Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the Reverso’s 90th anniversary in 2021 and to kick off celebrations, the Le Sentier brand has unveiled a limited edition Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano in the brand’s proprietary Le Grand Rose gold case and a burgundy-red dial.
Arguably, their most famous creation, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso in 1931 at the height of Art-Deco period. The story is now part of watchmaking legend - polo players in British-ruled India needed a reversible case that would stay protected during the rigors of the game and the Swiss brand rose to create a timepiece that would suits the needs of these “sporting gentlemen”. It’s safe to say the watch has stood the test of time (pardon the pun); with its clean lines and flip-over case, it has become one of the world’s most recognizable watches.
The Duoface concept was introduced in 1994. It allows the Reverso to show time zones, one of each side of its reversible case and powered by the same hand-wound calibre 854A/2. The movement has a power reserve of 42 hours. The second time zone is adjusted via a small slider set into the top case-band and is invisible except when the case is released from the carriage to be flipped over. A sunray pattern on the inner surface of the carriage adds to the visual enjoyment of turning the watch over.
The case is 47 mm x 28.3 mm x 10.3 mm and is made, as mentioned before, in Le Grand Rose gold, a proprietary new alloy made by mixing palladium to rose gold that results in a more durable metal that holds up well against the elements and the vagaries of time. In keeping with the original design, the hours are indicated by dauphine hands against facetted indexes, doubled at 12, that serve as the perfect foil for the burgundy-red lacquered dial. The circular track of the small seconds display at six o’clock provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case.
The design of the reverse dial plays on the tension between circles and straight lines, anchored by contrasting decorative finishes. The stippled texture of Clous de Paris guillochage contrasts with the gleaming opaline finish of the central time display and the smaller circle that displays the day-night indication.
Inspired by the canvas-and-leather boots that it makes for summer polo, Casa Fagliano – the famed Argentine maker of polo boots - combined cordovan leather and canvas for the new strap. As always, each strap is handcrafted to the highest standards. The Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano is a limited edition of 190 pieces and is available at the brand’s boutiques only.
