The Versatile Reverso: A Closer Look At Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Icon

By Martin Green October 31, 2016

Who could have ever thought that when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso in 1931 it would become such an intricate part of watch making history? Today it is hard to imagine the watch world, or Jaeger-LeCoultre’s collection for that matter, without this icon. But what is perhaps even more extraordinary is the incredible versatility that the Reverso has shown during its life, fueled by the passion of the designers and watchmakers in Le Sentier. From elegant ultra-slim versions to unique complications, the Reverso case can handle it all.

A different angle on complications

A great example of a very complex Reverso is the Tribute Gyrotourbillon 2. Its platinum case houses a bi-axial flying tourbillon that highlights a unique aspect of the Reverso case. By swiveling the case around, it allows you to admire this unique complication from various different angles, even when it is on your wrist. Both sides feature a dial that can be set independently from each other, making the Tribute Gyrotourbillon 2 a dual time-zone watch.

The double dial

Utilizing both sides of the case has become a hallmark of the Reverso. The Reverso Tribute Calendar features on one side a very classical full calendar, which includes day, date, month and a moon phase. Swivel the case around and you have a second-time-zone with a day-night indicator. By giving the dials a different color, Jaeger-LeCoultre achieves that you feel that you have in fact two different watches around your wrist.

Turning the case back into art

Yet even when Jaeger-LeCoultre doesn’t use the back to display additional complications or show you the inner workings of the movement, there are still multiple options to make it far from bare. Engraving the owner’s initials has always been a popular one, but also diamond settings or even miniature paintings in grand feu enamel, like displayed above, are possible.

85, yet still young of heart

At the 85th birthday of the Reverso Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to focus on the versatility of the model, by introducing “Atelier Reverso”. Here you can pick from seven base models, and customize them with any of the 49 different dials and 800 different straps. Of course, the case back customization options are only limited by your own imagination. This allows you to make this icon of the watch world truly you own.

Save