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In Depth

A brief history of Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

The Watches of Switzerland Group | 2 minute read

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A watch with a British history

The Reverso was designed in 1931, at a time when many British soldiers in colonial India would spend their leisure time playing polo. As the oft-told tale goes, a player showed their smashed wristwatch to Swiss businessman César de Trey, who turned to Jacques-David LeCoultre, and challenged him to create a watch that could endure the knocks of the game. This resulted in the creation of the Reverso, with a geometric case that can swivel 180 degrees from back to front, protecting it from the action on the playing field. Almost 90 years later, the versatile Art Deco-style timepiece, with its clean lines and classic proportions, remains a firm favourite with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s many fans.

The Reverso was designed in 1931, when British army officers would play polo – its design protected it from the action

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Perfect timing

The perfect companion for any traveller, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Large Duoface Men’s Watch has two independent faces, allowing you to keep time in two time zones at once. With its sword-shaped, blued stainless steel hands, subtly redesigned hour numerals and iconic minute circle, the delicately grained, silvered front dial has a classic sense of style. In contrast, the dial on the reverse of the case makes a bold statement, with its Clous de Paris guilloche background, delicate hour markers and day/night indicator at 6 o’clock. Set within a 47×28.3mm stainless steel case, this high performance timepiece fastens with a sophisticated black alligator leather trap complete with deployment clasp. Powered by high precision, mechanical movement, this watch also provides a power reserve for up to 40 hours.

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The ladies Reverso

Although the Reverso is known for its unisex appeal, there is the quartz-powered, stainless steel 20mm x 40mm Reverso One, with its sparkling diamond embellishments and charming deep-blue hour and minute hands, that makes a particularly elegant ladies’ watch. Presented on a sophisticated matching steel bracelet, it’s water-resistant to 30m.

A pioneering watch brand

It might be surprising that Jaeger-LeCoultre was able to create a timepiece such as the Reverso in 1931, were it not for the fact that the horology house has been making innovative timepieces since 1833. Since then, it has created more than 1,200 calibres. Among them is the Grand Complication – one of the most complicated wristwatches ever made – as well as the world’s smallest-ever watch movement: the Calibre 101. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s focus when creating a timepiece is to achieve the perfect balance between technical sophistication and aesthetic finesse – and there’s no doubt that the unusual and exquisite Reverso styles more than meets this expectation.

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