In the early 1930s, when polo players at last had a watch
suited to the practice of their sport thanks to its brilliant reversible case,
elegant gentlemen also made their move on this new invention. Always on the
lookout for new trends, they were quick to discover the beauty of a timepiece
originally designed to enable British colonial army officers to compete in polo
matches without the risk of breaking the then vulnerable glass of their watch.
Within a few years of its birth, the Reverso was already widely appreciated by
a broad audience including watchmaking fans won over by the technical feat involved
in the swivel case, as well as sports lovers and aesthetes.
The origins of a legend
Over the years, the Reverso has appeared in a number of
different guises and been enriched with various unusual sizes and new
horological complications – all the while remaining loyal to the spirit of the
watch with two faces. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of this timepiece
that has become a cult objet, Jaeger-LeCoultre chose to return to the very
origins of a legend by presenting the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to
1931, directly inspired by the aesthetic codes of the historical model. This
creation, distinguished by an ultra-thin case, contemporary dimensions and
remarkably faithfulness to the original, was enthusiastically received by
devotees of the Reverso and by watch connoisseurs who expressed the wish that
this vintage edition should not remain a one-off model. In response to their
desires, the Manufacture already introduced the Grande Reverso Rouge with a
deep red dial in 2012, followed the next year by the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin
Duoface Blue. For 2014, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveils the third member of this
splendid trilogy: the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 with a chocolate-toned dial.
The new model, entirely in keeping with its historical
ascendance, vividly evokes the finest hours of Art Deco. Its shapes, its colour
and its materials are the ultimate expression of a movement that heralded the
inception of industrial design while favouring hand craftsmanship executed to perfection.
Entranced by this delightful colour palette, the eye naturally lingers on the
pleasing contrasts between the glowing chocolate shade of the watch face and
the pink gold of the case, including the traditional gadroons framing the dial.
This irresistible association is further underscored by the judicious
reinterpretation of the aesthetic principles governing the original.
Apart from the 12 o’clock numeral, the hours are shown by baton-shaped
hour-markers, while the hour and minute hands feature a dagger-type profile.
The small seconds at 6 o’clock perform a once a minute rotation on the
dedicated rectangular subdial. This picture of pure, restrained refinement
would not be complete without a mention of the “REVERSO” inscription exactly
reproducing that appearing on the historical model. Everything might seem to
have been said, and yet it is only now that the distinctive emotional ties uniting
an owner and his Reverso can begin to be woven.
Ultra-thin case
Gaining a full appreciation of the elegance radiated by this
timepiece means dragging the gaze from the dial in order to admire the profile
of the watch. Its close embrace of the wrist is made possible by its extremely
slender 7.3 mm case which incorporates the complex parts of the swivelling
mechanism as well as a movement measuring just 2.95mm thin. The resistance and reliability
of Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2 testify to the expertise cultivated within
the Manufacture.
A new strap by Casa Fagliano
The usual chestnut brown alligator leather strap with pink
gold pin buckle is just one of the options proposed by the Grande Maison in the
Vallée de Joux for securing the Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 to the wrist. Polo
players, who have been wild about the Reverso for over 80 years, are no less
demanding when it comes to choosing the pair of boots they will wear to compete
in various prestigious tournaments. They show no hesitation in confidently
striding through the doors of Casa Fagliano, established since 1892 in the worldwide
polo capital, Buenos Aires. For well over a century, the Fagliano family has
been dedicated to a single craft of which it masters all the mysteries and
intricacies: fine leatherwork. The descendants of the company founder continue
to share the many duties involved in an authentic family-style division of
labour.
Their creations are keenly sought-after by the best polo
players who simply could not imagine playing a match without their favourite
boots. For the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, Casa Fagliano has agreed to
produce hand-crafted straps in successive stages following the strict principles
of time-honoured tradition in working with cordovan leather, which is renowned
for its exceptional resistance. Delivered along with each watch, the strap made
in the Casa Fagliano workshops is distinguished by its elegant suppleness and
hand-made mode of production that makes it truly one of a kind. The Manufacture
Jaeger-LeCoultre is proud of this partnership that further strengthens the ties
between polo and the Reverso.
Over eight decades since its birth, aesthetes will be more
delighted than ever to welcome the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931, which
combines passion and prodigious expertise with the legendary quality
characterising all timepieces bearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature.
Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931
Movement: Mechanical manually-wound movement,
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand; 21,600
vibrations per hour; 19 jewels; Thickness: 2.95 mm; 45-hour power reserve
Functions: Hour, minute, small seconds
Dial: Chocolate dial with powdered numerals and hour-markers
Hands: Baton-type, facetted, gold plated
Case: 18-carat pink gold; height: 46.8 mm; width: 27.4 mm; thickness:
7.3 mm; Polished finish; Sapphire crystals; “1000 Hours Control” indication appearing on
the case-back; Water-resistant to 3 bars
Straps and buckle: Matt brown alligator leather 20/18; 2nd
strap: in cordovan leather, crafted by “Casa Fagliano” of Buenos Aires; pin
buckle in 18 carat pink gold
Reference: Q2782560
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