SIHH 2016, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the 85th anniversary of the Reverso

Year 2016 is a milestone for Jaeger-LeCoultre : it marks to the 85th anniversary of the emblematic Reverso watch. At this important occasion, the manufacture has subtly redesigned its iconic timepiece and reorganized the collection into three lines. Beginning of the festivities planned at the SIHH in Geneva with many new models, some of which were unveiled in preview.

Jaeger-LeCoultre loves to nurture the imagination and infuse expertise with boldness. The Reverso watch embodies this quest for the unexpected. A natural, intuitive touch swivels the case to disclose unsuspected treasures.

On this iconic model, the back is the front… As such, it serves as the ideal place for personalisation by showcasing Rare Crafts such as engraving, gemsetting or enamelling in order to meet the whole spectrum of desires from the simplest to the most sophisticated. On the Reverso Duetto and Duo models, the second dial becomes a territory in which to express the horological expertise of the Maison and its unbridled creativity.

Since 1931, the year the Reverso watch was created, its emotional impact has remained as powerful as ever. This undisputed style icon elicits the same wonderment decade after decade. The strength of its pure, almost discreet lines makes the Reverso timepiece the epitome of elegance.

“To mark its 85th birthday, we wished to offer a new vision of the Reverso, so that each individual can immediately recognise the collection that matches their own character and the model destined to become theirs. It was about respectfully evolving this legendary watch while bearing certain key prerequisites in mind: preserving the nature of this exceptional watch that is a concentrated blend of the wealth of talent within our Manufacture, as well as safeguarding its elegance and its contemporary spirit; clarifying the collections by instating three stylistic expressions – Reverso Classic, Reverso Tribute and Reverso One – with their own distinct worlds and aspirations; structuring the classic sizes by offering three small, medium and large options; introducing an automatic movement on a number of models in the Reverso Classic line to ensure genuine user friendliness; and, finally, inviting each of you to imagine your own watch via the Atelier Reverso. Such was our mission, of which we are now delighted and proud to unveil the results.” Daniel Riedo, CEO Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Reverso Classic COLLECTION

The Reverso Classic watch has acquired iconic status that sets it apart while exuding a reassuringly seductive appeal. It is like a beloved face upon which one has gazed a thousand times, yet never tires of contemplating. Its Art Deco inspiration, its geometrical case, its gadroons, its straight Arabic numerals, along with its minute track, all make light of passing years and fleeting fashions. Immune from whims and impervious to fluctuations, the Reverso Classic timepiece draws its strength from the ideal relative proportions of the length and width of its case, corresponding to the Golden Ratio theory developed by ancient philosophers and mathematicians.

Available in small, medium and large sizes, the Reverso Classic models are a natural part of both men’s and women’s wardrobes. More than mere accessories, they add signature touches to personal charisma and self-confidence. The subtly reworked lugs are slimmer and flow more smoothly over the wrist. The circular-grained motif on the carrier adds a subtle touch of refinement. The black and white front dial shared by all models in the Reverso Classic collection is subtly textured, with a guilloché centre and a vertical-brushed exterior.

Above and beyond details that pay tribute to its classic identity codes, the Reverso features authentic technical content. This is expressed through the choice of fitting a mechanical automatic movement in most models of the Reverso Classic collection, thereby meeting the demand for functionality and user friendliness. While the Reverso is generally associated with a mechanical manually-wound movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre revels in cultivating a taste for challenges and has always striven to reconcile apparent opposites. This includes combining horological complications with simple modes of operation, as well as uniting utility with beauty. Developing an automatic movement tailored to the confines of the rectangular Reverso dial called upon the full range of talents within the Manufacture.

Reverso Classic
The back of the Reverso Classic timepiece available in steel and in three different sizes provides the perfect space on which to give free rein to the imagination, such as through an engraving. One simple movement enables it to reveal what individuals wish to say about themselves, unless of course they prefer to keep it discreetly hidden inside the carrier.

Reverso Classic Large Duo
The unexpected can also take the form of a dial indicating a second timezone on the steel or pink gold Classic Large Duo watch. Capitalising on the principle of reversibility, the Manufacture has developed and crafted movements capable of driving indications displayed on two separate dials. This invention remains to date entirely exclusive to the Grande Maison.

A day/night indicator appears at 6 o’clock on the brushed, guilloché front dial, while the black dial on the back, bearing large stamped hour-markers and graced with “clous de Paris” hobnail finishing, displays “home time” instead of the traditional 12 o’clock numeral. The Jaeger-LeCoultre anchor symbol dominates this sunburst composition that makes a striking contrast with the linear nature of the front side. The second dial also springs another surprise by revealing in its centre the discreet yet tangible presence of the free-swinging oscillating weight.

Reverso Classic Duetto
It is made to be admired, worn and made your own. Crafted in pink gold or steel, it flatters every wrist in its two sizes: small and medium. With its two back and front dials and a double set of hands driven by a single movement, it radiates an enduringly seductive elegance. On the back, the deep black dial features an Art Deco style enhanced by two rows of diamonds that flirt with the night hours.

The Reverso Classic is appreciated for its enduring qualities that make their way through time with constantly renewed elegance. They convey the close attention paid by the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre to those who place their trust in its creative excellence.

Reverso Tribute COLLECTION

The inspiration behind the Reverso Tribute flows from the very heart of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmaking expertise. Witness the Reverso Grande Complication watches: the Tourbillon and the Gyrotourbillon®, the latter belonging to the Hybris Mechanica® collection that vividly reflects the inventiveness of the Maison.

This collection is clearly intended for a public of connoisseurs with a discerning vision of both its horological content and its aesthetic. Its different faces are inspired by original models that are an integral part of the Jaeger-LeCoultre heritage. They caused a sensation when they were launched and have consistently inspired the Manufacture ever since. The “1931” spirit gives a vintage touch of a resolutely daring kind, since the watches of that period boldly flaunted chocolate brown, blue or even red dials that have become great favourites among collectors.

Alongside its generosity in terms of complications and innovations, the Reverso Tribute watch also stands out through the ideal proportions of its case, its colourful, lightly textured fine-grained dials, its Dauphine-type hands, its hand-applied hour-markers, as well as the ultimate touch of refinement conveyed through its sunray-finish carrier.

Driven by mechanical manually-wound movements, all Reverso Tribute models feature the Duo concept of two independent faces complete with a day/night indicator. A discreet trigger system serving to adjust the second timezone is seamlessly integrated into the case at 6 o’clock so as to preserve its smooth aesthetic lines.

Reverso Tribute Duo
The Reverso Tribute Duo radiates a discreet yet distinctive presence. It adopts a decidedly contemporary attitude with its steel case and blue hour-markers. Its intermediate size expresses a sophisticated aesthetic. Its front dial is slightly grained to achieve the subtle depth effect immediately recognised by connoisseurs. It is enlivened by a distinctive small seconds display. Swivelling the case reveals another dial, embodying a more daring facet of its personality. The colour blue chimes with the identity codes of the Reverso, setting a different tempo that is both richer and stronger.

Reverso Tribute Calendar
The more complex Reverso Tribute Calendar watch provides a perfectly balanced representation of the Manufacture’s expertise. On one side it displays a traditional function, a complete calendar, and on the other the exclusive Reverso Duo function. The graphic narrative on the front exudes intense sophistication epitomised in the hammered moon-phase display. This captivating moon-phase is echoed in perfect symmetry on the back with an opulently staged day/night indicator. It is topped with a tiny triangle enabling easy reading. Anthracite predominates on the guilloché dial with its “clous de Paris” hobnail finish, making a perfect match with the elegant pink gold of the case. Connoisseurs are bound to single out this Reverso Tribute Calendar watch driven by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 853.

Each Reverso model is entrusted with the same mission: to embody a form of watchmaking wisdom that cultivates a penchant for intrinsic beauty, for subtle equilibrium and for thoughtful reflection. Reverso Classic and Tribute watches are all imbued with the intriguing theme chosen for 2016. When the unexpected meets razor-sharp technical and aesthetic content; when surprise effects become enmeshed with the very nature of time, it is clearly time to revel in the chance to be astonished.