Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

The Reverso is available in a number of versions for both men and women, ranging from simple, classic models with two or three hands to Duoface or Duetto versions with displays on both faces, to intricate watches with complications such as a tourbillon or a minute repeater. Somewhat cheaper, precise quartz versions are also available. You can select a stainless steel, pink gold, white gold, or platinum case and pair it with an ostrich, calfskin, or alligator leather strap.

The retro Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931, which Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced in 2011 in celebration of the timepiece's 80th anniversary, comes closest to the original 1930s model. Although the Reverso was originally designed for polo players, this 7-mm thin timepiece has become the perfect dress watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre was able to create such a thin watch thanks to their small, manual, in-house 822 movement. The dial is clean and simple with thin indices and no seconds hand. The 2011 model is available in stainless steel or 18-karat pink gold. Three horizontal grooves at the bottom of the reversible case give it an elegant look and emphasize the timepiece's Art Deco influences. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 is now also available with a small seconds at six o'clock.

You can purchase pre-owned models in very good condition starting around 6,000 euros, while new white or pink gold models with a small seconds cost around 11,000 euros. The Reverso Classic timepieces, which are available in different sizes and with a quartz, manual, or automatic caliber, are somewhat more affordable than these special retro models. The watches' simple design remains close to the original. New quartz models are available for around 3,400 euros, while their mechanical siblings are available for around 4,500 euros.

Since the 1990s, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been producing Reverso models with complications such as a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, or tourbillon, as well as chronograph versions. Tourbillon timepieces are Jaeger-LeCoultre's specialty; in 2004, they captivated the watch world with their spherical tourbillon, the gyrotourbillon.

Standard tourbillons have a balance rim, balance spring, and escapement placed together in a cage that makes one full rotation per minute. Abraham-Louis Breguet invented this mechanism in the early 19th century with the goal of compensating for pocket watch deviations caused by gravity. These deviations occurred because most men carried their pocket watches vertically in their vest pockets at the time.

Jaeger-LeCoultre improved upon the tourbillon with their gyrotourbillon. The gyrotourbillon's cage is enclosed in a second cage, creating a three-dimensional rotating complication. The complex mechanism increases precision by compensating for positional deviations. Jaeger-LeCoultre has already released three generations of this unique mechanism.

Reverso models with a gyrotourbillon are excellent examples of haute horologie. The cases are exclusively available in either gold or platinum. A new pink gold Reverso with a gyrotourbillon costs almost 250,000 euros; a platinum Reverso with a standard tourbillon is in the same price range.

The idea for the Reverso was born in 1930, when British colonial officers stationed in India approached the Swiss businessman César de Trey with a request: a wristwatch that could withstand a polo game. The officers often complained of the watch glass in their timepieces breaking during matches. De Trey began working on their request and approached Jaeger-LeCoultre. In 1931, the timepiece was ready to be sold. It featured a case that was completely reversible, making it easy to protect the front side dial. The Reverso was introduced to the market that same year and became a hit. Its name comes from the Latin word meaning "to turn around."