Apart from the protective aspect of the flip case, what Chauvot accomplished is nothing short of a tour-de-force.
Take into consideration that the idea is fairly simple and the action happens in a few seconds when you click it
open, flip it around, and click it home again. Yet, the balance of the tactile and audible feedback is utterly
flawless and unseen in any other timepiece. It is addictive and infinitely satisfying.
True to its art deco aesthetics, the Reverso with its baton-shaped hands, dart-type indices, Arabic numerals and the
flip case with three decorative gadroons on top and bottom, turned out to be a runaway hit.
As originally conceived, it was the glass front that was meant to be protected. However, over the last nine decades,
the back of the Reverso has evolved from being a protective cover to the finest available blank canvas, upon which
the owner and artisan alike may demonstrate their appreciation and patronage of high craft.
Besides bespoke engravings and stunning enamelled designs, the Reverso’s flipping case has been enhanced with
numerous technical innovations over the years. Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the world’s first rectangular minute
repeater movement, Calibre 94, in the Reverso Répétition Minutes unveiled in 1994. Then came the Reverso Grande
Complication à Triptyque powered by Calibre 175—a single movement incorporating 18 different functions, including
civil time, sidereal time and a perpetual calendar, displayed on three dials – the third dial being set into the
carrier plate of the watch.
The Reverso has also housed Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unique bi-axial flying tourbillon, first seen in the Reverso
Gyrotourbillon of 2008 and then in the 2016 Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon. And this, the maison marked 90 years of
this icon with its most complicated version - the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Quadriptyque.
Conceptualised and designed over six years, the watch represents Jaeger-LeCoultre’s biggest strengths — its
impeccable design sensibilities and supreme technical prowess. Unlike most grand complications, the Reverso Hybris
Mechanica Quadriptyque with its captivating astronomical features doesn’t overwhelm you with a bogglingly busy dial.
It happens to be the world’s first wristwatch with four functioning display faces but all so cleverly packaged in a
51×31×15 mm case that you instantly want to play with it.
As the watch world celebrates 90 years of this sporty icon, we decided to add one of its most interesting iterations
to our shop this week. Made between 1998 and 2002, the Reverso Memory is a double-sided timepiece with a tilting
case in classic Reverso style.The white front face features Arabic numerals, sword-styled hands, and seconds display
at the 6 o'clock position. All three hands are blued and inlaid with luminous paint. The secondary dial is black and
features a white hand and minute track. While the front face showcases a classical three-hand watch, the reverse
side hosts a continuous 60-minute counter with a flyback feature that can be activated through a pusher at 4. This
device helps to easily time any event up to 60 minutes without a typical chronograph architecture and the mechanical
complexities that come with it.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Memory
The present example of the Reverso Memory at our shop is from 2009. Powered by JLC’s in-house Calibre 862, the watch
delivers a power reserve of 50 hours. As expected of all Reversos, this one too has a beautiful Art Deco look with a
well defined geometry enhanced by a medium-sized case (38x23mm) and contemporary finishing. Last but not the least,
the present example is covered under Watchfinder’s 24 months warranty, so you can rest assured the watch won’t give
you any trouble.
The Reverso is all things to all men – and women. It’s the epitome of Art Deco style, and yet not obnoxiously so. It
is at once a high-precision instrument and a diverting toy, capable of captivating its owner and all whom he or she
meets. No wonder that 90 years on, the love affair with the Reverso is as riotous as ever.
