Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

Jacques-David LeCoultre and Edmond Jaeger – both innovative watchmakers – sought out to solve and an everyday problem for watch wearers of their era. During the 1930s, synthetic sapphire watch glass had not yet come into existence and watch crystal glass was doomed to shatter as soon as the wearer engaged in any dynamic activity. A friend of LeCoultre named César De Trey was watching British officers play a polo match while he was on a business trip in India. Trey was simply appalled by the number of broken watch glasses by the end of the match. He was approached by one of the players who held up his watch and challenged him to create a timepiece that could withstand the severities of the sport. Word got back to Jacques-David LeCoultre and consequently sparked the concept of the Reverso.

Entrusted in the design of the Reverso was engineer René-Alfred Chauvot. He created an ingeniously simple system in which the centrepiece of the clock could be rotated 180 degrees and flipped over so that the watch glass could then be protected. The revolutionary was filed with the Patent Office on March 4th, 1931 and soon became a coveted item among the British Army Officers in India. Thanks to its innovative design, the Reverso continued to gain popularity, eventually becoming a huge success. Not surprisingly, other watch manufacturers began to turn to Jaeger-LeCoultre with the request of creating a Reverso on their behalf.

Watch connoisseurs and collectors are still fascinated by the strict yet elegant Art Deco design of the Reverso. Furthermore, they appreciate the history and tradition engrained within the legendary timepiece.

The Reverso models captivate with a renowned-rectangular shape and timeless appearance. The Reverso’s claim to indestructibility holds true and the practicality of the timepiece is highly appreciated.

The current Reverso collection is divided into four categories: Classique, Joaillerie, Complication, and Squandra. The Reverso Classique (e.g. Ref. 2508412) testifies with a pure geometric form and a timeless yet contemporary design. The watch is available in different variants that convince with high-quality workmanship on the wrists of ladies and gentlemen.

The Reverso Duetto, Grande Reverso, and Reverso Squandra are available in countless versions. Each timepiece from the Reverso line impresses with first class quality and high technical standards. The men’s watch line is continuously equipped with a mechanical manufacture movement by Jaeger-LeCoultre while the ladies’ watches are fitted with either automatic, hand-wound, or quartz movements.

Throughout the long history of the Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre has continuously demonstrated their technical savoir-faire with the introduction of special editions. Ranging from moon phase displays to the Gyrotourbillon – there are nearly no complications that the Reverso has not experienced.

In the year 2006, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched its first Reverso Grande Complication à triptyque – an exquisite timepiece with three dials that are driven by the same movement. The Master Tourbillon and Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 (reference 2332420) further impressed in 2009 when they won the first two ranks in the International Chronometry Competition. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin pays tribute to the original model from 1931 yet fascinates with the flattest Reverso that has ever been produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The slender watch was produced in a stainless steel or limited edition 18k rose gold.

Elegant, practical and timeless, the restrained design of the Reverso provides for effortless functionality and easy readability. The colour coordinated watch strap is comprised of leather, stainless steel, or rose gold and convinces on the wrists of both men and women alike. New models continue to exude an understated design with a discreet Jaeger-LeCoultre logo on the back of the turned over dial.

Many celebrities have professed their support for the Reverso. A differentiating feature of the timepiece is the ability to place a personalised engraving with jewel embellishments or a dedication on the hidden case back of the watch. The timepiece can be considered an exquisite piece of art and can be spotted on the wrists of Adrien Brody, Pierce Brosnan and Leonardo DiCaprio. The French actress Julie Gayet has been captured wearing the Reverso Ultra Thin in rose gold. The famous Don Draper of Mad Men, a role played by Jon Hamm, wears the luxurious Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, which perfectly compliments his sleek 1960s style.

Functionality meets elegance in the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso that has continued to stay relevant, timeless, and classic in the world of luxury watches.