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A story told in four parts, here's how the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso became one of the most iconic timepieces
There have been few timepieces that have enjoyed such popularity and longevity as the emblematic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the iconic collection, which is a celebration of form and function. Over the past 90 years, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has consistently reinvented itself with countless iterations that demonstrate the brand's ingenious watchmaking prowess, as well as its top-notch artistry. This begs the question—how did this timepiece attain this iconic status?
Read more: Here’s What Goes Into Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Watches, According to Design Director Lionel Favre
The History of an Icon
In 1930, entrepreneur César de Trey was travelling through India and noticed that many British army officers had picked up the game of polo. Desiring a wristwatch that could be worn on the polo fields without damaging the glass, Trey sought out Jacques-David LeCoultre and René-Alfred Chauvot to design and produce a wristwatch that would not be destroyed by the impact of the mallet. The solution by the intrepid watchmakers? A swivel case that allows the watch face to be flipped over.
Over a year later, a patent had been filed for Chauvot's design and the world saw its first swivelling case wristwatch created and sold. Dubbed the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, this timepiece was a beautiful amalgamation of form and function. Not only was it the most inventive watch for its time—a wristwatch capable of flipping the watchface inwards into its cradle to reveal a polished steel back—but it also proffered a design that was eternally modern.
It was an instant success, not just amongst polo players for its functionality, but also with tastemakers as it was a stylish piece of iconography that reflected the times with its Art Deco-infused elements.