The Reverso is, in essence, one of the very first sports wristwatches.
Despite its refined and elegant appearance, it combined utility with a sleek Art Deco exterior that has become an icon of horological design. But in the case of the Reverso, looks deceive.
Though the model appears at first glance a dress watch, it owes its existence to the gentlemanly sport of polo. While touring India in the early 1930s, Swiss businessman César de Trey met a British polo player who'd just cracked the crystal of his watch on the field. De Trey returned to Switzerland with an idea already taken root in his head, which he then discussed with Jacques-David LeCoultre: What if a watch could be made with a case that could reverse?
The reversible case, masterminded by designer Alfred Chauvot, was Jaeger-LeCoultre's solution to the problems polo players faced on the field. Once reversed, the delicate components of the case were protected from the shocks sustained while on horseback. No more would polo players crack the crystals or damage the dials of their watches. Chauvot took out a patent for the Reverso in March 1931. Produced chiefly in steel, Jaeger-LeCoultre also released the Reverso in gold, and decorated the case back with engravings or even miniature portraits.
The particular Reverso we have here, a Reference 255.1.82, is a duoface model with the time on one side and a 60 minute flyback minute counter on the reverse side. Housed in a 39mm x 24mm 18K case with sapphire crystals, and a signed crown, it features a charming silver dial with Arabic indices, and guilloche engravings. Conversely, the reverse side is executed in black guilloche.
Powered by a manually-wound Calibre 862, it comes paired to a fresh, beautiful brown alligator leather strap with a signed gold deployant buckle.
In fantastic condition, this Reverso from the 2010s is one of the most unique, wearable executions of the famed model that we’ve had the pleasure to carry in recent years.
Check it out today!