Official sponsor of the 121st Argentine Polo Open of Palermo
That was the challenge set by British colonial army officers based in India that plunged Jaeger-LeCoultre into the world of polo. In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a watch whose reversible case made it possible to protect the dial and the glass by exposing only the metal back to possible impacts. The Reverso was born. The purity of its Art Deco-inspired lines as well as the refined nature of its case, providing a dedicated space for personalisation, have made it an iconic watch well beyond polo fields the world over.
Since the birth of the Reverso in 1931, the ties uniting Jaeger-LeCoultre and polo have been consistently strengthened. Jaeger-LeCoultre has associated its name with the biggest international events and particularly in Argentina, where the brand has been supporting players and their teams through benefit gala dinners and charity polo events for more than ten years. Relationships established with player such as Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Luke Tomlinson and Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, all longstanding Jaeger-LeCoultre ambassadors, are living proof of the values Jaeger-LeCoultre shares with the world of polo.
Jaeger-LeCoultre strengthens its presence at the 121st Argentine Polo Open of Palermo
“Jaeger-LeCoultre is historically and symbolically connected with the world of polo. Robust and sturdy, yet slim and elegant, our emblematic Reverso is a watch that reflects the qualities of players and their mounts. With a single movement of the hand, just as the rider asks his horse to turn round on the field, the dial turns to make space for its solid back. It provides the assurance of finishing the match without damaging the watch movement, as well as providing a space for personalisation such as an engraving in tribute to a success on the field, for example. Jaeger-LeCoultre has nurtured its strong ties with the Polo, and we are very proud of being both sponsor and official timekeeper for the Open of Palermo, which brings together the best players in the world.” Daniel Riedo, CEO, Jaeger-LeCoultre.
During the three-week competition, the eight best teams in the world challenge each other on the field. From November 15th to December 6th 2014, polo aficionados will be able to follow the results of Eduardo Novillo Astrada (handicap 9) and his team, La Aguada Las Monjitas. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ambassador will once again be taking part in the competition alongside Lucas James (handicap 8), Cristian Laprida (handicap 8) and Alejandro Novillo Astrada (handicap 8).
An area devoted to the universe of the Manufacture and to polo will welcome spectators during the various matches and Casa Fagliano will demonstrate its know-how in custom-made polo boot making. Established in Buenos Aires since 1892, this family business knows only one trade – leather – and is intimately acquainted with all its countless intricacies. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, Casa Fagliano has accepted to make hand-crafted straps for the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931. All stages in their production are subject to the strict tenets of an ancestral tradition in working with Cordovan leather, which is renowned for its hardwearing properties. Straps made by the Casa Fagliano stand out due to their elegant suppleness as well as the hand-crafted methods resulting in truly unique creations.
The Argentine Polo Open of Palermo: a prestigious tournament
Organised by the Argentine Polo Association (AAP), the Argentine Polo Open of Palermo is the world’s most prestigious polo tournament. Together with the Tortugas Country Club Open and the Hurlingham Open, the Argentine Polo Open of Palermo form the famous Argentine Triple Crown, one of the most spectacular and eagerly awaited fixtures on the annual polo calendar and reserved exclusively for teams with a 28 to 40-goal handicap.
The event created in 1893 was initially named the River Plate Polo Championship and acquired its definitive name in 1923 when the River Plate Polo Association became the Argentine Polo Association. Ever since, the Open of Palermo is held each year at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo, a Buenos Aires district popularly known as the “cathedral of polo”. The polo stadium can accommodate up to 16,000 spectators during the tournament, around the two grass playing fields providing an oasis of greenery amid the Buenos Aires skyscrapers.
Next up: Jaeger-LeCoultre announces that it will participate in the Gold Cup for the 2015 British Open Polo Championship
Jaeger-LeCoultre is confirming its commitment alongside the Cowdray Park Polo Club by becoming official sponsor of the Gold Cup for the 2015 British Open Polo Championship.
Since 2006, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been the official timekeeper for the Cowdray Club Polo Club, a club synonymous with tradition, and known for being the cradle of British polo.
Since 2012, the Brand has also been the official sponsor of six HPA tournaments that take place at the Cowdray Park Polo Club.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the 2015 British Open Polo Championship will start on June 23rd with the final taking place on Sunday July 19th 2015.
