Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso - "Two Sides Life" of a watch

Among Jaeger-LeCoultre's classic collections, the Reverso has always been an elegant and unique presence. In its more than 80 years of existence, it has not been overshadowed by the passage of time, but has added an extra layer of historical mystery to its elegant and prestigious design.

In 1931, with the dust and hoof prints flying, a new concept was created with a watch back that could be flipped to the front to protect the dial from impacts and a personalised engraving on the case back. "To create a watch that could be used in polo matches" was the original idea of the Reverso Flip watch designers in 1931.

In 1930, when India was still a British Empire territory, the riders, mostly British non-commissioned officers in the Indian army, were engaged in a fierce polo match, determined to win. Polo, also known as the sport of 'kings and warriors', had flourished a century earlier in the far-flung island of Britain, and this sport, once popular only on the steppes of Central Asia, was infused with a full British flavour by His Majesty's soldiers. The competition was sometimes too fierce, and the wristwatches worn by the riders often bore the brunt of the action. How many riders' watches are spared from the violent bumps and jolts after a race?

A race had just ended that day. A sweaty, dusty officer led his horse towards a gentleman in civilian clothes on the edge of the track. His name was César de Trey, not a British citizen but a Swiss who had made his fortune in London dealing in dental products and then moved on to selling fine watches. The officer came up to him, holding a wristwatch, the glass of which had long since shattered. "Broken again," he cried in frustration.

Later that evening, at a reception organised by the club, the British officer, still reeling from the broken watch, approached Mr César de Trey again, who, as he knew, was a watchmaker. He asked Mr de Trey if he could design a watch reliable enough to stand up to the test of a polo match. It was no small challenge.

Perhaps out of an abundance of caution, the Swiss watchmaker chose to remain silent. Once back in Europe, however, he immediately made an appointment with a watchmaker he knew well: Mr Jacques-David LeCoultre.

Through discussions, they came up with the idea of a reversible case - a case that could be turned freely to protect the dial from impact when the metal case back was turned to the front.

On 4 March 1931, the French engineer Alfred Chauvot obtained a patent for a watch with a "slideable and reversible base".

As if in a film replay, the dialogue between the patent office clerk and the designer seems to echo in our ears.

"What is the name of your invention? "

"Reverso."

"What does the word Reverso mean?"

"Reversable, from the Latin. "

"Reverso, your patent is registered."

In November 1931, after purchasing the patent for the Reverso watch from Alfred Chevalier, César de Trey, together with Jacques-David LeCoultre, founded the watchmaking franchise. The Reverso was a huge success and a major part of Jaeger-LeCoultre's history.

In 1932, Jaeger-LeCoultre reverso watch was launched and soon became a huge success.

Born out of a fierce sport, the Reverso Flip became a symbol of elegance, an elegance that was instantly recognizable. Since the 1990s, although the size of the Reverso Flip has evolved year after year - from small and delicate for women to bold and bold for men - what has not changed is its inimitable quality, even if it has evolved from a rectangular case to a square shape. Cases in steel or gold in various colours, precious stones, dials in different layouts and colours, straps of all kinds: the Reverso is a unique and varied collection that brings out the best in creativity and subtle elegance.

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Source: www.xbiao.com/lecoultre/19625.html