The British Empire’s time in India can be interpreted in many ways but removing politics from the conversation, wonderful stories are to be found from this fabled country. One of our favourite origin stories is that of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. A point of note is that all mechanical watch movements require rubies to function properly, and though modern synthetic versions can be created, these precious stones are an inherent part of watchmaking. When the World Wars ravaged Europe, supply to these stones became scarce but given Cartier’s relationship with the Raj’s of India; supply of Rubies was made possible.
Who made the movements for early Cartier watches? None other than Jaeger-LeCoultre…the story only intrigues further.
British Officer’s playing Polo found they needed a solution to the glasses continuously breaking on their watches in action. A request for a solution other than to take the timepiece off was met with the creation of a reversible watch face. Given the mechanics required, the design was automatically fulfilled in a rectangular case, which later cemented the Reverso as an Art Deco icon!
Over the years, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has evolved in terms of complications on offer such as second timezones and even chronographs but the fundamental DNA of the case remains unchanged.
Today, the Reverso covers all the bases of ladies, unisex and masculine designs. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One collections marries the design cues of early ladies Reverso’s with modern technology, using the both faces for moonphases and pretty dial layouts. The Reverso One is ultimately more delicate and longer than the archetypal Reverso model.
The classic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso family holds the traditional Reverso models. From ladies size in both quartz and mechanically hand wound styles, the collection then rises to unisex sizes with monoface models offering a plain caseback perfect for a secret message or engraving. Stepping up from this comes the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface, the current standalone model with second timezone facility in this series; obviously hand wound with contrasting dials.
The top rung of the modern Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso collection is the Reverso Tribute housing coloured dials and clever complications, from simple greens and burgundy to blue dials with second time zone features – the Reverso Tribute brings historically significant design cues and colours into the publics reach!
Jaeger-LeCoultre recognises the importance in providing enthusiasts and newcomers with a gateway into their wonderful watches! Often high luxury Brands either price out new collectors or the product becomes too scarce to be accessible. The Grande Maison is exactly that, covering every base from simple hand wound Reverso to wildly complicated Perpetual Calendars with Westminister Chimes. The important part being Jaeger-LeCoultre provide a stepping stone into not just their history but with the Reverso, an important part of watchmaking lore.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a pillar of most important collections. Book your appointment today to visit us in-store to discover the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso models for yourself, immerse yourself in the rich history of the Brand in our peaceful location on London’s famous Marylebone High Street.
Buying into luxury timepieces is not an inexpensive hobby, we now offer a comprehensive Finance facility, offering up to four years Interest Free Credit – feel free to contact us to discover more.