulously dried before applying the next layer. In all, creation of the dial was a process of 50 steps.

Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre movements, the manually wound Calibre 854 was entirely conceived, developed and produced within the Manufacture. On the front dial, it displays the hours, minutes and small seconds, and on the reverse dial, a second time-zone and a 24-hour indicator. To maintain the integrity of the case design, the second time zone is adjusted by a small slider set into the top case-band and completely invisible except when the case is released from the cradle to be flipped over.

These new additions to the Reverso Tribute collection underline the great versatility of its Art Deco design, as Jaeger-LeCoultre unites timeless aesthetics with fine mechanics to create thoroughly modern watches that are destined to become enduring classics.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE MONOFACE

Case: Stainless Steel

Dimensions: 40.1 x 24.4 mm x 7.56 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: silvery-grey opaline

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Golden-tan calfskin with contrasting smooth and saffiano finishes; interchangeable with four additional colours available as accessories

Buckle: Interchangeable folding clasp

Reference: Q7168420

REVERSO TRIBUTE MONOFACE

Case: Stainless Steel

Dimensions: 40.1 x 24.4 mm x 7.56 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Blue sunray lacquer

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Blue calfskin with contrasting smooth and saffiano finishes; interchangeable with four additional colours available as accessories

Buckle: Interchangeable folding clasp

Reference: Q716848J

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

Case: Stainless Steel

Dimensions: 45.5 x 27.4 mm x 9.15 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 847

Functions: Hours, Minutes (Front); Tourbillon (Front and Reverse); Second time zone, Seconds (Reverse),Night-Day indicator (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 38 hours

Front dial: Grey, sunrayed

Back dial: Silver sunrayed Clous de Paris guilloché

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black Alligator/ Grey Fagliano calfskin leather

Reference: Q392845J

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE SMALL SECONDS

Case: 18K Pink Gold 750/1000

Dimensions: 47 x 28.3 mm x 9.6 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854

Functions: Hours, minutes small seconds (Front); Second time zone, 24-hour indicator (Reverse)

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Front dial: Dark blue lacquer, sunrayed

Back dial: Silver, sunrayed

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Blue Calf leather/ Blue Fagliano calfskin leather

Reference: Q3982590

•  Reverso: a canvas for artistic expression united with fine watchmaking
• Three new designs inspired by the vibrancy of Tropical Art Deco
• Celebrating Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of the decorative crafts and jewellery techniques

Immediately recognisable by its swivelling, rectangular case, the Reverso is iconic in watchmaking – able to be worn with either of its two sides facing outwards. On the monoface models, the blank pink gold 750/1000 (18 carats) case-back naturally offers itself as a canvas for artistic expression, inviting the artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares™ atelier to exhibit their exceptional skills in the decorative crafts and jewellery techniques.

In 2021, the Maison introduced the sparkling Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ series, uniting the codes of fine watchmaking, artistic crafts and High Jewellery. For 2024, La Grande Maison enriches the collection with three new models in pink gold, that bring fresh colour, sophistication and glamour to the collection. Offered in a limited edition of 10 pieces each, these exquisite timepieces unite the artistic crafts of enamelling, gold-leaf paillonnage and gem-setting.

Art Deco inspiration expressed through vivid colour

Inspired by the design of the Reverso, which was created in 1931 at the height of the Art Deco period, the three new pieces celebrate the exuberant spirit of Tropical Art Deco. Enjoying its heyday during the 1930s, it is characterised by the sleek lines of Streamline Modern architecture set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and vividly coloured flowers. Abundant examples of the original style still survive in cities from Singapore to Cuba to Mumbai and, most famously, Miami.

A complex dance of artistry and craft to create objects of rare beauty

The restrained elegance of the Reverso One dial design is a perfect foil for the rich and colourful decoration of the cases: on a background of white mother-of-pearl, gold brackets define the four corners of the dial, creating a frame within which the numerals, in the signature Reverso One font, are set. Grain-set diamonds decorate the gadroons and lugs and the winding crown is adorned with a reverse-set diamond.

The new designs give full rein to the artistry and diverse skills of the Métiers Rares™ atelier, with several artisans collaborating in a carefully orchestrated process over the course of many weeks and months. The floral designs wrap seamlessly around the case-sides, from the back to the bezel, involving curves and angles that add a high degree of complexity to the artisans’ work.

Champlevé (which literally means ‘raised field’) is one of the oldest decorative enamelling techniques. To begin with, sections of the flat metal surface of the case are hollowed out to leave an outline of the desired motif. The enameller then begins painting the details and tonal nuances of the design into the remaining wells and troughs with enamel, one layer at a time – in varying combinations of transparent and opaque enamels to achieve the desired effect. Research into the colours – a long process of trial and error because of the way that enamel pigments react at high temperatures – took more than 50 hours, before the work could even begin.

These new ‘Precious Flowers’ designs further elevate the craft of enamelling by combining it with paillonnage. Tiny pieces of 24-carat gold leaf are cut to the exact shape and size of the pattern to be filled in. After a clear layer of fondant enamel has been completed, the enameller takes these tiny fragments and fixes them into place, modelling them to fit the desired space perfectly. Only then can the process of working with the coloured enamel begin.

The cases require 10 or more firings, each one building the intensity and depth of colour. Grand Feu enamelling requires many years of experience as well as great technical skill because the outcome is unpredictable: firing at temperatures up to 800º Centigrade changes the chemistry of some pigments and only with many years of experience can an enameller predict whether the final colours will be as desired. While every firing increases the beauty of the piece it also increases the risk: the enamel may bubble or crack; it may burn and shrink; or the metal base may warp.

On designs with diamond-set backgrounds, the gem-setting can begin only after the enamel work is completed, adding to the delicacy and complexity of the task. Indeed, combining enamelling and gem-setting is a delicate dance between the artisans: while firing hardens the gold, the gem-setter requires soft metal, so the challenge is to find the ideal balance.

At any point during enamelling or gem-setting, the slightest mistake could destroy countless hours of work. These are process that cannot be rushed and that is what makes these decorative crafts so intriguing, going a long way to explaining why they are so highly prized.

Three new models celebrating the beauty of tropical flowers

Birds of Paradise – which symbolises freedom and joy in the language of flowers – captures the brilliant colouring and strongly geometric shape of the eponymous flower in a new twist on traditional Grand Feu champlevé enamelling. Once the first step is completed – hollowing the outline of the design from the flat gold surface of the case-back – tiny pieces of 24-carat gold leaf are cut to exact shape and size of certain sections of the flower then painstakingly fixed into place. This gold leaf underlay lends texture and exceptional brilliance to the orange and golden tones. Then the enameller begins the delicate process of applying the 19 different colours of enamel pigment, painting it to create nuances of tone and an impression of volume.

As many as nine layers of enamel are applied, requiring 60 hours of work. The rich colours of the flowers and leaves are complemented by the sparkle of snow-set diamonds that form the background. A challenging technique, snow-setting uses stones of nine different sizes and the setter must, in effect, work “freehand”, choosing and placing the stones so that not even a millimetre of the metal surface remains – the objective being to create a seamless expanse of sparkle. The Birds of Paradise timepiece is set with approximately 331 diamonds for a total of 1.64 carats – 65 hours of gem-setting work – and is fastened to the wrist with a strap in shiny green alligator leather, custom-dyed to perfectly match the green leaves. Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ Birds of Paradise represents a total of 125 hours of Métiers Rares^TM work.

Hibiscus Enamel showcases the quintessential tropical flower – which symbolises beauty and wisdom – reinterpreting it in colours reminiscent of a sun-kissed lagoon. For the first time on a Métiers Rares™ Reverso One, the entire background is Grand Feu enamel, wrapping around the convex case-sides to frame the dial. The delicately drawn flowers and foliage are Grand Feu champlevé enamel – their nuanced details requiring 12 colours of enamel, applied in nine layers. Harnessing the meticulous craft of paillonnage, the golden stamens are highlighted with tiny pieces of 24-carat gold leaf set beneath the enamel. The beautiful tones of blue and green enamel are enhanced by the sparkle of diamond-set gadroons and lugs – a total of approximately 157 diamonds for 1.25 carats. Together, the 50 hours of enamelling and 22 hours of gem-setting represent a total of 72 hours of decorative craft work. The shiny blue alligator leather strap was custom-dyed to perfectly complement the tones of the flowers.

Hibiscus Diamonds unites the crafts of enamelling, paillonnage and diamond-setting in a sparkling rendition of the exotic hibiscus flower. The subject of 12 trials of colour research to achieve the desired shades and subtle graduation, the blue flowers were created in Grand Feu champlevé enamel, requiring 30 hours of work. The stamens of the flowers are highlighted with 24-carat gold leaf set beneath the enamel and, as on the Birds of Paradise watch, a background of snow-set diamonds creates a brilliant contrast with the richly coloured flowers and leaves. Together with the grain-set diamonds on the gadroons and lugs – a total of approximately 523 diamonds for 2.02 carats – the gem-setting represents 120 hours of work. The Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ Hibiscus Diamonds requires 150 hours of Métiers Rares^TM craftsmanship in total.

These pieces, created by the hands of exceptionally talented artisans, are indeed precious jewels and, naturally, they merit fine mechanisms. As testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of technical watchmaking, the new Reverso One ‘Precious Flowers’ timepieces are fitted with the hand-wound Calibre 846.

To be made in an edition of just 10 pieces of each design, every one of these miniature works of art is subtly different – their fine detailing and nuanced colour palettes the product of each artisan’s particular gestures, expressing their passion and personality, as well as their remarkable skill.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ – BIRDS OF PARADISE

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20mm; thickness 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 38 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes

Dial: Mother-of-pearl

Case-back: Grand feu champlevé enamel and snow-set diamonds

Diamonds: approximately 331 brilliant-cut diamonds for 1.64 carats

Strap: shiny green alligator

Reference: Q3292421

Production: Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ – HIBISCUS ENAMEL

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20mm; thickness 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 38 hours

Functions: hours and minutes

Dial: mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Grand feu champlevé enamel

Diamonds: 157 brilliant-cut diamonds for 1.25 carats

Strap: shiny blue alligator

Reference: Q3292422

Production: Limited edition of 10 pieces

REVERSO ONE ‘PRECIOUS FLOWERS’ – HIBISCUS DIAMONDS

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20mm; thickness 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 38 hours

Functions: hours and minutes

Dial: mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Grand feu champlevé enamel and snow-set diamonds

Diamonds: approximately 523 brilliant-cut diamonds for 2.02 carats

Strap: shiny blue alligator

Reference: Q3292423

Production: Limited edition of 10 pieces

The Master Ultra Thin collection epitomises Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of watchmaking, uniting timeless beauty with mechanical virtuosity to create the quintessential dress watch for the modern aesthete. In 2023, the collection is enriched by a new interpretation of the Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve, featuring a subtly modernised case and dial design, a new gradient midnight blue sunray dial, and a significantly increased power reserve.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 938 Revised to Provide a 70-Hour Power Reserve

In line with La Grande Maison’s pursuit of timekeeping precision, together with added utility for the user, the Manufacture constantly improves its in-house calibres in line with advancing technology. Calibre 938 has been significantly revised to power a new generation of timepieces. Most notably, the power reserve has been increased to 70 hours – long enough to leave the watch aside for an entire weekend and wear it again on Monday with no need to rewind it or reset the time.

This significant gain in power reserve has been achieved without adding to the size of the calibre, which remains 4.9mm thick. The mainspring barrel was redesigned, some key components are now made of silicon, which makes energy transmission smoother by reducing friction of the moving parts, and other minor changes have been made to bring greater reliability.

The power reserve function is a signature complication of Jaeger-LeCoultre, pioneered by the Manufacture in 1948 with the introduction of Calibre 481. The Powermatic, recognised by its distinctive red-and-white indicator, was the world’s first self-winding timepiece with a power reserve gauge and quickly became a key model for the Manufacture in the early 1950s. The Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve is equally recognisable, with the distinctive design of the power reserve display complemented by date and small seconds indicators – the three complications bearing witness to the complexity of the calibre and the technical savoir-faire of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers.

A Sophisticated Aesthetic Update and a Beautiful Midnight Blue Dial

While the size of the case remains the same as the preceding version of the Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve – retaining the elegant 39mm diameter and 8.95mm thickness – its design has been subtly modernised, with revised proportions and slimmer, more elongated lugs that make it even more comfortable on the wrist.

The dial architecture has also been refined. While retaining all the symmetry and balance of the earlier dial layout, larger sub-dials highlight the complications, making the date, power reserve and small seconds displays even more legible than before, while giving the dial a more integrated overall appearance. This is amplified by the newly elongated shape of the applied hour markers, and the use of a different finish (polished and satin) on each facet of the Dauphine hands, and the use of transferred golden dots to mark the minutes track. Matching the colour of the pink gold case, these elements create aesthetic harmony while contrasting dramatically with the gradient midnight blue of the sunray dial. The subtle matt texture of the sub-dials adds visual depth and richness.

Adding a final flourish, the new Master Ultra Thin Power Reserve is presented on a navy-blue alligator strap. Straps and buckles can be very easily interchanged as the wearer wishes – adding even more versatility to this sophisticated, modern timepiece.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MASTER ULTRA THIN POWER RESERVE

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Dimensions: 39 mm diameter x 8.95 mm thick

Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Automatic Calibre 938

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, power reserve indicator

Power Reserve: 70 hours

Dial: Gradient blue sunrayed

Water resistance: 5 bar

Strap: Blue alligator

Reference: Q137258J

In 2023 Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chapter to this story of craftsmanship and artistry: the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’. Created to coincide with Chinese New Year, the new timepiece pays tribute to the Year of the Dragon, and to the talents of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Swivelling the watch case to its reverse side reveals a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds. Engraved into the pink gold case metal, the dragon seems to leap out from the background of glossy black Grand Feu enamel. The polished surfaces of the dragon’s body, the fine details of its scales – highlighted with black rhodium – and the contrasting sandblasted texture of the clouds catch and refract the light to enhance the illusion of movement and power.

To maximise the sense of volume and depth, the master engraver used a technique called modelled engraving, an exacting skill that requires absolute focus and remarkable dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work began not, as is usual, with a bare metal surface but with one that already had its coat of Grand Feu enamel, thus requiring an unprecedented accuracy of gesture to avoid all risk of damage to the pristine enamel. Using 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal step by step, the master engraver devoted 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.

The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel features the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel as the case-back. The elegant simplicity of the Reverso Tribute dial, with its faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track and Dauphine hands, places full value on the beauty of the glowing black background.

The apparent simplicity of the pure black enamel is deceptive because in Grand Feu enamelling, the outcome of the firing process is never entirely predictable. To create a black of such depth and richness requires five or six layers of enamel, with each new layer followed by firing and cooling – representing no less than 24 working hours (16 hours for the case-back and eight hours for the dial) over the course of many days. This was followed by half a day of polishing to achieve a perfect, uniform shine.

That the two surfaces are perfectly matched in colour and purity is testament to a degree of skill that can be acquired only through many years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of very few watch Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling atelier, safeguarding and advancing this ancient craft.

Created to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year and made only to order, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ is testament to La Grande Maison’s vision of culture and creativity, where the artistic crafts live in perfect harmony with the technical expertise of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘DRAGON’

Case: Pink gold

Dimensions: 45.5 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm

Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre manually wound Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Black Grand Feu enamel, applied indexes

Case back: Black Grand Feu enamel, dragon engraving

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39324D1 - Made to order

• Showcasing the expertise of the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares™ atelier in the crafts of miniature painting, guillochage and Grand Feu enamelling

Since the early days of the Maison, Jaeger-LeCoultre has adopted Asian motifs and adapted Eastern decorative crafts to embellish special timepieces, embracing and perpetuating the cultural exchange that has existed between Asia and Europe for some 2,000 years. In 2023, La Grande Maison pays homage to this tradition with two new Reverso Tribute timepieces decorated with miniature-painted enamel reproductions of works by Katsushika Hokusai, Japan’s most celebrated 19^th-century artist: The Waterfall at Ono on the Kisokaido Road (Kisokaidō Ono no bakufu) and The Waterfall Where Yoshitsune Washed his Horse at Yoshino in Yamato Province (Washū Yoshino Yoshitsune uma arai no taki).

Hokusai’s fame rests on the innovative approach he brought to ukiyo-e painting, transforming a genre that had been narrowly focused on the hedonistic lifestyle of 19^th-century Edo Japan’s merchant class into a broader genre that that included landscapes, plants and animals.

The two works reproduced for the new Reverso Tribute enamel models are from a series of eight ukiyo-e paintings titled A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri) made by Hokusai after he spent two years travelling around Japan’s main island, Honshu, from 1831 to 1833, discovering some of its most inspiring landscapes. The master artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares™ atelier have previously paid homage to these works with a Reverso Tribute model in 2021 depicting the waterfall at Kirifuri, followed by the waterfall at Amida in 2022. The two new pieces created for 2023 continue this homage to the Japanese master, choosing subjects that also reflect the deep attachment to nature that is intrinsic to La Grande Maison’s spirit.

A Great Japanese Master with a Fascination for the Natural World

Innovative in his composition and use of colour, Hokusai (c.1760–1849) was a highly prolific illustrator, printmaker and ukiyo-e artist and, during his lifetime, woodblock printing flourished as a means of reproducing ukiyo-e paintings. As a consequence of Hokusai’s fame, ukiyo-e and woodblock prints became central to forming the West's perception of Japanese art. His monumental series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, includes The Great Wave off Kanagawa – one of the world’s best-known works of art – which Jaeger-LeCoultre honoured with a limited-edition Reverso in 2018. A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces marked the first time that the theme of falling water was approached in ukiyo-e painting. Highly expressive, each work is dominated by the waterfall, which dwarfs its human onlookers.

Capturing the Beauty and Power of Waterfalls

The Waterfall at Ono portrays a famous site in Nagano Prefecture, on the ancient road that linked the historic capital of Kyoto with the seat of the Tokugawa shoguns in Edo (today’s Tokyo). A small Shinto shrine stands on a rocky promontory next to the falls and, on a bridge below it, a group of travellers stand in awe of the power of the falling water. The composition of the painting amplifies this sense of power, with the water plunging in a straight vertical line between two towering cliffs. The Japanese traditionally believed that remarkable physical phenomena indicate the presence of a kami or Shinto god, and Hokusai rendered his scenes with a powerful sense of life, reflecting his animistic beliefs.

The Waterfall at Yoshino depicts a famous Japanese tale – an episode from the life of General Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189). Fleeing from his older brother who considered him a traitor for joining forces with the Emperor, Go-Shirakawa, the General paused to rest and bathe his favourite horse amid the mountains of Yoshino (in today’s Nara prefecture). In this powerfully graphic composition, the waterfall’s strong curves express the full force of the water passing through a deep, tree-lined valley. Evoking an image of a giant hand embracing the earth with fingers spread open, it is a poignant exploration of the relationship between nature, man and animals.

Artistry and Precision in Miniature

The miniature paintings on the Reverso case-backs were executed using the Geneva technique, involving at least 14 layers of enamel, each fired at 800°C before the next can be applied, and requiring a total of 80 hours’ meticulous work. As well as the technical feat of reproducing Hokusai’s original colours (including the graduated bokashi effect) in an entirely different medium, the enameller faced the challenge of precisely reproducing every detail with pinpoint accuracy, on a scale approximately one-tenth of the original. Most remarkable, perhaps, are the cartouches near the top of each frame, in which the original captions have been hand-written on a microscopic scale while remaining perfectly accurate and legible. Beyond mastering this technical feat, the enameller seeks to express the original artist’s intention and touch, imbuing each work with emotional resonance and a sense of soul.

The simplicity and discreet styling of the watches’ front dials – with the faceted appliqué hour-markers, Dauphine hands and chemin-de-fer minutes track characteristic of all Reverso Tribute timepieces – provides a contrast to the intricacy of the miniature paintings. However, this apparent simplicity belies the highly complex craftsmanship behind their creation. The background of both dials has been guilloché by hand: the pattern on the Waterfall at Ono piece is a classical barleycorn design, requiring three to four hours of painstakingly accurate work. For the Waterfall at Yoshino the craftsman applied a lozenge pattern comprising no fewer than 800 lines, each of which required five passages of the lathe (4,000 passages in total), representing eight hours of work only for the guillochage. Once the guillochage is completed, four to five layers of translucent green enamel are applied, with each layer requiring separate firing and drying – representing a total of eight additional hours of work, over the course of a week.

Embodying La Grande Maison’s vision of the world of art and culture, and showcasing the talents housed in the Métiers Rares™ (Rare Handcrafts) atelier within the Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux, the two new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces are a noble addition to the continuing story of the Reverso and its boundless scope as a canvas for creative expression.

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI – The Waterfall at Ono

Case: White Gold

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, Minutes

Power Reserve: 42 Hours

Front dial: Barleycorn guilloché, Grand Feu enamel

Caseback: Closed – miniature-painted Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334T5

Limited edition: 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI – The Waterfall at Yoshino

Case: White Gold

Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm thick

Calibre: Manually wound Calibre 822

Functions: Hours, Minutes

Power Reserve: 42 Hours

Front dial: Lozenge guilloché, Grand Feu enamel

Caseback: Closed – miniature-painted Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334T4

Limited edition: 10 pieces

·       New diamond-set case reaffirms Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of the jewellery crafts

·       The first Reverso One with a fully diamond-set bracelet

·       Manufacture Calibre 844 with the emblematic Duetto complication

The first watch to feature a rectangular case that can be turned over to protect its dial, the Reverso became a must-have almost immediately on its launch in 1931. Although originally conceived for polo players, this watch became recognised as a design icon, appealing to men and women from many walks of life, who embraced the originality of its design and the refinement of its Art Deco lines. Less than a year after its creation, feminine models of the Reverso appeared, subtly revisiting the original aesthetic codes: the rectilinear geometry of the reversible case with its bevelled triangular lugs, horizontal gadroons, and the chic simplicity of the dial.

A new expression of the alliance between Fine Watchmaking and High Jewellery

This year, in keeping with the pioneering spirit of La Grande Maison, which has created watches for women since its early days, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents two new expressions of the Reverso One. Cased in pink gold, they illustrate the union of Fine Watchmaking and High Jewellery down to the smallest detail. Expressing the full potential of an icon that never ceases to inspire the watchmakers of La Grande Maison and the craftsmen of the Métiers Rares workshop, the case of the new Reverso One Duetto Jewellery is entirely set with diamonds. One model is complemented by a shiny black leather strap and the other by a pink gold bracelet entirely set with diamonds. 

When the Duetto complication is adorned with pink gold and diamonds

In 1997, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso Duetto, featuring two back-to-back dials, each with a set of hands driven by a single movement but turning in opposite directions in order to display the same time correctly on both sides – a complex mechanism that represented a technical achievement for the Manufacture’s watchmakers. For the new Reverso One Duetto Jewellery models, the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 844 – entirely developed and produced within the Manufacture – now promises 50 hours of power reserve.

The new Reverso One Duetto Jewellery presents the back-to-back dial concept in a new setting that is as rare as it is precious. With 335 grain-set diamonds that cover the entire case-back and wrap seamlessly around its curved sides to frame the dial, the case is unquestionably a piece of jewellery, emphasised by the inverted diamond set into the crown. On the front, every detail of the silvered sunray dial with its guilloché decoration is delicately finished: the golden brackets in each corner, the applied Arabic hour numerals and hour markers, the Dauphine hands – all emblematic elements of the Reverso One models.

The reverse dial offers a striking contrast – dramatic and more mysterious. Enhanced by Art Deco-style gold hour markers – also emblematic of the collection – the black dial immediately catches the eye. Sprinkled across a background of glossy black lacquer, tiny gold flakes seem to form clusters of light particles, their radiance echoing the brilliance of the diamonds that adorn the case.

Setting by the Métiers Rares workshop

The Reverso One Duetto Jewellery raises the Duetto concept to even greater heights with a diamond-set bracelet – the first time that the case, bracelet attachment and bracelet links of a Reverso One have been fully gem-set. A total of 719 diamonds adorns this High Jewellery piece, including at least 384 for the bracelet alone.

To create the case and bracelet of the new Reverso One Duetto Jewellery, the gemsetters in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares workshop used the grain-setting technique, anchoring the diamonds with tiny, almost invisible gold beads that give the precious stones an unparalleled sparkle. Setting four diamonds together in perfect symmetry within the tiny dimensions of each pink gold link is testament to the gemsetters’ mastery of their craft.

The new Reverso One Duetto Jewellery reaffirms the watchmaking expertise and jewellery savoir-faire that La Grande Maison has cultivated with passion for several decades.  

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO ONE DUETTO JEWELLERY
CASE: 750/1000 pink gold

Dimensions: 40 x 20 mm, thickness: 9.09 mm

Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Manually Calibre 844, manually wound

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes (identical time on both sides)

Front dial: Silvered sunray

Back dial: Black glitter

Diamonds: 335 diamonds (2.44 carats)

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q336247J

REVERSO ONE DUETTO JEWELLERY (GOLD BRACELET)
Case: 750/1000 pink gold

Dimensions: 40 x 20 mm, thickness: 9.09 mm

Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Manually Calibre 844, manually wound

Power reserve: 50 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes (identical time on both sides) 

Front dial: Silvered sunray

Back dial: Black glitter

Diamonds: 719 diamonds (8.15 carats)

Strap: 750/1000 pink gold entirely paved with diamonds

Reference: Q3362370

• Showcasing the artistic talents housed within the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® atelier 
• The complex Reverso case subtly redesigned to host this artistic expression of Calibre 179

Designed according to the harmonious proportions of the Golden Ratio, the Reverso is known in watchmaking as a canvas for artistic expression – and in 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179. This artistic expression of the Calibre 179 marries the technical tour-de-force of the Maison’s signature multi-axis tourbillon to the finest of artistic craftsmanship, harnessing the skills of the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® (Rare Handcrafts) artisans to elevate this timepiece to a new level.

A tour-de-force of mechanical ingenuity

Representing mechanical sophistication of the highest order, Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the multi-axis tourbillon, developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers specifically for the Reverso. The demand that the regulating mechanism be integrated into a movement that is shaped to follow the contours of the rectangular Reverso case and is slim enough to be comfortable on the wrist, makes the engineering feat all the more noteworthy. Moreover, Calibre 179 is a Duoface movement, displaying a different time zone on each dial as well as a 24-hour indicator for the second time zone on the reverse dial.

Visually enthralling to observe as it pirouettes around its twin axes, the structure of the Gyrotourbillon is highly complex: with a total of 123 components, it comprises one ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball-bearings; these two elements turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds. The inner tourbillon cage rotates 360 degrees every 16 seconds and the peripheral carriage makes a full rotation once per minute; this peripheral carriage also provides a small seconds function, indicating the seconds on a ring that encircles the tourbillon aperture. A closer look reveals a blued semi-spherical balance spring beating at the heart of the mechanism, as well as the distinctive double-anchor shape of a Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’ – both elements paying testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s tireless quest for greater precision and mechanical efficiency. In this quest, the Manufacture’s engineers have created balance springs in several different forms over the years and this hemispherical shape, perfectly adapted to the hollow sphere at the heart of the Gyrotourbillon, adds aesthetic refinement as well as being highly efficient. The double-anchor shape of the Gyrolab was designed to reduce air friction and thus further enhance timekeeping accuracy.

Rather than being held in place by a conventional bridge, the tourbillon mechanism is supported by a ring of ball bearings. As a result, this flying gyrotourbillon appears to be floating in the space between the front and back dials of the Reverso, with no apparent means of support. The effect is amplified by the light reflected from the mirror-like surface of a polished blue lacquer disc positioned on the supporting cradle of the watch directly beneath the tourbillon aperture.

A showcase for the decorative arts

Anchoring the colour palette of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 and creating a rich contrast with the pink gold case, the glowing dark blue lacquer also appears on the front and reverse dials of the watch.

With its double-sided, Duoface movement, this Reverso offers two distinct personalities. On the front dial, in a subtle allusion to the geometric patterns of Art Deco that determined the original Reverso design, a fine lattice of golden lines contrasts with the blue lacquer background and complements the deep blue gradient lacquer of the time display.

These lines are in fact ultra-fine ribs of the calibre plate metal, which remained when the surface was hollowed out to create depressions to contain the lacquer. A work of extraordinary precision, the lacquer was deftly hand-applied between the metal ribs to achieve the desired richness of colour and exactly the right depth; the surface is then polished to a glossy finish so that its surface is flush with the golden ribs.

On the reverse dial, blue lacquer has been applied to the fine tracery of the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, highlighting the airy aesthetic and the contrast with the golden tones of various movement components, and the soft silvery texture of the micro-blasting. The decoration on the reverse dial is a fascinating marriage of technology and tradition, with laser skeletonisation complemented by hand chamfering and hand-applied lacquer – affirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s deep commitment to tradition while constantly seeking innovative approaches to the art and science of horology. Representing approximately 14 hours of chamfering work just for the cage of the Gyrotourbillon and eight hours for the signature shape of one bridge on the reverse side, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is testament to La Grande Maison’s commitment to hand-craftsmanship of the highest order.

Subtle new refinements for an iconic case

Instantly recognisable, the rectilinear geometry and harmonious proportions of the Reverso case – designed according to the Golden Ratio – belie the complexity of a design that incorporates the signature slide-and-swivel mechanism. The inside of the cradle is decorated with a deeply engraved sunray pattern that radiates out from the blue lacquer disc. With its strong Art Deco lines, emphasised by the signature gadroons above and below the dial, the case is a perfect foil for the intricate decoration of the two dials of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179.

Comprising 382 components, including a Gyrotourbillon, a movement as complex as Calibre 179 naturally requires a generously sized case. However, with an overall thickness of 13.63mm and newly reconfigured and refined lugs, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is designed to be elegant and wearable.

Crafted for true connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre – a remarkable collaboration between watchmakers and artisans who are at the peak of their powers.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO HYBRIS ARTISTICA CALIBRE 179

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Dimensions: 51.2 x 31 mm x 13.63 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 179

Functions: Hours and Minutes on both dials; second time zone with 24-hour indicator on reverse dial, Gyrotourbillon (visible on both front and reverse dials)

Power Reserve: 40 hours

Front dial: Blue lacquer

Back dial: Skeletonised, coated with blue lacquer

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: Dark Blue alligator leather

Reference: Q39424E1 - Limited edition of 10 pieces

• Reinterpreting the Reverso’s Art Deco origins as a magnificent piece of High Jewellery
• A noble marriage of the jewellery arts, rare handcrafts and fine watchmaking

Since clocks were first miniaturised to be carried or worn as watches, women have played a pivotal role in determining the aesthetic of time and the ways in which it is worn. Thanks to the pioneering spirit of its founder, LeCoultre & Cie recognised the tremendous aesthetic and technical potential of timepieces that could also be worn as jewels and accessories and, at an early stage in La Grande Maison’s history, began creating watches for women as well as men. Blending the arts of horology and jewellery, the Maison has continued to marry technical sophistication, creative design and aesthetic beauty in a process of constant evolution.

Underlining this commitment to feminine expressions of fine watchmaking, the Reverso – although originally conceived for the gentleman polo player – began to appear in feminine form very soon after its launch in 1931. Among the many variations were models that could be worn on a cordonnet bracelet or transformed into brooches, handbag clips or pendants. In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes this creative legacy to a new level, presenting a new interpretation of the Reverso in the form of a magnificent piece of High Jewellery – the Reverso Secret Necklace.

A timeless design reimagined as a jewel

Since 1931, no compromise has been made on the core design elements that define the Reverso – the horizontal gadroons that emphasise the rectilinear geometry of the case; the triangular lugs that appear to be a seamless extension of the case sides. Thanks to this distinctive, harmonious and highly functional case, the Reverso has become regarded as an icon of 20^th-century design. Far from being a limitation, the faithful adherence to its codes has allowed Jaeger-LeCoultre’s designers great creative freedom to constantly reinterpret its distinctive swivelling case without sacrificing its identity or integrity.

The Reverso Secret Necklace transforms the design icon into a graceful and exquisitely feminine sautoir, or long necklace. The cordonnet, the original black textile bracelet (literal translation: fine or small cord) seen on Reverso models of the 1930s has been reimagined as a supple chain of intricate diamond-set links and polished onyx beads, from which a richly gem-set Reverso is suspended. Two pendants of polished onyx charms add a refined flourish to this elegant new way of wearing the time.

Among High Jewellery watches there is a long history of secret watches – watches with a gem-set cover hiding the dial until the wearer wishes to read the time. The swivelling case of the Reverso is a twist on this idea, concealing the time when turned over. Although initially designed for purely practical reasons, the blank metal flip side of the case offers almost limitless potential for decoration with gem-setting, enamelling or engraving.

Worn with the case back turned to the front, the Reverso Secret Necklace is a beautiful Art Deco-inspired jewel that conceals its secret power of time-telling until the wearer chooses to reveal it; worn with the front dial showing, it is an exquisite timepiece that hides its reverse side like an enchanting, personal pleasure. It is notable that while the dial appears to observers to be upside-down, it is set that way so that the wearer can read the time naturally as she lifts the watch to her line of sight.

A masterpiece of the jewellery arts

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the very few watchmaking Maisons to have its own Métiers Rares® (Rare Handcrafts) atelier, bringing multiple craft skills together in a specialised workshop within its Manufacture. This encourages close collaboration between the various artisans, a constant exchange of ideas and a shared creative energy.

Recalling the Art Deco origins of the Reverso, the reverse side of the pink gold case is set with white diamonds and black onyx in an intricate pattern of geometric repeats, contrasting with the warm tone of the metal. Vertical rows of grain-set diamonds wrap around the convex sides of the case and frame the dial. Contrasting with the richness of black onyx and pink gold, the centre of the dial is set with white diamonds, as are the signature brackets that define each corner of the dial. Each of the hundreds of tiny links that form the supple chain has been set with diamonds – a particularly demanding process as it requires great skill and dexterity to manipulate such tiny elements. The clasp of the necklace is formed of polished onyx, pink gold and diamonds and the triangular sections that attach the cordonnet to the top and bottom of the case are also decorated with diamonds set in pink gold on a background of black onyx. With nearly 3,000 diamonds, the gem-setting on the Reverso Secret Necklace requires over 300 hours of meticulous work for our Métiers Rares® atelier artisans.

Concealed within the case, the movement that powers the Reverso Secret Necklace is testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to mechanical excellence. Developed and produced entirely in house and comprising 93 parts, the manually-wound Calibre 846 was created specifically for the Reverso and, in keeping with the Manufacture’s philosophy of product integrity, is shaped to follow the contours of the rectangular case.

The Reverso Secret Necklace is an exquisite creation that represents a rare and noble marriage of high jewellery, rare handcrafts and fine watchmaking.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO SECRET NECKLACE

Case: Pink gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Watch dimensions: 36.78 x 18 mm x 9.51 mm thick

Necklace length: 80cm circle of onyx beads and diamond-set links; 55cm length from clasp to tips of charms

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Functions: Hours and minutes

Power reserve: 38 hours

Dial: Black onyx and diamonds

Caseback: Black onyx and diamonds

Diamonds: Nearly 3’000 diamonds ~18 carats

Reference: Q3272301 – Limited production

• Reaffirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of the decorative crafts and jewellery techniques
• Aesthetic beauty complemented by the mechanical sophistication of in-house Calibre 846

As a singular example of Art Deco design, the Reverso has remained eternally modern since its creation in 1931. While the design was originally conceived for the polo field, it began to appear in feminine form even before the first anniversary of its launch – in keeping with La Grande Maison’s philosophy of creating technically sophisticated timepieces for both men and women since its early years. Remaining true to itself through decades of social change and shifting tastes, the Reverso has fulfilled a potential that could hardly have been imagined at the time of its creation and, for 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new expression of the Reverso’s feminine side. Offered in two eye-catching colour variations, the Reverso One Precious Colours features a richly decorated case that pays direct tribute to Art Deco style.

The Geometry of Art Deco

Emerging in the mid-1920s and named (many decades later) after the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Art Deco grew directly out of the tremendous social and cultural changes that followed the First World War. An exuberant and streamlined elegance that emphasised clean, strong lines as an organising principle, it reflected the new sense of freedom and hedonism that permeated every aspect of society. In surface decoration, the repetitive use of parallel lines and rectilinear motifs to form chevrons and zigzags was amplified by blocks of colour and gleaming metal accents, creating a visual dynamism that remains captivating to this day.

It is this design language that the talented artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Métiers Rares® atelier have translated for the Reverso One Precious Colours, creating a dazzling pattern that covers the entire case back and wraps seamlessly around the case sides to frame the dial.

With the front dial facing outwards, the Reverso One Precious Colours has a rich and elegant presence, its white mother-of-pearl dial contrasting with the vivid colours of its enamelled frame and the sparkle of the diamond-set gadroons and lugs. The dial is finely detailed with the narrow gold brackets in each corner, the applied numerals and the Dauphine hands that are signatures of all Reverso One jewellery models. The watch is fastened to the wrist by a shiny alligator strap, colour-matched to the case decoration.

A tour-de-force of the decorative crafts

Turn the swivelling case over and the Reverso One Precious Colours becomes a piece of High Jewellery. Presented in shades of blue with black on a pink gold background, or in different tones of green on a white gold background, the pattern is executed in miniature-painted grand feu enamel with diamond-set accents, creating an optical illusion of depth and movement.

The process is an exacting one, requiring absolute mastery of each technique, as well as the impeccable coordination of the different crafts, beginning with enamelling. The base metal, of white gold or pink gold, must first be sealed with a fondant or transparent enamel and fired. Next, to create a pristine surface onto which the multi-coloured design will be painted, the enameller applies layers of opaque white enamel, with drying and firing after each layer. Then, with great precision, the lines that define the geometric design are hand-drawn with a fine point across the flat surface of the watch case, continuing seamlessly around the sides. Only then can the colouring can begin.

Using a very fine-tipped brush, the entire surface is hand-painted to create the blocks of different colour – again working layer by layer, with firing after every application – until the enameller is fully satisfied with the depth and intensity of each colour. Once the firing of the colours is completed, more layers of transparent fondant are applied. Known as the Geneva technique, this final coating preserves the colours and enhances the sense of depth; this exceptionally durable surface is then hand-polished to achieve a shiny, glazed appearance, with the perfectly smooth finish of a sheet of glass.

Enamelling the convex case sides of the Reverso One Precious Colours at the same time as the flat case back is particularly challenging, because the two areas require a different consistency of enamel for better adherence during the firing. Equally challenging is the question of colour: just as an artist would do with paints on a palette, the enameller blends different metal oxide pigments together to achieve the desired variation of blue or green. However, with grand feu enamelling the outcome is unpredictable because firing at 800 degrees Centigrade changes some pigments, causing colours not to blend as expected. A Reverso One Precious Colours case requires up to 15 firings, as well as multiple phases of drying at 200 degrees. The ability to master such challenges comes only with years of experience and the five enamellers in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares® atelier have all thoroughly mastered the Geneva technique.

After enamelling, the Reverso case is handed over to the gem-setter, who must work with absolute precision to ensure that the diamonds are perfectly set. Using the grain-setting technique, tiny claws of gold are raised from the flat metal surface to hold each stone in place. This must be done without disturbing the finished enamel or encroaching on the perfectly straight lines that define the coloured fields and separate them from the gem-set ones. Setting the diamonds that decorate the Reverso One Precious Colours requires 45 hours of meticulous work, in addition to the preceding 80 hours of enamelling work. A great benefit of Jaeger-LeCoultre having its own decorative crafts atelier at the Manufacture, gathering multiple skills together under one roof, is that the different artisans are able to work so closely together, exchanging ideas and sharing each other’s creative energy.

Concealed within the case, the movement that powers the Reverso One Precious Colours is testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to mechanical excellence. Developed and produced entirely within the Manufacture, the hand-wound Calibre 846 was created specifically for the Reverso and, in keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of product integrity, is shaped to follow the contours of the rectangular case.

Reaffirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of the decorative crafts and fine jewellery techniques and deftly fusing functionality, aesthetics and fine watchmaking, this boldly feminine interpretation of the Reverso is a jewel to be worn, as well as a watch to tell the time.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO ONE PRECIOUS COLOURS

Case: Pink gold or White gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Watch dimensions: 40 x 20mm; thickness 9.09 mm

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846

Power reserve: 38 hours

Functions: Hours and minutes

Dial: Mother-of-pearl

Caseback: Grand-feu enamel and diamonds

Diamonds: 277 diamonds ~1.6 carats

Strap: Pink gold – Blue alligator; White gold – Green alligator

Reference: Pink gold Q3292432; White gold Q3293432 – Limited production

• A highly sophisticated and innovative movement, complex yet ultra-thin
• An ingenious flying tourbillon visible on both front and reverse dials, with the second time zone on the reverse dial
• Exquisitely hand-decorated in the Manufacture’s own Métiers Rares® atelier

La Grande Maison presents the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in pink gold inspired by its first tourbillon wristwatch – the Reverso Tourbillon – introduced thirty years ago. A glorious expression of the Calibre 847 introduced in 2018, it shines a spotlight on the Manufacture’s avowed expertise in tourbillons. Also incorporating the Duoface concept, its two dials present two different aesthetics, with a second time zone and a day-night indicator on the reverse dial.

An Heir to the Past Looks to the Future

At its birth in 1931 and for the first 60 years of its life, the Reverso was a time-only watch, with no added mechanical complications. Then, from 1990 onwards, as the 60^th anniversary of Reverso coincided with a renewed interest in mechanical watchmaking after the quartz crisis, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a series of exceptional Reverso models. Released over the course of a ‘golden decade’, each timepiece featured one of the great classical complications.

In 1993, harnessing the legacy of its first tourbillon movement Calibre 170, which was developed for a pocket watch in 1946, Jaeger-LeCoultre released the Reverso Tourbillon. Not only was it the Manufacture’s first wristwatch tourbillon, it was also the first in a rectangular case and the first with a shaped movement.

The Manufacture’s expertise in tourbillons has grown steadily from that point, with its development of multi-axis tourbillons incorporating a variety of shaped balance springs. Its mastery of this regulating device – which improves timekeeping accuracy by neutralising the effect of gravity on a watch movement – was confirmed in 2009 when Jaeger-LeCoultre watches took first and second places in the International Chronometry Competition. Today, the expertise continues to expand, with the development of a series of new configurations, the most recent being in Calibre 847.

Uniting a flying tourbillon with the Duoface complication, this ultra-thin hand-wound movement comprises 254 components and measures just 3.9mm thick. To achieve this, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers had to completely rethink the tourbillon mechanism to reduce as much height as possible. As well as dispensing with the upper bridge, to which the balance wheel is normally fixed, they replaced the outer tourbillon cage with a ball-bearing system and attached the balance wheel to the centre of the tourbillon. Normally, the hairspring would be attached to the outer tourbillon cage; however, in the absence of such a cage, a new solution was required. Jaeger-LeCoultre invented (and has patented) a unique S-shaped balance spring; one end is attached to a fixed point at the centre of the tourbillon mechanism and the other end fixed to the balance wheel. The S-shape avoids the coils of the spring touching each other and makes the spring perfectly concentric to the tourbillon, which is essential for precision.

Comprising 62 components and weighing a mere 0,455 grams, this highly sophisticated tourbillon is eloquent testimony to the Manufacture’s mastery of this regulating mechanism, as well as its status as one of the very few Manufactures to develop and produce its own hairsprings in-house.

The Duoface concept, a pillar of the Reverso collection since it was introduced in 1994, is a unique expression of the dual time zone complication, displaying local time on the front dial and home time on the reverse. The movement must turn the two sets of hands in opposite directions in order for them to move around their respective dials in the clockwise direction and display the correct time.

Adding to the mechanical elegance of the movement, all settings are controlled through the crown; this not only ensures simplicity of operation for the wearer but also preserves the aesthetic unity of the case.

Two Sides, Two Moods, Two Time Zones

On the wrist, with the front dial visible, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon has an elegant yet highly distinctive presence. Capturing the spirit of the early 1930s models, the pared-down aesthetic and signature details of the Reverso Tribute dial exude refinement; the faceted hour indexes are complemented by Dauphine hands and framed by a chemin de fer minute track.

These understated details, together with the subtle glow of the silver sunray-brushed front dial allow the tourbillon to take centre stage. The eye is drawn to its whirling motion, then travels all the way through its intricate structure to the back of the watch case. As the case turns over, it reveals the cradle, where a visually dramatic sunray pattern centres on a mirror-polished disc; the disc is precisely aligned with the tourbillon to reflect light back through the delicate mechanism.

The reverse dial of the watch projects an altogether bolder character, enhanced by partial skeletonisation and glorious decoration, including hand angling of the bridges, all executed in the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® workshop. The second time zone is indicated by golden hands and indexes on a black sunray-brushed dial, and above the dial, the night and day indicator features an exquisite starry night sky. Gold bridges, a reminder of the 1993 Reverso Tourbillon, are richly textured with Clous de Paris guilloché, and blued screws provide a rich contrast with the gold. The guillochage on the bridges – a delicate and highly skilled operation executed on a 100-year-old hand-operated lathe – represents six hours of meticulous work.

Timeless Modernity and Deceptive Simplicity

To enhance the elegance and wearability of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon, its case is just 9.15 mm thick, despite the complexity of the movement. Its clean Art Deco lines and strong geometry lend the case an air of deceptive simplicity. In fact, it is one of the most complex cases in watchmaking, with more than 50 components including the patented slide-and-swivel mechanism that connects the case to its cradle.

With its distinctive rectangular case, the Reverso is acknowledged as an icon of 20^th-century design and one of the world’s most recognisable watches. The harmonious proportions of its case – closely adhering to the original design that was based on the golden ratio – look as modern today as when the Reverso first left the drawing board more than 90 years ago, a perfect foil for fascinating complications.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats)

Dimensions: 45.5 X 27.4 mm; 9.15 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound mechanical movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibe 847

Functions: Hours, minutes, second time zone, night & day, tourbillon

Power reserve: 38 hours

Front dial: Silver sunray-brushed

Back dial: Black sunray-brushed

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q392242J

• ­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

• The new Calibre 860, entirely designed, produced and assembled within the Manufacture, unites a chronograph with retrograde minutes and a second time display on the reverse dial
• A highly original expression of the chronograph with a modern and timelessly elegant aesthetic

Born in 1931, the Reverso was one of the first wristwatches ever developed specifically for sport – its ingenious swivelling case designed to protect it when worn on the polo field – although its appeal immediately spread far beyond the sporting arena. In 2023, the new Reverso Tribute Chronograph pays tribute to the Reverso’s roots with the quintessential sporting complication – the chronograph. Perpetuating the spirit of inventiveness that has driven Jaeger-LeCoultre for 190 years, and drawing inspiration from the first Reverso Chronograph of 1996, the new Calibre 860 unites a chronograph with a double-sided display of the time.

Contrasting dials marry watchmaking tradition to modern aesthetics

The front dial of the watch bears all of the hallmarks of the Reverso Tribute line, with its baton hour markers, Dauphine hands and peripheral chemin de fer minutes track. The discreet elegance of the sunray-brushed surface gives no hint of the mechanical complexity that lies within; the only clue that there is much more to this timepiece is the presence of chronograph pushers on either side of the winding crown.

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph is presented in both steel and pink gold, complemented by dark blue and black straps respectively. The cool tone of the steel case is complemented by a blue-grey dial – a sophisticated colour achieved by the innovative ADL (atomic layer deposit) process, in which ultra-thin layers of titanium oxide are deposited. The subtle glow of a pure black dial creates a noble contrast to the richness of the pink gold case.

Turning the watch case over reveals the beautifully crafted chronograph mechanism on the reverse side. To showcase the fascinating animation of the chronograph and full complexity of the movement, the dial is entirely skeletonised, the bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève to create visual unity, and the chronograph seconds and minute tracks are highlighted in black to maximise legibility. Blue screws are matched by the blue of the chronograph hands, underlining the perfect integration of movement and decoration. Enhancing the sense of visual depth, the indications for the second time display – faceted baton indexes and chemin de fer minutes track – appear to be floating above the calibre.

A rich legacy of expertise in complications

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph revisits and reinvents the ground-breaking Reverso Chronographe of 1996. The earlier piece was one of six special Reversos developed in the space of a single decade, each of them designed around an entirely new expression of the great classical watchmaking complications. Starting in 1991, following the 60^th anniversary of the Reverso, these pieces were landmarks in the revival of mechanical watchmaking after the quartz crisis.

The movement of the 1996 Reverso Chronograph, Calibre 829, was not only the first shaped chronograph movement in a rectangular case for Jaeger-LeCoultre but also the first manually-wound integrated chronograph to be developed from scratch in the post-quartz era – a remarkable testament to the Manufacture’s inventiveness and technical prowess.

Calibre 860: a new expression of the chronograph

Adding a fresh chapter to the rich history of complicated calibres conceived and made in the Vallée de Joux, the Reverso Tribute Chronograph is powered by the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 860, a fully integrated hand-wound chronograph movement. Entirely designed, produced and assembled within the Manufacture, it is an elegant and creative answer to the challenge of housing circular chronograph timing indications within a rectangular case, while maintaining the clarity and legibility essential for this sporty complication. Moreover, according to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s approach to product integrity, whereby a movement should be shaped according to the case that houses it, the calibre itself also had to be rectangular. The result is a beautifully balanced and highly distinctive dial layout, with a large chronograph seconds display in the upper part of the dial complemented by a retrograde 30-minute indicator on an arc at the base of the dial.

Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, Calibre 860 incorporates a column wheel chronograph with a horizontal clutch, which was chosen over the more familiar vertical clutch to reduce the overall thickness of the movement. To display hours and minutes on both front and reverse dials, the movement powers two sets of hands that must move in opposite directions to indicate the time in correct clockwise fashion on both faces of the watch. Calibre 860 offers a power reserve of 52 hours, even allowing for the high energy requirement of a retrograde chronograph combined with two time indications. Despite this complexity and no fewer than 300 components, the shaped rectangular movement fully respects Jaeger-LeCoultre’s philosophy of elegance, fitting into a case less than 12mm thick.

Fagliano Collection straps add character and style

The two straps offered with each watch, a signature of the Reverso Tribute line, feature an interchangeable buckle for easy strap changes. In canvas-and-leather and all-leather options, they are designed by the celebrated Argentinian polo bootmaker Casa Fagliano, adding a dash of sporty sophistication while reconnecting the Reverso to its roots in the world of polo.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

REVERSO TRIBUTE CHRONOGRAPH

Case: Pink Gold 750/1000 (18 carats) or steel

Dimensions: 49.4 x 29.9 mm x 11.14 mm thick

Calibre: Manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 860

Functions: Hours and minutes on both dials, Chronograph with retrograde 30-minute counter

Power reserve: 52 hours

Front dial: Black or blue-grey sunray-brushed

Back dial: Skeletonised

Water resistance: 30m

Strap package: Fagliano Collection calf leather and canvas strap and additional calf leather strap

Reference: Pink gold Q389257J; Steel Q389848J

In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates a mystical number represented by the letter φ (Phi) and recognised as a universal signifier of beauty. Known today as the Golden Ratio, it is a common denominator for beauty and harmony shared by the natural world and man-made masterpieces – a proportion that humans instinctively find to be the most aesthetically pleasing.

Simplified as 1.618, the Golden Ratio (also called the Golden Mean, Golden Section, Golden Number or Divine Proportion) represents the unique relationship within an object, where the ratio of a larger part to a smaller part is the same as the ratio of the larger part to the whole. This intriguing mathematical relationship also translates into so-called golden spirals and rectangles. A golden rectangle is one in which, if a square is cut from it, with sides the same length as the rectangle’s shorter side, the remaining rectangle has the same proportion as the original rectangle.

In watchmaking, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso expresses this principle with utmost eloquence. Created in 1931 at the height of the Art Deco artistic movement, which emphasised geometric patterns, rectilinear shapes and clean lines, the original design of Reverso was governed by the Golden Ratio. While many variations of the Reverso case have been presented over the nine decades since then, the original proportions have remained as an anchor for the collection and the Golden Ratio continues to define the Reverso’s design today.

The Fascinating Relationship Between Geometry and Aesthetics                 

As humans we are innately attracted to beauty and, for thousands of years, civilisations have tried to unlock its secrets – to understand why we seek it, how to define it, and how to measure the basis of its appeal.

In 1931, the same year that the Reverso was designed, Matila Ghyka, a Romanian prince, philosopher and mathematician, published The Golden Number – a sequel to his Aesthetics of Proportions in Nature and in the Arts of 1927. These works summed up the many ways that Phi can be found not only in familiar organic forms, such as the spirals of shells, the arrangement of flower petals and the structure of pine cones, but also on the infinitely greater scale of the shape of galaxies and the whirling eye of hurricanes. The Golden Number also identified the presence of Phi in the most beautiful creations of humanity, explaining how its secrets were sought for their value in architecture, art and music, and tracing how its mysteries have been transmitted in an unbroken line from the Pythagorean mathematics of Ancient Greece to the present day. In this way, Ghyka provided a portal to a deeper understanding of the spiritual nature of beauty and the hidden harmonies that connect the whole of creation.

For the watchmakers of Jaeger-LeCoultre, surrounded by the fields, mountains and ancient forests of the Vallée de Joux, this unassailable connection between the aesthetic language of nature and man’s capacity to create beautiful objects is particularly meaningful.

A Long History

The inquiry into these mysteries began more than two millennia before Matila Ghyka’s writing: in 300 BC Euclid, in his Elements of Geometry, described what he termed “the extreme and mean ratio” – the first written definition of Phi. Even earlier, in the 6^th century BC, the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras examined the mystical properties of geometry, and the sculptor Phidias is said to have applied the Golden Ratio to the ornaments he made for the Parthenon, around 430 BC.

During the 12^th century, Leonardo Pisano, better known as Fibonacci, set out the recurrence algorithm or number sequence that bears his name (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89…). Each number is obtained by the sum of the two previous ones and thus, when we divide each number by the previous number, we obtain a value close to Phi. Remarkably, it is this sequence that defines the golden spirals found in nature. Three centuries later, the astronomer Johannes Kepler revealed the indisputable correspondence between the divine proportion and the Fibonacci sequence.

In 1498, the treatise La Divina Proportione, by Luca Pacioli, with illustrations by Leonardo da Vinci, laid down the proportions to be respected in order to achieve supreme beauty, thus establishing the essential elements that have marked European history and art ever since.

Whether intentionally or through a natural instinct for beauty, great architects and artists have employed these proportions in their work since time immemorial – from the pyramids of Giza and the Babylonian Tablet of Shamash (888–885 BC) to the Gothic cathedral of Chartres and the 20^th-century master Le Corbusier; from the great Renaissance artists, including Raphael, Botticelli and Michelangelo, to the Post-Impressionist Seurat and, later, Salvador Dalí, Piet Mondrian and the Section d’Or group of Cubist painters. Today, we see the proportion employed in many everyday objects, from the standard credit card to automotive designs and many brand logos.

The term golden section (goldener Schnitt) was first used in 1835 by the German mathematician Martin Ohm and popularised by the psychologist Adolf Zeising, who defined it as “the universal law in which is contained the ground-principle of all formative striving for beauty and completeness”.

Introducing New Reverso Models for 2023

At Watches and Wonders, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces three new models to the Reverso Tribute collection – the standard-bearer for the Golden Ratio that governed the proportions of the Reverso designs of the early 1930s.

The Reverso Tribute Chronograph honours the ground-breaking Reverso Chronograph of 1996, reinventing it with the new Calibre 860 which, in addition to revealing the beautifully crafted chronograph mechanism on the reverse side, displays the time indication on both the front and reverse.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon presents the complication in an entirely new guise – as a flying tourbillon set within an ultra-thin Duoface movement, displaying a second time zone on the reverse dial.

Four new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds models introduce new dials to the collection, in colour variations from classical silver to rich burgundy and black. Being a Monoface Reverso, the case flips over to reveal the classical closed case-back, which offers an ideal canvas for personalised engravings and other decoration.

In addition, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents an artistic expression of the Reverso Calibre 179 in a redesigned case. With an array of finely crafted decorative details, including skeletonisation and lacquer work, amplifying the technical tour-de-force and impressive visual effect of the Gyrotourbillon, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is a noble expression of the 180 watchmaking skills housed under one roof within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

For women, Jaeger-LeCoultre further highlights the artistic crafts housed within its Métiers Rares® atelier, as two new interpretations of the Reverso demonstrate the Maison’s boundless inventiveness and creativity.

The Reverso One Precious Colours is offered in two eye-catching colour variations: its entire case is adorned with a geometric Art Deco pattern of enamel and diamonds, in a visually arresting and boldly original execution of the art of grand feu enamel.

Presenting a fresh and elegant way for the 21^st-century woman to wear the Reverso, the Reverso Secret Necklace is a magnificent jewel that demonstrates, once again, the Reverso’s ability to constantly reinvent itself while faithfully respecting the original design codes. In a case entirely set with diamonds and onyx in an Art Deco pattern, the watch is suspended from a sinuous supple chain necklace of pink gold links and onyx beads.

Watches and Wonders: a Spectacular New Booth and a Deeper, Multi-Sensory Experience

For Watches and Wonders 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes inspiration from the agora of Ancient Greece – the period when Euclid recorded the earliest written reference to the Golden Ratio. Like the original agora, where people would gather to discuss everything from politics and judicial issues to business and philosophy, the booth represents the transmission of knowledge and is designed to encourage relaxed conversation as visitors discover the timepieces and the 2023 theme.

Viewed from above, elements of the floor plan conform to the proportions of golden rectangles and golden spirals, while at the heart of the space, a spectacular full-height water feature represents the monument that stood at the centre of each ancient agora.

Symbolising the source of creativity, the water acts as a ‘screen’ on which an enthralling digital show is projected, intensifying the sense of movement with light, images and sound, to tell the story of man’s quest to define the universal laws of beauty. In four chapters, the show traces the path from mankind’s observation of nature to our wonder at the essence of beauty and the first sparks of creative inspiration. It moves on to research and learning – the mathematics and philosophy that began to identify the ubiquity of certain proportions and, eventually, to the definition of these harmonies, which became the foundation for man-made beauty. The story concludes with the Reverso, which distils this quest into an object of beauty and a cultural symbol that has become a timeless icon.

Visitors to the salon can more deeply experience the 2023 theme through the Atelier d’Antoine, which will offer the opportunity to explore the theme through hands-on Discovery Workshops focusing on the Reverso, evoking the Golden Ratio as a key design element. The cultural universe of the Reverso will be further expanded by the presence of craftsmen from Casa Fagliano, the celebrated Argentinian bootmaker, who will demonstrate their exceptional artistry with leather. Since 2011, Casa Fagliano has collaborated with Jaeger-LeCoultre to make straps for the Reverso Tribute line. In addition, the 1931 Café makes its Watches and Wonders debut with a new selection of pastries composed by artist-pâtissier Nina Métayer that capture the essence of the Golden Ratio and the Vallée de Joux through flavour, texture and form.

Following Watches and Wonders, 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre will continue the world tour of Reverso Stories, taking this fascinating and unforgettable exhibition to new cities, in an expanded form that presents the history of this great timepiece through the theme of the Golden Ratio.

Brooklyn-based lettering artist Alex Trochut unveiled the new 1931 Alphabet specially created for Jaeger-LeCoultre. Celebrated for the way that he harnesses the visual potential of language to redefine typography, Alex turned to Art Deco as his stylistic springboard for the new lettering. “It’s a real pleasure to collaborate with Jaeger-LeCoultre on this project and reveal the new 1931 alphabet in the setting of the Reverso 1931 Café”, said Alex.

During the evening, a DJ set was provided by 5-time Grammy winning, Oscar winning, director, author and musician Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, the drummer and band leader for The Roots who serve as the house band for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Also among the guests was New York-based artist Michael Murphy, pioneer of the perceptual art movement. In 2021, marking the 90th anniversary of the Reverso, he created the installation Space Time, which transports its viewers through the three physical dimensions of space and the fourth dimension of time. Both artists are collaborating with Jaeger-LeCoultre under the aegis of its Made of Makers programme – an ongoing series of collaborations with artists, designers and craftsmen from disciplines outside watchmaking, which explores and extends the dialogue that exists between horology and art.

The Reverso 1931 Café offers a collection of pastries specially designed by the Paris-based chef Nina Métayer – also an alumnus of Made of Makers – to echo the Art Deco aesthetic of the interior design, and featuring flavours from Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, the home of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

The Reverso 1931 Café will be open at 729 Madison Avenue until Tuesday 22 November, then will become nomadic throughout the city, making appearances in Soho and Bryant Park between November 25^th and December 2^nd.

·        Refined details highlight the calendar indications

·        Straps designed by Casa Fagliano reinforce the spirit of craftsmanship

Icons may evolve over the years, but their essential nature remains constant. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has undergone innumerable iterations over the decades, and what all of them have in common is a balance of mechanical performance and refined construction. It is this balance, translating into ultimate versatility, that has allowed the Reverso to shine since 1931.

CONTEMPORARY YET TIMELESS

The new Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar brings a subtle touch of modern elegance to its reinterpretation of two iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre complications — the triple calendar and the Duoface. The latter consists in displaying two time zones on different faces of the Reverso, driven by a single movement calibre — and an oblong calibre —  which was introduced in 1994.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar preserves the legendary spirit of the original 1931 model whilst incorporating the contemporary aesthetic cues of 21^st-century watchmaking. Greater depth of detail, refined execution and subtle textures define this latest release, one model in stainless steel and the other in warm-hued pink gold.

In the ateliers of the Manufacture in Le Sentier, where the in-house expertise of Jaeger-LeCoultre is founded on close to two centuries of experience, watchmakers have mastered a panoply of calendar functions. The triple calendar, consisting of day, date and month indications, is an eternal classic that takes prime position on the recto dial of the new Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar. These indications, based on solar time, are balanced with a moon-phase display at 6 o’clock, uniting two aspects of the universe of celestial time on the same dial.

In the steel model, discretion and understated textures take the lead. Alternating surface finishes, such as polished hands set against a grained dial, ensure that all indications remain readable at a glance, even as the tone-on-tone colour palette imparts ultimate refinement. The radiant warmth of the pink-gold model is further amplified by the delicate lines of a sunrayed dial finish, its silvered tones bringing out the contrasting hue of the hands and hour markers.

The verso dial enjoys a completely refreshed look in both steel and pink-gold models of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar, characterised by a more select number of surface finishing techniques and a greater sense of space. The traditional Clous de Paris guillochage decorating the outer dial segment gives way to a sunrayed finish, originating from the same point as the hour and minute hands. This expansive radial effect is enhanced by the new hour markers, now set along the exterior periphery of the chemin-de-fer minuterie. At the 6 o’clock position, a day-night indication has been set behind the hour-and-minute counter, creating a subtle way of revealing essential information about the second time-zone .

CRAFTING A LEGACY

The new Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar perpetuates a long-standing partnership between legendary maisons, a story whose first chapter was written in 2011. Casa Fagliano is an Argentina-based and world-renowned artisanal workshop specialising in polo boots, known for its values of traditional craftsmanship and quality — values that will resonate with those who love Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Calf-leather straps in the distinctive style of Casa Fagliano are paired with the Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar, deep blue for the steel model and grey for the pink-gold model. Reflecting the subtle differences in personality between the two models, the steel Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar is equipped with a matching deployant buckle while the pink-gold version comes with a classic pin buckle. Evoking the fast-paced exclusive world of polo, each model also comes with a bi-material strap in leather and fabric, specially selected in hues that suggest the patina of vintage equestrian equipment. Thanks to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s quick-change strap and buckle attachment system, wearers are easily able to switch between strap options for maximum versatility.

The manually wound calibre 853 that drives the Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar is the epitome of the spirit of fine watchmaking at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Entirely designed, produced and assembled in-house, calibre 853 is one of the rare creations known as form movements, dedicated mechanical constructions that are conceived expressly for the contours of a non-round watch and therefore distinguished by their exclusivity. Despite its compact dimensions, allowing it to fit within the classic case proportions of the Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar, calibre 853 preserves all the details and refinement that characterise traditional haute horlogerie, such as chamfered edges, countersunk jewels, mirror-polished screws, and bridges decorated with Geneva Stripes. None of this is visible to the wearer, but it is this internal quest for quality that makes possible the ultimate performance of the watch — a promise fulfilled by the deep patrimony of savoir-faire at Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE CALENDAR

Dimensions: 49.4mm x 29.9mm

Calibre: manual mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 853

Functions recto: hours, minutes, day, date, month, moon phases

Functions verso: 2^nd timezone, night and day

Power reserve: 42 hours

Frequency: 21,600

Dial recto: silver sunrayed

Dial verso: grey sunrayed

Case: pink gold 750/1000 (18 Karats)

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: interchangeable brown Fagliano collection calf and additional grey canvas and calf Fagliano collection

Reference: Q3912530

REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE CALENDAR

Dimensions: 49.4mm x 29.9mm

Calibre: manual mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 853

Functions recto: hours, minutes, day, date, month, moon phases

Functions verso: 2^nd timezone, night and day

Power reserve: 42 hours

Frequency: 21,600

Dial recto: silver grained

Dial verso: blue sunrayed

Case: stainless steel

Water resistance: 30m

Strap: interchangeable blue Fagliano collection calf and additional blue canvas and calf Fagliano collection

Reference: Q3918420

Through ‘Made of Makers’ – a series of collaborations with artists, designers and craftsmen from disciplines outside watchmaking – Jaeger-LeCoultre is exploring and extending the dialogue that exists between horology and art. Honouring the core principles that define the Manufacture, La Grande Maison is choosing partnerships with leading creators who share its fundamental values of creativity, expertise and precision. The collaborations focus on world-class practitioners whose work explores new forms of expression through different and often unexpected materials and media.

A native of Barcelona and based in New York for the past decade, Alex Trochut has become celebrated for his experimental approach to typography. Like the artisans who construct watch movements and those who decorate the dials and cases, Alex creates emotionally resonant work that combines deep complexity with apparent simplicity. He harnesses the visual potential of language, pushing letters and words to new limits so that seeing and reading become the same action; text and image become a single, unified expression.

For Jaeger-LeCoultre, Alex has created a meaningful representation of La Grande Maison’s values through a new and boldly contemporary alphabet style, the 1931 Alphabet. As a stylistic springboard, he turned to Art Deco – a style that remains very evident to this day in the visual landscape of his adopted home, New York, and one of great importance to Jaeger-LeCoultre as the origin of the Reverso. More than simply a style, Art Deco expressed the extraordinary spirit of modernity that swept the world in the 1920s and ’30s – progressive, optimistic and forward thinking, with a fascination for technology, and tremendous creative energy – values that will always remain relevant for the Manufacture.

 “We are delighted to work with Alex Trochut,” says Catherine Rénier, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre. “His creative work is avant-garde and like our Maison, he uses his heritage as a foundation, harnessing that legacy in order to express the present and future in new creative ways.”

The new 1931 Alphabet that Alex has created for Jaeger-LeCoultre is a strongly modern addition to the Maison’s visual identity. In a sharp and contemporary take on Art Deco, each letter has a boldly sculptural quality and strong sense of visual depth, while also conveying a sense of dynamism and movement. It is equally expressive in both two-dimensional form and as three-dimensional objects.

Alex sees a natural affinity between his work and that of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers and artistic craftsmen: “I think craft and technical skills are at the heart of both typography and watchmaking,” he says. “Letters are a mix of emotional and rational decisions, with a big internal logic that ties all the decisions into one alphabet or lettering form, like a puzzle. While I consider watchmaking to be another level of complexity, both disciplines embody a devotion to the little things, which need to work in harmony inside a system.

Immediately engaging on both a visual and emotional level, Alex’s work has redefined traditional ideas of what typography can be. “Letter design is the non-verbal communication of the written medium,” he says. He attributes his special connection with typography to his grandfather Joan Trochut, who invented a revolutionary modular typographic and ornament system in the 1940s and is recognised as a major contributor to the history of typography.

Destined to become an additional signature of La Grande Maison, the 1931 Alphabet will be offered as a new style of personalisation for engraving on a Reverso case-back and will be seen in a wide variety of other initiatives in the future.

· Showcasing the expertise of the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® atelier in the crafts of guillochage, miniature painting and Grand Feu enamelling

 · A limited edition of 10 pieces, initially offered only in Japan

In its latest homage to Asian art, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai ‘Amida Falls’, honouring the work of the 19th-century Japanese master, Katsushika Hokusai. The case-back of the new timepiece is decorated with a hand- enamelled miniature reproduction of The Amida Falls in the Far Reaches of the Kisokaidō Road (Kisoji no oku Amida-ga-taki), the best-known work from A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces (Shokoku taki meguri), a series of eight woodblock prints created by the artist in 1833–34.

For almost two millennia, a two-way cultural exchange between Asia and Europe has had a profound influence on every art form of both East and West – and the new Reverso continues the dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions that La Grande Maison has embraced throughout its history. Complementing the exquisite tribute to the Asian art form of woodblock printing on the case-back, the dial is anchored in the Western craft traditions of guillochage and Grand Feu enamel.

Celebrating a great Japanese master

In the 19th century, Hokusai was among a handful of Japanese artists who elevated the ancient practice of woodblock printing from popular, “low” art to high art form, thanks to his innovations in subject matter, colour and composition. His ‘Waterfalls’ series – produced when he was in his seventies – is considered by many art historians to be among the finest landscapes ever produced. The best known of the series, ‘Amida Falls’ epitomises the artist’s fascination with the power of cascading water and monumental land forms, which dwarf the human figures enjoying a picnic nearby.

A work of precision and artistry

To capture the power of Hokusai’s original image and faithfully reproduce every detail on a surface of just three square centimetres – little more than one-tenth the size of the original – Jaeger-LeCoultre’s master artisans had not only to miniaturise and perfectly mimic every detail of the composition but also to create the illusion of the woodblock printing technique – a specific effect entirely different from enamelling. To achieve this, the enamellers had to develop a special technique that reproduces the characteristic bokashi effect of the subtly nuanced and graduated colours of works originally printed on paper, while also capturing the vivid blues and yellows that are a signature of Hokusai’s work. It is a carefully orchestrated process of many stages, which represents a full 70 hours of work over the course of many weeks, including a total of 12–15 separate firings at 800 degrees Celsius.

The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute dial – with its faceted appliqué hour-markers and Dauphine hands – places full value on the beauty of its decoration. Complementing the miniature painting on the case back, this dial is decorated with a guilloché lozenge pattern – the texture of which is amplified by translucent Grand Feu enamel in a rich shade of green.

Executed by hand, using a century-old lathe, the lozenge pattern requires great dexterity and skill: holding the dial plate at a carefully calculated angle, each of the 60 lines that make up the pattern requires three passages of the lathe – making 600 passages altogether; for every passage, the plate must be held at precisely the same angle to ensure that the lines are crisply etched and the pattern is perfectly symmetrical. This process alone requires around four hours of extremely focused work, and is followed by the application of at least six layers of translucent enamel, each of which requires separate firing, spanning more than a week. Once the enamelling has been completed, the final challenge is the faultless application of the indexes (which requires tiny holes to be drilled through the pristine surface of the enamel) and the transfer of the chemin de fer minutes register.

Testament to the exceptional artistry and skill of the artisans working in the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares® (Rare Handcrafts) atelier, the new Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai ‘Amida Falls’ epitomises La Grande Maison’s vision of the world of art and culture. It completes a trilogy of Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces that pay homage to Hokusai – another work from his ‘Waterfalls’ series, Kirifuri Waterfall at Kurokami Mountain in Shimotsuke (Shimotsuke Kurokamiyama Kirifuri-no-taki) in 2021, and a reproduction of his most famous work, The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nama ura) in 2018.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI ‘AMIDA FALLS’

Case: White gold

Dimensions: 45.5mm x 27.4mm x 9.73mm

Calibre: Manually wound - Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 3 meters

Dial: Lozenge guilloche, with translucent Grand Feu enamel

Case-back: Closed – Miniature Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator 

Reference: Q39334T3

Limited Edition: 10 pieces

An immersive retrospective that leads visitors on a journey through nine decades of timeless modernity, Reverso Stories has previously welcomed thousands of visitors in Shanghai and Paris. It explores the creative and cultural universe of this exceptional timepiece and features a specially commissioned art installation by the American artist Michael Murphy, as well as many historic artefacts and a selection of milestone Reverso watches from the earliest time-only models to the ground-breaking Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185. The exhibition invites visitors to experience the story of Reverso through four different themes: its origins; style and design; innovation and craftsmanship.

After touring the exhibition, Kim Woo-Bin said: “It’s a great pleasure to discover the Reverso Stories exhibition in Seoul. It is a unique cultural experience and the way the story is told through four different themes brings it to life in a fascinating way. It’s very impressive to see so many archive materials and heritage documents that are rarely shown in public, as well as historic and modern Reverso watches.”

Seen in Korea for the first time, Michael Murphy’s installation Space Time is an enthralling rendition of the Reverso Nonantième that transports visitors through the three physical dimensions of space and the fourth dimension of time. Another highlight of the exhibition is the 1931 Café, a chic setting designed in homage to the Art Deco origins of Reverso, which offers a special menu of sweets and cakes created exclusively for Jaeger-LeCoultre by the Parisian pastry chef Nina Métayer.

The “Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931” exhibition and the 1931 Café will be open from May 25^th to June 12^th on Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 8:30pm and on the weekend from 11:00am to 9:00pm at S FACTORY, 11 Yeonmujang 15-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 

The exhibition is free to the public, booking is recommended at THE REVERSO STORIES 전시회 서울 | Jaeger-LeCoultre (thereversostoriesseoul.com). Audio guides are available for the exhibition. 

In 2022, nine decades after the Reverso was born, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the latest episode in this story: the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Tiger” – a remarkable expression of the Manufacture’s craftsmanship and creativity. Created to coincide with Chinese New Year and the opening of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new flagship boutique in Shanghai, the new timepiece pays tribute to the Year of the Tiger.

Swivelling the watch case to its reverse side reveals a magnificent tiger. Engraved into the pink gold case metal, it seems to leap out from its background of black opaque Grand Feu enamel, the polished surface of the tiger’s coat and the contrasting rhodium-brushed texture of its stripes catching and refracting the light to create the illusion of movement and power.

To maximise the sense of volume and bring depth to the engraving, the artisan engraver used a technique called modelled engraving, using differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal step by step – a precise and exacting task that requires absolute focus and remarkable dexterity. Adding to the challenge of creating this interpretation of the Reverso Tribute Enamel, the engraver’s work began not, as is usual, with a bare metal surface but with one that already had its coat of Grand Feu enamel. An unprecedented accuracy of gesture is necessary in order to avoid all risk of damage to the pristine enamel, and the engraver devoted 55 working hours to the creation of this masterpiece.

The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel features the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel as the case back. The elegant simplicity of the Reverso Tribute dial, with its faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands – in this case, perfectly matched to the pink gold of the case – places full value on the subtle beauty of the glowing black background.

The apparent simplicity of the pure black enamel is deceptive because in Grand Feu enamelling, the outcome of the firing process is never entirely predictable. Building up the enamel layers to create a black of such depth and richness, with each new layer followed by firing, the enamelling of the two surfaces of the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Tiger” required no less than 20 working hours. That they are perfectly matched in colour and purity is testament to exceptional skills that can be acquired only through many years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of very few watch Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling atelier, safeguarding and advancing this ancient craft.

Created to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year and made only to order, the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Tiger” offers the possibility of being personalised with different enamel colours. An ideal canvas for artistic expression, the case-back of every Reverso offers limitless potential for clients to harness the talents of the artisans in our Métiers Rares® atelier – from enamelling and engraving to miniature painting and gem-setting – to craft one-of-a-kind creations.

This new Reverso Tribute Enamel is testament to La Grande Maison’s vision of culture and creativity, where the artistic crafts live in perfect harmony with the technical expertise of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL

Dimensions: 45.5mm x 27.4mm x 9.73mm

Calibre: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822A/2, manually wound

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power reserve: 42 hours

Case: Pink gold

Dial: Grand feu enamel, applied indexes

Case back: Grand feu enamel, engraving

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39324K1 - made to order

Displayed over five floors, the "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" exhibition explores the creative and cultural universe of one of the world's most recognisable and celebrated wristwatches. The exhibition continues with a retrospective featuring the history of the Reverso told through four themes, from its origins to the present day. A highlight of this exhibition is the 1931 Café, an elegant setting designed in homage to Art Deco, which offers a special menu of sweets and cakes created by the Parisian pastry chef Nina Métayer.

Among the guests, acclaimed British actor and long-term Friend of the Maison Nicholas Hoult learned more about the iconic Reverso timepiece while wearing the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in green. Nicholas Hoult can most recently be seen in the critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Emmy nominated Hulu series, THE GREAT. The new season is set to premiere on Friday, 19^th November for which he also serves as an Executive Producer.

American artist Michael Murphy sported the Reverso Tribute Nonantième, the timepiece chosen to be represented through SPACETIME, an art installation created by him for Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Actress Fala Chen and French actress Camille Razat also discovered the history of a watch of exceptional design and a destiny spanning nine decades.

The "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" exhibition and the 1931 Café will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 21^st October to 24^th December 2021 at 15 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Entry to the exhibition is free to the public.

Reservations are recommended and can be made on www.exposition-reverso.com

Audio guides are available for the exhibition. 

OF THREE ‘LOST’ PAINTINGS

In 2021, marking 90 years since the birth of Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures, a trio of watches that celebrates the work of three great masters from the dawn of Modern Art: Gustave Courbet, Vincent Van Gogh and Gustav Klimt. The new timepieces also unite three distinct artisanal skills practised within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre: grand feu enamel, miniature painting and guillochage – the latter executed on century-old, hand-turned machines.

The Reverso Tribute collection is closest in its stylistic details to the 1930s originals, and in these three new watches, the signature simplicity of their dials enhances the subtle beauty of the guilloché backgrounds. The colour of each dial – a different shade of misty blue or green – hints at the colours of the enamelled treasures hidden on the reverse side, while the restrained design contrasts with the richness and detail of the miniature works of art.

The three paintings reproduced in the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures triptych represent three markers of a major watershed in the Western artistic tradition, from the 19th-Century Realism of Courbet, to Van Gogh’s Post-Impressionism, to the expressive and experimental spirit of Klimt and the Viennese Secession. To honour the Reverso’s unique ability to hide or reveal the artistic treasure created on its reverse side, the Manufacture’s researchers identified three beautiful paintings that had been hidden from the world for many decades – assumed to have been lost for ever until rediscovered and authenticated in recent years.

Gustave Courbet – View of Lake Léman (1876)

Exiled from his native France in 1873, Gustave Courbet settled near Vevey, on the shore of Switzerland’s Lake Léman (Lake Geneva), where he was inspired by the constantly changing views across the water. In this beautifully atmospheric work, Courbet has captured the movement of the clouds and the sunlight on the lake’s surface.

Reproducing a major portion of the work for the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s master enameller has perfectly captured the delicate colour palette, fine details and evocative atmosphere of the original. The soft tones of the painting are perfectly complemented by the gleaming white gold case, and by the subtle herringbone guilloché texture of the misty grey-blue dial.

Vincent Van Gogh – Sunset at Montmajour (1888)

After moving to the South of France in 1888, Van Gogh experimented with new styles of visual expression. Painted directly from life on a summer evening, Sunset at Montmajour is an example of the artist’s quest to portray nature in new ways – capturing the distinctive vegetation of Provence and the rich colours of the ‘golden hour’ just before sunset.

For the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s master enameller faithfully reproduces the strong sense of perspective of the original, as well as the effect of artist’s characteristic brush strokes and heavy impasto. The distinctive shade of green enamel chosen for the sunray-guilloché dial provides an elegant counterpoint to the rich gold and russet tones of the painting.

Gustav Klimt – Portrait of a Lady (1917)

Painted by Gustav Klimt a year before the end of his life, Portrait of a Lady is the only known ‘double’ portrait by the Viennese artist, painted over an earlier work. Klimt had fallen madly in love with a young woman who became his muse, then suddenly died. Attempting to ease the pain of his loss, he painted over her portrait with a new one, of a different lady.

Reproduced in miniature on the case back of the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures, Portrait of a Lady captures the same dreamy quality that Klimt had created. The subject’s elegant pose and fashionable outfit are reproduced in perfect detail, and the green tones of the background create an illusion of depth, just as in the original. The green dial, decorated with grand feu enamel over a fine barleycorn guilloché pattern, beautifully evokes the luminescent quality of the portrait’s background.

Enamelling – a rich tradition at Jaeger-LeCoultre

The art of enamelling has a long history at La Grande Maison, dating back to the pocket watches of the 1890s. The first known Reverso with an enamelled case back is a model commissioned by a client in 1936, featuring a delicately detailed portrait of who is thought to be a Maharani on the reverse side.

Having established its own in-house enamelling atelier in the 1990s – to this day, one of the very few Manufactures to have done so – Jaeger-LeCoultre began in 1996 to reproduce the works of major artists from Europe and Asia on the tiny scale of the Reverso case back.

To reproduce a painting in enamel on the case back of a watch presents several challenges. The enameller’s skill as a draftsman must not only be equal to that of the original artist but must also be reduced to a tiny scale. What’s more, colour must be controlled so as to exactly match the original work of art – and yet, the nature of enamel pigment means that the outcome after firing cannot be exactly predicted. It is a question of the artisan’s judgement, based on many years of experience.

The Courbet and Van Gogh works reproduced for the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures pose a particular challenge: both artists used a heavy impasto, whereby paint is applied so thickly that it is raised above the surface of the canvas. Because this technique of course cannot be duplicated with enamel, the enamellist had to create an illusion of the technique. On the other hand, the luminescent quality of grand feu enamel gives it a particular advantage over oil on canvas: tilting an enamelled surface to catch the light reveals unexpected depth and nuances.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HIDDEN TREASURES – COURBET

Case material: White gold

Case dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm

Case thickness: 9.73 mm

Movement: Manually wound – Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Dial: Herringbone guilloche, with Grand Feu enamel

Case back: Closed – Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334C2

Limited Edition: 10 pieceson: 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HIDDEN TREASURES – VAN GOGH

Case material: White gold

Case dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm

Case thickness: 9.73 mm

Movement: Manually wound – Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Dial: Sunray guilloche, with Grand Feu enamel

Case back: Closed – Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334V1

Limited Edition: 10 pieces

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HIDDEN TREASURES – KLIMT

Case material: White gold

Case dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm

Case thickness: 9.73 mm

Movement: Manually wound – Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Dial: Barleycorn guilloche, with Grand Feu enamel

Case back: Closed – Grand Feu enamel

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334K1

Limited Edition: 10 pieces

“We invite you to join us on a journey – one that began in 1931. Born at the height of the Art Deco era, the Reverso watch has become a cult object over time, a symbol of style and elegance. May this be an unforgettable journey of discovery for you," said Catherine Rénier in an opening speech that immediately set the tone. It is an invitation to travel through a world of Art Deco style, Parisian chic and the French art of living.

A highlight of this exhibition is Café 1931, an elegant setting designed in homage to Art Deco, which offers a special menu of sweets and cakes created by the Parisian pastry chef Nina Métayer – who was also present at the inauguration.

Actor, film director, Nicolas Maury, actor Djebril Zonga, as well as artist Inès Mélia, were also among the well-known figures present, who enjoyed discovering the history of a watch of exceptional design and a destiny spanning nine decades.

Displayed over five floors, the "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" exhibition explores the creative and cultural universe of one of the world’s most recognisable and celebrated wristwatches. An immersive and sensory experience, it begins with an art installation specially commissioned by Jaeger-LeCoultre from the American artist Michael Murphy.

The exhibition continues with a retrospective featuring the history of the Reverso told through four themes, from its origins to the present day. Guests were able to admire an amazing selection of Reverso models that have left their mark on history and that continue to keep alive the legend of this piece that has become a benchmark in design.

The "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" exhibition and the 1931 Café will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 21^st October to 24^th December 2021 at 15 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Entry to the exhibition is free to the public.

Reservations are recommended and can be made on www.exposition-reverso.com

Audio guides are available for the exhibition. 

Born at the height of the Art Deco period, the Reverso perfectly epitomised the spirit of its time – a dazzling and exuberant modernity that changed everything from music and art to architecture, fashion and sport, and introduced a radically new aesthetic language.

In a world where silvered dials prevailed, the original Reverso models featured a black dial with contrasting indexes. The black dial was described as having incredible legibility and was referred to as “the dial of the future”. Almost immediately, aesthetic variations began to appear with notable-coloured dials. Introduced at a time when coloured dials were rare in watchmaking, made to order dials in bright red, chocolate brown, burgundy or blue lacquer made the Reverso appear even more modern and distinctive. From the beginning, different case metals and re-sized models for women were offered to be worn on a cordonnet bracelet or transformed into pendants or handbag clips.

However, there was never any compromise on the core design elements – the horizontal gadroons that emphasise the rectilinear geometry of the case; the triangular lugs that appear to be a seamless extension of the case sides; and the case that fits so perfectly into its carrier that, at first glance, there is no evidence that it can be flipped over. The proportions of the original rectangular case were crucial to the success of the design. The ratio of its length to width was based on the golden mean – a unique mathematical relationship defined by the ancient Greeks, which humans instinctively find to be the most aesthetically pleasing proportion.

While the modern Reverso has incorporated high complications, the enduring success of the model is fundamentally not about the mechanical complexity of the watchmaking; its value lies in the ingenious conception and perfect execution – a deft synthesis of form and function that responded so well to a particular need that it was able to transcend that utilitarian purpose and take on a life of its own. This is not to diminish the intricacy of the flip mechanism itself and the ingenuity of its engineering, which combine to produce the tactile pleasure of the case gliding in its carrier and the satisfying click as it locks into place. But that, too, is entirely a matter of the Reverso fulfilling its original intention – with the greatest possible elegance.

Filmed in Switzerland by French director and cinematographer Théo Gottlieb, it is a quietly beautiful reflection on life’s turning points – with the Reverso as an allegory for those pivotal moments that determine whether we remain as we are or ‘turn’ and go further.

IN EVERY STORY THERE IS A TURNING POINT

The narrative follows Nicholas through the process of an audition, contrasting moments of intense focus as he prepares to go onstage, with periods of calm reflection amid the forests of the Vallée de Joux. As the film moves between the two settings, the actor flips the Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon on his wrist to reveal its second, contrasting face. The second time zone on the reverse side subtly underlines the sense of reaching a new point.

These turning points are the essence of who we really are – the transcendent moments in our life’s journey that take us from where and what we are, to reveal what we can become. The moments when everything clicks beautifully into place – symbolised by the gentle and satisfying click of the Reverso as it locks into its new position.

Moving at a gentle pace through visually beguiling settings, the film explores abstraction and reality, nature and the man-made – revealing the beauty of each, and capturing the essence of the Reverso.

The Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon was chosen for this film because it so perfectly embodies the Manufacture’s never-ending quest for excellence and innovation. Uniting a flying tourbillon with the Duoface concept for the first time, it elevated the Reverso to a new level of refinement and sophistication, both technically and aesthetically.

For Nicholas, the Reverso has a special appeal: “The two faces really express my life: the character I play when I work, and the person I am when I’m not working.”

Speaking of turning points in his own life, Nicholas emphasises the power of focus and discipline, balanced by pivotal moments of quiet reflection: “Being immersed in nature – walking in the woods, or going surfing – puts me into a state of peace, where I feel at one with the world. I come back refreshed, revitalised and ready to get back into action.”

In this new film, the turning of the Reverso symbolises every such pivotal moment – and, in doing so, is an exquisite celebration of our human potential.

MANIFESTO

Every story is made of moments.

But a true story has this one moment: Its turning point.

This moment when you summon the past to find the inner strength and the courage to go further.

This moment where time gathers. Every wish, every hope, all our experiences reunited in a heartbeat. And nothing will ever be the same again.

It's all about constant dedication.

And at this point, all it takes is one final inspiration, one final push, to overcome this moment of truth…and finally reach the point, where the past is the past, the future ready to unfold, and the story ready to be told.

Reverso

Nicholas Hoult has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. Known for blockbuster films like the X-MEN franchise as well as for award-winning films like THE FAVOURITE, his upcoming projects reflect his agility with appearances in international franchises as well as character-driven dramas.

Hoult can most recently be seen in the critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Emmy nominated Hulu series, THE GREAT. His performance earned him Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. He will appear in season two of the series, for which he serves as an Executive Producer. Hoult is currently in production of Mark Mylod THE MENU, opposite Anya Taylor-Joy.

With its distinctive Art Deco lines and swivelling case, the Reverso is one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches. Its story embodies Jaeger-LeCoultre’s eternal pursuit of beauty and aesthetic refinement, expanding the Reverso’s stylistic realm by harnessing the full potential of its unique design. Allied to this is the Manufacture’s endlessly inventive quest for technical advancement – from the revolutionary idea of a case that could be flipped over, and the ingenious mechanism that made it possible, to the development of complications specific to the Reverso.

A distinguished legacy in chiming watches

In the 1990s, amid the rebirth of mechanical watchmaking that followed the quartz crisis, the Reverso – with its distinctive rectangular case – became the vehicle through which the Manufacture would redevelop its expertise in high complications. Having mastered the added challenge that rectangular movements dictate an entirely different architecture from that of traditional round movements – a particularly demanding challenge for chiming mechanisms – Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the Reverso Répétition Minutes in 1994. It was the first time the Maison had miniaturised a minute repeater for a wristwatch and was the world’s first rectangular minute repeater movement.

In fact, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s mastery of chiming mechanisms dates back to the very foundation of the Manufacture in 1833, and its deep expertise is today confirmed by an archive of more than 200 chiming calibres. Since that first Reverso minute repeater of the 1990s, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers and designers have redefined the benchmark for acoustic quality, harnessing new technology in service of this noble tradition.

A new expression for the Minute Repeater

Embodying technical advances such as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s patented trebuchet hammers, silent regulator and a new generation of gongs, the Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater is powered by a revised version of Calibre 944 – a movement entirely conceived, designed and produced within the Manufacture. The new timepiece is distinguished by dials on both the front and reverse sides, bringing a fresh visual expression to the timeless Reverso design, as well as to the minute repeater mechanism itself. While the dials both display the same time, they are very different in character – one exuberant, the other more sober. Both are a testament to the beauty of fine movement decoration and the exceptional level of craftsmanship that resides within the Manufacture.

The front dial is entirely skeletonised, revealing the full complexity of the minute repeater mechanism and presenting a mesmerising display of moving parts when the minute repeater is activated. Beneath a large bow-shaped bridge that sweeps from 11 o’clock to 7 o’clock, the components appear almost to be floating in three dimensions, the sense of visual depth and transparency enhanced by faceted indexes that are cantilevered from the chemin de fer minutes track. With a gleaming golden finish, the bridge, hour markers, gongs and several other components perfectly match the colour of the rose-gold watch case.

While the exuberance of the front dial contrasts with the rectilinear geometry of the Reverso case, the relative sobriety of the reverse dial echoes and amplifies those straight lines. Vertical Côtes de Genève stripes extend over the entire height of the main plate, which also serves as the dial. Showcasing the timekeeping mechanism, with subtle colour accents provided by blued screws and golden hands and hour markers, the cool silver tone of the metal provides an elegant counterpoint to the warm rose gold of the case.

Set into the side of the watch case, the slider that activates the chimes has been specially designed for the new Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater to be as slim as possible, without sacrificing ergonomics. Visually complementing the Art Deco lines of the case, the effect is one of great refinement.

In showcasing both technical complexity and the aesthetic crafts, the Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater underlines the eternal modernity of the Reverso design, marrying the technical prowess of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre to its eternal quest for new forms of visual expression.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO TRIBUTE MINUTE REPEATER

Case material: Pink Gold

Case dimensions: 51.1 x 31 mm

Case thickness: 11.41 mm

Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 944, manually wound

Functions: Hours and Minutes on two dials, minute repeater

Power reserve: 35 hours

Water resistance: 30 m

Strap: Brown alligator

Limited edition of 10 pieces

A unique and timeless expression of the Art Deco movement, the legend of the Reverso began on the polo fields of India, where the idea of a case that could be flipped over was born. With its revolutionary design and immaculate craftsmanship, the Reverso was immediately embraced by trendsetters from all walks of life, quickly transcending its original purpose. Deftly combining form and function, it is one of the most recognisable watches in the world.

The “Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931” exhibition is an opportunity to explore the cultural and creative universe of this design icon, through an immersive sensory experience that embraces a pop-up boutique, a fascinating retrospective, an Art Deco café and a hands-on workshop. Featuring a specially commissioned art installation by the American artist Michael Murphy, and a selection of famous Reverso watches, from the earliest time-only models to the new Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185, this original concept tells the story of Reverso through four key themes.

The Reverso, in four chapters – and a new art commission

The journey begins with the Story of an Icon, retelling the tale of the Reverso’s origins through rarely seen archive materials and heritage documents from the Jaeger-LeCoultre collection, as well as a selection of milestone Reverso watches, from the first 1931 model to the latest Reverso Tribute piece. A specially commissioned film transports the viewer inside the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, tracing each step in the creation of a Reverso through the words of the artisans and watchmakers themselves.

The Story of Style & Design looks at the Reverso watch from an aesthetic perspective. A quintessential example of Art Deco design, the rectangular shape of the reversible case is accentuated by clean lines and elegant curves; its dimensions determined by the rules of the golden ratio. To illustrate the stylistic evolution of the Reverso, examples for men and women are presented, each embodying its distinctive style in bold and often unexpected ways.

A Story of Innovation highlights the insatiable spirit of invention that characterises the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture. The Reverso was the result of a brilliant idea that took shape in the hands of French engineer René-Alfred Chauvot, whose design was submitted to the Paris patent office on 4 March 1931. Since the 1990s, the legendary Art Deco watch has welcomed emblematic complications, including the first rectangular minute repeater, the retrograde chronograph and the Gyrotourbillon, as well as the double-dial Duoface and Duetto models. Enhanced over the years by new materials and numerous interpretations, this technical creativity has culminated in the extraordinary four-face Reverso Quadriptyque in 2021.

The Story of Craftsmanship pays tribute to the engravers, gem-setters, enamellers and guillochage masters of the Manufacture, revealing how they have unleashed the full potential of the Reverso as a canvas for artistic expression and personalised messages. From historic timepieces, such as those belonging to Amelia Earhart and General Douglas MacArthur, to modern-day High Jewellery and miniature-painted models, these pieces provide 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.

A special highlight of the exhibition, the Spacetime art installation makes its European debut in Paris. Commissioned by Jaeger-LeCoultre from the American artist Michael Murphy to coincide with the 90th year of Reverso, it transports visitors through the three physical dimensions of space and the fourth dimension of time. Viewing the installation is a bewitching and multifaceted experience that, in the words of the artist: “explodes into myriad elements that tell the story of the Reverso Tribute Nonantième and its inner workings”.

The 1931 Café

Before or after the exhibition, visitors can enjoy a delicious break at the 1931 Café, an elegant and welcoming Art Deco setting. The elegant black and white décor, reminiscent of the 1930s, is a feast for the eyes, while a special menu created by the young Parisian pastry chef Nina Métayer will delight the taste buds. Designed to evoke the aesthetic codes of Art Deco, these exceptional sweet treats are an invitation to travel through the aromas and flavours of the Vallée de Joux: mountain berries, nuts, honey, herbs and chocolate.

The Atelier d’Antoine

To complete the exhibition, the Atelier d’Antoine – named after the Manufacture’s founder – has been specially relocated to Paris, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a unique, hands-on adventure with the Reverso. Together with a watchmaker and instructor, this workshop combines interactive theoretical learning with practical training.

The “Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931” exhibition and the 1931 Café will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 21 October to 24 December at 15 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8^th arrondissement of Paris. The exhibition is free to the public, but booking is recommended at www.exposition-reverso.com

Audio guides are available for the exhibition. 

The Atelier d’Antoine workshops can be accessed for a fee (pre-reservation at www.exposition-reverso.com or with the following QR code)

Atelier d’Antoine offers watch enthusiasts – connoisseurs and novices alike – an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of fine watchmaking. The Discovery Workshops provide a rare chance to explore this world through a blend of academic education and hands-on experience, focused on a particular theme. With classes limited to a maximum of eight participants, each Workshop is led by an instructor and a technical expert from the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. Participants have the option of deepening their knowledge by combining a Discovery Workshop with a guided Manufacture Visit focused on the same theme – a rare opportunity to explore the heart of a fully integrated watchmaking Manufacture. Named after Antoine LeCoultre, the founder of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Atelier d’Antoine is based in the heart of the Manufacture, in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux.

Exploring the inside story of the Reverso

The newly created Reverso Discovery Workshop will explore how the Art Deco style of the watch, as well as the technical ingenuity of its unique swivelling case, were born naturally from the social and cultural milieu of 1930, when the idea was first conceived. The workshop will trace the evolution of the Reverso through the decades, not only as a canvas for personalisation and artistic expression, but also as a home to high-watchmaking complications and further technical innovations. Participants will dive deep into the Reverso archives, viewing the original patent document, design sketches, and other rarely seen materials. The workshop concludes with a unique opportunity, as each participant takes on the challenge of assembling a Reverso case – a task normally entrusted exclusively to the artisans of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. Guided by an expert from the Manufacture and bringing together no fewer than 50 components to create a finished case, it will be a fascinating test of participants’ dexterity and patience.

During the Reverso Manufacture Visit, participants will observe, at close quarters, the different stages involved in the fabrication of a Reverso and the specific technical and creative skills required to produce it. From the first moment of transforming raw metal into movement blanks and case parts, participants will follow the process through the decorative finishing of the technical components to the assembly of the entire movement, case and dial, and the final casing up of the watch. They will also discover several high complication movements that have been specially created for the Reverso, and visit the Atelier des Métiers Rares® (Artistic Crafts Workshop), where enamellers, engravers and gem-setters transform classical Reverso cases into miniature works of art.

The new Atelier d’Antoine programme will be an unforgettable experience for those wishing to learn more about what goes into creating a modern Reverso watch, as well as the fascinating story of how its singular design and unique characteristics have led to its recognition as a watchmaking icon.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has created an online booking platform – https://online-booking.jaeger-lecoultre.com/– where visitors can discover more about Atelier d’Antoine and the opportunities it offers, and can book all experiences directly. Online booking will be available for the Atelier d’Antoine Reverso programme from September.

As a canvas for artistic expression, the double-sided case of the Reverso is unique in watchmaking, providing an opportunity for the artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atelier des Métiers Rares® (Rare Handcrafts™ workshop) to unleash their skills in the decorative arts.

For the Reverso One Cordonnet Jewellery, La Grande Maison unites the talents of its gem-setters with its mastery of watchmaking complications, bringing a new and exuberantly feminine expression of glamour to the Reverso collection.

Jaeger-LeCoultre featured the cordonnet bracelet (the word means ‘fine braid’) on several women’s watches during the 1930s. This simple black cord – the ‘little black dress’ of watch bracelets – epitomised the refined elegance of the Art Deco period, and perhaps never more so than when paired with the Reverso for the first time, in 1933.

For 2021, the Reverso One Cordonnet Jewellery reinterprets this exquisite pairing in radiant style, transforming the simple cord bracelet into a supple braid of gold and diamonds and uniting it with a fully diamond-set Duetto case.

Designed especially for women, the double-sided Duetto offers two dials, each with a different expression of the time. The ingenuity of the movement – the manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 844 – lies in its ability to turn the hands simultaneously in opposite directions on each dial.

The front dial of the Reverso One Cordonnet Jewellery is constructed of multiple layers: fine golden Arabic numerals are applied to a white mother-of-pearl base and framed by diamond-set brackets; in the centre, framed by a fine filet of gold, a geometric cut-out reveals a glittering field of pavé-set diamonds. The reverse-side dial offers a rich contrast: set onto a background of onyx, diamond-set golden ‘sunbeams’ radiate out from the centre to form the hour markers.

The entire case and bracelet attachment, the bracelet itself and both dials are fully set with diamonds, while the winding crown is adorned with a reverse-set diamond. (1,104 diamonds for a total of 7.84 carats). For the case, Jaeger-LeCoultre chose the grain-setting technique, whereby the diamonds are held in place by beads of gold so tiny that they are almost invisible, keeping the stones very close together, so that the watch case appears to be encrusted in a solid mass of diamonds.

Conceived as an ode to 21st-Century femininity, the new Reverso One Cordonnet Jewellery attests to the horological savoir-faire, artistic craftsmanship and jewellery-making skills of La Grande Maison, while paying homage to the women who inspire Jaeger-LeCoultre every day.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO ONE CORDONNET JEWELLERY

Case material: pink gold fully set with diamonds

Case dimensions: 36.3 x 18mm

Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 844 – manually wound with 38-hour power reserve

Functions: Hours and minutes (indicating the same time on both dials)

Front dial: Mother-of-pearl, diamonds, applied numerals

Back dial: Onyx, diamond-set indexes

Bracelet: Pink gold fully set with diamonds

Diamonds: 1,104 diamonds for 7.84 carats

Reference: Q3372301

The design of the Reverso had unexpected benefit. While its blank metal flip side had begun as a purely functional solution to avoid damage to the dial, it was an ideal surface for personalisation with monograms, emblems or personal messages using lacquer, engraving or enamel. The owner can keep this decoration as a personal, hidden treasure or flip the case over so that its back becomes the front.

Among the examples from the 1930s in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s museum collection is a Reverso decorated with the emblem of the British Racing Drivers Club, a piece with the Eton College coat of arms, and a 1935 Reverso that commemorates the record-setting flight from Mexico City to New York by the aviator, Amelia Earhart. In India, the Maharajah of Karputala commissioned 50 Reverso watches, with a miniature-painted portrait of his wife reproduced on the caseback in enamel. Although these pieces are all believed lost, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a similar Reverso in its collection, dating from 1936, with a portrait of another Indian beauty, thought to be Kanchan Prabha Devi, Maharani of Tripura State.

From the mid-20th century onwards, as changing tastes rejected ornamentation in all areas of design, the traditional artistic crafts such as enamelling, miniature painting and guillochage began to disappear – the skills dying out along with the older generation of artisans. Fortunately, the revival of mechanical watchmaking in the 1990s, sparked a renewed interest in these crafts before they were lost forever.

In 1996, the Maison released its first timepieces to be decorated with grand feu enamel in modern times. Crafted by Miklos Merczel, a former watchmaker at Jaeger-leCoultre who established the Manufacture’s in-house enamelling studio, the set of four Reverso watches each bore a perfectly reproduced miniature of a work by the Art Nouveau master, Alphonse Mucha. Enamelling became a signature of the Reverso collection and, to this day, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of the very few Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling atelier.

The Manufacture’s enamellers were joined by engravers, gem-setters and guillochage masters – all of them eventually brought together in one vast studio in 2016, with the establishment of the Atelier des Métiers Rares®. As the full potential of the Reverso as a canvas for artistic expression became apparent, these artists created increasingly elaborate and spectacular embellishments. High Jewellery models have featured invisibly set baguette diamonds over the entire case; the cordonnet bracelet has been reinterpreted entirely in diamonds; and casebacks have been transformed into glittering expanses of snow-set diamonds. As the most recent releases of artistic Reverso models suggest, the creative possibilities have almost no limits.

This is an exchange that Jaeger-LeCoultre has embraced throughout the Manufacture’s history. Coinciding with 90 years of the Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates this ongoing cultural exchange with an exquisite new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepiece.

Kirifuri Waterfall (Kirifuri-no-taki)

Uniting European craftsmanship with Japanese art, the reverse side of the case celebrates Eastern art with an enamel miniature painting that faithfully reproduces a woodblock print of Kirifuri Waterfall made by Katsushika Hokusai in the early 1830s. Kirifuri Waterfall is taken from A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces, a series of eight woodblock prints depicting waterfalls that the artist visited between 1831 and 1833 in different regions of Japan’s main island, Honshu.

Embodying La Grande Maison’s creativity and its vision of the world of art and culture, the new timepiece is testament to the talent and skill of the artisans working in the Métiers Rares® (Rare Handcrafts) atelier within the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

In a carefully orchestrated process beginning with the case back, the decoration of this timepiece presented many challenges that were particular to this work of art. First among those challenges was to reproduce a work measuring 37 x 24.5 cm onto a surface little more than one-tenth the size of the original – capturing every detail in perfect scale, including the group of tiny human figures at the base of the waterfall.

To express the power and beauty of the water as it cascades 100 metres down the mountainside Hokusai used a greater sense of perspective and bolder colours for Kirifuri Waterfall than in his previous work. The enameller had not only to mimic this perfectly but also to create the illusion of the woodblock printing technique, which produces a specific effect entirely different from enamelling. A particular challenge is that multi-coloured prints require the use of multiple woodblocks, with each different colour applied in turn – and there was the added challenge of reproducing the bokashi effect of subtly nuanced and graduated colours seen in the original. To achieve these illusions, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s master enameller had to develop her own technique.

The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute dial – with its faceted appliqué hour-markers and Dauphine hands – places full value on the beauty of its decoration. An artistic response to the miniature painting on the case back, this dial is decorated with an unusual, wavy guilloché pattern chosen to echo the effect of moving water. Executed by hand, using a century-old lathe for which a special cam was tooled to achieve this particular pattern, the visual effect of the waves is amplified by layers of translucent grand feu enamel in a soft shade of green that exactly matches a detail of the painting on the reverse side.

Following multiple firings to build up the enamel layers, the final challenge is the faultless application of the indexes (which requires tiny holes to be drilled through the pristine surface of the enamel) and the transfer of the chemin de fer minutes register.

As with all enamelling, the firing process can change colours in unpredictable ways, so for both the back and the front of the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai, many hours of research and experiment were required in order that the dial colour would perfectly match the painting on the reverse, and that the painting would give a faithful rendering of Hokusai’s original colours. In addition to these hours of research, almost five working hours must be dedicated to the guillochage alone, followed by eight working hours for the layers of translucent green enamel. More than 70 working hours are required only to paint the miniature masterpiece on the case back.

ABOUT HOKUSAI

The Japanese artist best known in the West, Hokusai (c.1760–1849) was a highly prolific illustrator, printmaker and ukiyo-e artist. His fame was secured when he was in his eighties, by his monumental woodblock print series Thirty-Six Views of Mount FujiI, which includes The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), one of the world’s best-known works of art. (Jaeger-LeCoultre honoured that work by reproducing it as a miniature enamel painting on a limited-edition Reverso in 2018.)

Thanks to a craze for ukiyo-e painting, which depicted the hedonistic lifestyle of the merchant class in Edo Japan (1600–1868), woodblock printing flourished from the 17th to 19th Century, as a means of reproducing those paintings. Innovative in his composition and use of colour, Hokusai was instrumental in transforming ukiyo-e from a style of portraiture into a broader genre that included landscapes, plants and animals. As a consequence of his fame, ukiyo-e and woodblock prints became central to forming the West's perception of Japanese art.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL

Case: White gold

Dimensions: 45.5 mm x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm

Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822, manually wound

Functions: Hours, minutes

Power reserve: 42 hours

Dial: Guilloché and Grand Feu enamel

Case back: Grand Feu enamel miniature painting

Water resistance: 3 bar

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q39334T2 - Limited edition of 10 pieces

Inspired by the distinctive canvas-and-leather boots made by Casa Fagliano for summer polo, the new straps marry canvas with soft calf leather in a choice of four seasonal shades: sandy beige, light tan, pale blue and mid-grey. Designed by Casa Fagliano exclusively for the Reverso, the straps are offered in two sizes, to fit all models from the Reverso Classic Medium, Reverso Classic Large and Reverso Tribute collections.

As well as the signature leather details that immediately distinguish the Fagliano design, the straps are lined with supple calf to ensure greater comfort on the wrist. They are fitted with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s interchangeable system that enables owners to switch their straps with the greatest of ease, whenever they wish to change their mood or style.

When one of world’s finest polo bootmakers joins forces with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture, the result is the very pinnacle of craftsmanship. A family business running since 1892, Casa Fagliano works a soft and supple leather known for its great strength, following techniques handed down by long tradition.

The Grande Maison and the renowned bootmakers have a great number of values in common. Their two realms share a respect for expert craftsmanship, meticulous detailing, a passion for the product, and the pursuit of perfection.

In 2011, this deep connection led Jaeger-LeCoultre to its first collaboration with Casa Fagliano. Since then, the Fagliano artisans crafted a series of straps for various Reverso limited edition watches.

The new summer straps extend this collaboration, further enhancing the character of the Reverso and offering owners new choices to fit the changing seasons. Along with the opportunity to personalise their Reverso caseback with a motif of their choice, owners will have yet another way to express their personal style.

The summer straps will be available from June 2021 at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques or online through the Strap Finder on jaeger-lecoultre.com.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Material: Canvas and calf leather

Size: Lug width 19/18 and 20/18

(to fit Reverso Classic Medium and Large, and Reverso Tribute models)

Changeability: Quick change system

As the launch of the Reverso Soixantième in 1991 coincided with the rebirth of mechanical watchmaking that followed the quartz crisis, the Reverso embraced its potential to be much more than a time-only watch. It became the vehicle through which the Manufacture would redevelop its expertise in high complications, despite the added challenge that rectangular movements dictate an entirely different architecture from that of the round movements that had traditionally been used for complications.

Calibre 824, developed especially for the Reverso Soixantième, incorporated a date indicated by a central hand and a power reserve indicator. This was followed in 1993 by the Reverso Tourbillon – the Manufacture’s first wristwatch tourbillon. Then came the Reverso Répétition Minutes in 1994, the first time Jaeger-LeCoultre had miniaturised a minute repeater for a wristwatch, Calibre 943 was the world’s first rectangular minute repeater movement. In 1996, La Grande Maison introduced the Reverso Chronographe Rétrograde, with an intricate display on the reverse side that solved the problem of how to arrange the chronograph counters within a rectangular frame. This was followed two years later by the Reverso Géographique and, coinciding with the Millennium, the Reverso Quantième Perpétuel. Naturally, these pink-gold limited-edition pieces are highly sought-after by collectors.

In the years since the Millennium, innovation has continued. Developed for the Reverso Septantième and released in 2002, Calibre 879 provided an 8-day power reserve – very rare at the time. Five years later, the Reverso Grande Complication à Triptyque introduced Calibre 175: a single movement incorporating 18 different functions, including civil time, sidereal time and a perpetual calendar, displayed on three dials – the third dial being set into the carrier plate of the watch. The Reverso has also housed Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unique bi-axial flying tourbillon, first in the Reverso Gyrotourbillon of 2008 and again in the 2016 Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon. And in 2012, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau, in which the chiming mechanism is activated by the movement of a pair of theatre-style curtains as they reveal and conceal the dial.

From its genesis, through 90 years of evolution and countless variations, the Reverso has continually reinvented itself without ever compromising its identity. Versatile and ageless, a chameleon that changes yet remains unchanged, it has become one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.

But it is more than simply a watch. The Reverso has rightly become recognised as an icon of 20th-century design, in the true meaning of the term.

For 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces a new interpretation of one its most admired models, the Reverso Duetto Medium, fitted with an automatic mechanical movement.

Distinguished, like all Reverso models, by the strength and purity of line of the original Art Deco design, and identified by the three straight-line gadroons that define both the upper and lower edges of the case, the new Reverso Duetto Medium introduces fresh colours and new aesthetic refinement to the collection.

A Story of Two Dials

The flip-over case of the Reverso – originally designed with a solid metal caseback that would protect the glass of the watch when it was worn to play sports – took on a new life in the 1990s, with the introduction of a second dial. Following the success of the Reverso Duoface, which displays a second time zone on its reverse, the double dial concept was reconceived with the Reverso Duetto. Each dial offers a distinctly different aesthetic expression of the same time – classically elegant on the front and more exuberant on the reverse – with two sets of hands animated by a single movement.

On the light-coloured front dial, a central rectangle decorated with deeply etched sunray guilloché pattern is framed by a chemin de fer minute track. Surrounding this, the clean-lined applied Arabic numerals stand out against a smooth background, adding greater visual depth and complexity. On the darker-coloured reverse dial, a sunray-brushed central circle is defined by a fine golden or steel ring (to match the case material), from which deeply etched guillochage radiates in a sunray pattern, accented by fine golden or steel bands that mark the hours.

Subtly refined details distinguish the new Automatic model from its hand-wound counterparts: on the reverse-side dial only the numeral ‘12’ is marked, and a small aperture at the centre reveals the oscillating mass. The self-winding movement is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufacture Calibre 968A, with a 38-hour power reserve. Adding further richness, the gadroons on the upper and lower edges of the case are now defined by row of grain-set diamonds on both the front and reverse faces.

The new Reverso Duetto Medium in steel has a reverse dial in glowing sapphire blue – a beautiful contrast with the frosted finish on the number ’12’ and the cool tone of the polished steel, and a perfect match for the blue hands on the front dial and the shiny alligator strap. The pink gold model has a glossy black lacquer reverse dial, while the soft white of the front dial is complemented by golden baton hands to match the numerals and the pink gold case. To reinforce this tonal harmony, Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced its signature shiny taupe alligator strap to the Reverso collection for the first time.
 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO DUETTO MEDIUM (STEEL)

Case Material: Steel

Case dimensions: 40 x 24 mm

Thickness: 9.5 mm

Movement: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 968A

Functions: Hours and minutes on both dials

Power reserve: 38 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Diamonds: 60 diamonds (0.84 carats)

Strap: Blue alligator

Reference: Q2578480

REVERSO DUETTO MEDIUM (PINK GOLD)

Case Material: Pink gold

Case dimensions: 40 x 24 mm

Thickness: 9.5 mm

Movement: Automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 968A

Functions: Hours and minutes on both dials

Power reserve: 38 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Diamonds: 60 diamonds (0.84 carats)

Strap: Taupe alligator

Reference: Q2572570

The installation, titled Spacetime, further expands the cultural and creative universe of the Manufacture by exploring the relationship between the three physical dimensions of space, and the fourth dimension of time. Following its debut in China at Watches & Wonders Shanghai on April 14^th, Spacetime will be exhibited in key cities around the world over the course of the year.

THE ANAMORPHOSIS

Michael Murphy’s main body of work emphasises perspective: his installations require the viewer to change position in order to fully appreciate them. Fusing classical art-making techniques with digital processes and manual skills, he has invented an entirely new formula for rendering two-dimensional images as suspended, three-dimensional mobiles. These anamorphic installations comprise a multitude of objects hanging at various heights and distances. Depending on the viewer’s line of sight, they appear to change form: from a seemingly random and chaotic jumble of shapes they coalesce into a highly organised and recognisable image. Thus, the viewer experiences a perceptual shift, breaking down the barrier between the art medium itself and the subjective experience.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Michael Murphy. His artistic installation requires extreme precision, a value that we share at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Our watchmakers throw their heart and soul into every ingenious sketch, every oscillation of the balance wheel, every escapement wheel - always pushing the boundaries of precision." says Catherine Rénier, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre.

For this new work, the Maison has collaborated with an artist whose work is often based on images of instantly recognisable cultural icons. “The Reverso has this iconic graphic identity and that's the type of content that I often work with,” says Michael Murphy.

The timepiece chosen to be represented through Spacetime is the newly released Reverso Tribute Nonantième, which expresses the time in an entirely different manner on each of its faces. The artist immediately saw a parallel between this new Reverso and his anamorphic works, many of which have two distinct sides, showing two entirely different images when viewed from different positions.

“My Reverso design explodes into an array of parts that tell a story about the watch and how it works,” explains Murphy. “I dissected it into all of its working components and composed them in a way that creates two different photographic illusions, one renders the front of the watch and one the reverse.”

The shape of each of the artwork’s 69 components resembles a familiar part of a watch. However, each is photo-printed with different fragments of movement and dial components. These parts appear exactly as in the watch only when they are lined up perfectly, as the viewer walks around the installation.

PARALLELS WITH WATCHMAKING

Beyond the obvious connection to the Reverso, Murphy’s work has many parallels with watchmaking, especially the need for extreme precision. “We create these artworks that are made of a lot of suspended objects that have to line up with one another in three dimensions and we deal with just one millimetre tolerance,” says the artist. “For us, working on a piece more than 12 feet [3.6m] tall, one millimetre adds a real level of complexity. The precision of watchmaking is something we can really relate to.”

As with the development of a new watch calibre, Murphy’s art requires an intense level of planning. It is a highly complex process involving 75 steps that must be taken in the right sequence, beginning with the mapping of exactly where in the three dimensions each component must be, in order to create an image that the viewer can understand. As in a watch movement, if one tiny element is off, the entire work is off.

“SPACETIME” INSTALLATION

The title of the new work, Spacetime, came naturally to an artist who has always been fascinated by the relationship between space and time. In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional manifold.

“I’ve always thought of my installations as having four dimensions,” Murphy explains. “I create these artworks that are illusions of flat images that float in three dimensional space [with] the length, the width, and the height. And then the experiencing of the piece happens over time. That's the fourth dimension of the work.”

The collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre has fulfilled a desire, long held by the artist, to make a time piece – in the literal sense. “Time is an essential component to all of my work – the fourth dimension. But I have always been fascinated by the aesthetic of internal watch parts and their precision and have always wanted to make a time piece – a piece that is about time.”

For the viewer, Michael Murphy’s Spacetime captures the beauty and precision of time-keeping and time-making in a new and uniquely fascinating way.

Discover the Augmented Reality of the installation

ABOUT MICHAEL MURPHY

Michael Murphy (b. 1975) is an American artist best known for his unique style of art-making, which he calls Perceptual Art. He describes his technique, which emphasises the viewer’s perception, as “illusions of images rendered in three dimensional space”. In his early career, Murphy created commissioned works while teaching art in universities, and since 2013, he has devoted his time exclusively to creating art. Among Murphy’s most notable works are Gun Country and The Immigrant – which invite people to reflect on important social issues – his portraits of Barack Obama, and several works created for Michael Jordan and Nike. The artist lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. His portfolio can be viewed online at perceptualart.com.

ABOUT THE REVERSO

In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a timepiece that was destined to become a classic of 20th-century design: the Reverso. Created to withstand the rigours of polo matches, its sleek, Art Deco lines and unique reversible case make it one of the most immediately recognisable watches of all time. Through nine decades the Reverso has continually reinvented itself without ever compromising its identity: it has housed more than 50 different calibres, while its blank metal flip side has become a canvas for creative expression, decorated with enamel, engravings or gemstones. Today, 90 years after the Reverso was born, it continues to epitomise the spirit of modernity that inspired its creation.

In 1991, 60 years after the Reverso’s creation, Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the Reverso Soixantième. With power reserve and date displays, it was the first Reverso with complications and the first with a sapphire crystal caseback, providing a window onto the mechanical treasure within. Although the Reverso case and its shaped movement had not initially been designed for complications, the Soixantième revealed its full potential, unleashing a sequence of pieces that gave new visual expression to the great watchmaking complications.

In 2021, nine decades after the Reverso was born, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the latest episode in this story: the Reverso Tribute Nonantième, which gives a completely new visual expression to an alliance of several classical complications.

Reverso Writes a New Chapter in the Story of Complications

The launch of the Soixantième in 1991 had coincided with the rebirth of complicated watchmaking that followed the quartz crisis. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s long and distinguished history as a creator of high complications provided its engineers and designers with an exceptionally rich archive from which to learn, and develop new calibres. Nevertheless, the Manufacture’s goal of creating six new Reverso models within the decade, each incorporating one of the great classical complications, was very ambitious – not least, given the particular challenges posed by rectangular movements, which dictate a different architecture from that of round movements.

The Soixantième was followed in 1993 by the Reverso Tourbillon – the Manufacture’s first wristwatch tourbillon. In 1994, Jaeger-LeCoultre released the Reverso Répétition Minutes, the first time the Maison had miniaturised a minute repeater for a wristwatch, and the world’s first rectangular minute repeater movement. In 1996, La Grande Maison introduced the Reverso Chronographe Rétrograde, with an intricate display on the reverse side that solved the problem of how to arrange the chronograph counters within a rectangular frame. This was followed two years later by the Reverso Géographique and, coinciding with the Millennium, the Reverso Quantième Perpétuel.

In 2001, Jaeger-LeCoultre marked the completion of another decade in the Reverso story with the Septantième. Its movement, Calibre 879, offered an 8-day power reserve – almost unheard-of at the time. And now, nine decades after the Reverso was born, La Grande Maison introduces a new alliance of complications.

The Reverso Tribute Nonantième

The front dial of the Nonantième exudes refinement and elegance. The pink gold case with its signature gadroons frames a silvered, sunray-brushed dial with applied golden indexes and Dauphine hands. In the lower half of the dial, a moonphase display is set within the circle formed by the small seconds counter. Beneath 12 o’clock is a large date display, framed by an applied filet of pink gold that echoes the rectangular shape of the dial and case.

The classically elegant aesthetic of the front dial gives no hint of the surprise concealed on the reverse side of the watch. Flipping the case over reveals an entirely new visual expression of some of watchmaking’s most familiar complications. Dramatic and captivating, it is unlike anything seen on a Reverso before.

The solid pink-gold caseback is dominated by two round apertures of different sizes, arranged like a figure-eight and encircled by gadroons that echo the rectilinear gadroons on the upper and lower edges of the case. The small upper aperture displays a semi-jumping digital hour indication. Seen for the first time in a Reverso, this complication recalls digital displays developed by the Manufacture for wristwatches in the 1930s.

In the large aperture below the hour, minutes are displayed on a rotating disc that is partially concealed by a three-quarter plate lacquered in vivid blue – in the Atelier des Métiers Rares® – and sprinkled with tiny golden stars to depict the night sky. Within a small circle at the centre, an applied golden sun and moon, pass above a horizon, to indicate night and day. In the semi-circle below the horizon, a JL logo is set on a sunray-pattern background.

As is the case for all complicated Reverso models, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s engineers developed an entirely new, manually wound movement for the Nonantième, Calibre 826. Comprising 230 components and showing the same time on both faces of the watch, it offers a power reserve of 42 hours.

The Reverso Tribute Nonantième is offered in a limited edition of 190 pieces, available exclusively at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REVERSO TRIBUTE NONANTIEME

Case material: Pink gold

Case dimensions: 49.4 x 29.9 mm

Thickness: 11.72 mm

Movement: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 826

Functions:

Front display: Hours, minutes, small seconds. Grande Date. Moon phases

Back display: Digital semi-jumping hour, minutes on a disc. Night-day indication

Power reserve: 42 hours

Water resistance: 30 metres

Strap: Black alligator

Reference: Q711252J