Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso watch, originally designed in the 1930s as a practical tool for polo players in India, has evolved into one of the Swiss watchmaker’s most iconic timepieces. The original design allowed the dial to flip over, protecting it from damage during matches. Today, the Reverso is considered a classic dress watch and a canvas for some of the most intricate miniature paintings, engravings, and mechanical innovations in the watch industry.
The Reverso has continually evolved over the years, with Jaeger-LeCoultre constantly pushing the boundaries of design and mechanics. In March, CEO Jérôme Lambert referred to the Reverso as “an icon of its time.” One of the most groundbreaking versions was the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Quadryptique, which debuted with four sides, featuring mechanics on both dials of the flip-face, as well as the cradle and caseback. This was the first of its kind, and it remains one of the most complicated models ever created in the Reverso line.
In celebration of the Art Deco movement’s centennial, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled a series of new Reverso models at Watches & Wonders, which garnered significant attention. Some of the standout releases include:
- Reverso Hybris Artistica: One of the most complicated models in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s catalog, this watch features an impressive Gyrotourbillon, with an inner cage rotating 360 degrees every 16 seconds. The movement requires 123 components and hours of handwork. The Gyrotourbillon’s finishing alone involves 14 hours of hand-beveling. A limited edition of just 10 pieces, the new white-gold version showcases the fusion of art and mechanics, with hand-applied lacquer work.
- Reverso Tribute: A timepiece that cleverly displays mechanical complexity on both the dial side and the caseback. On the front, it boasts a hand-guilloched dial for a discreet look, while on the back, the Caliber 953 reveals seven patents, including innovations in crystal gongs and silence gap suppression. Only 30 of these will ever be produced.
In addition to these mechanical marvels, Jaeger-LeCoultre also drew inspiration from polo, one of the world’s oldest team sports, which originated in Persia in the 6th century B.C.E. The brand has released a limited series of Reverso timepieces that depict early polo scenes from the Shahnameh (The Persian Book of Kings). Each watch features intricate guillochage, grand feu enameling, paillonnage, and miniature enamel painting—an homage to centuries-old Persian craftsmanship. These designs are limited to just 10 pieces per iteration.
For Jaeger-LeCoultre, these new Reverso models are not only a nod to the past but a testament to the brand’s commitment to preserving time-honored watchmaking techniques while pushing the limits of innovation.
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