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I ntroduced in 1931, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso emerged as a solution to a practical challenge faced by polo players in India. Swiss businessman César de Trey, inspired by the need for a robust watch that could withstand the rigours of polo, collaborated with Jacques-David LeCoultre to design a revolutionary timepiece. French engineer René-Alfred Chauvot devised the ingenious slide-and-flip mechanism. The result, an Art Deco-inspired watch with a reversible case that protected the dial against the rigors of polo, while offering a customizable case back. The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso quickly became an icon of style and functionality, capturing the spirit of the era.
After World War II, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso's popularity waned as round watches dominated trends. However, its revival began in the 1970s when Giorgio Corvo, an Italian watch dealer, acquired unused Reverso cases and successfully reintroduced the model. By 1985, Jaeger LeCoultre modernized the Reverso with water resistance and increasingly sophisticated mechanisms, paving the way for its resurgence. Over the decades, the JLC Reverso evolved to incorporate complications, dual-faced dials, and innovative designs. Examples include the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Duoface in 1994 and the groundbreaking Reverso Grande Complication a Triptyque in 2006.
Today, the Reverso stands as a timeless testament to Jaeger LeCoultre’s mastery of craftsmanship and innovation. From limited-edition tributes to highly complex pieces like the Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 Quadriptyque, the JLC Reverso continues to honor its legacy while pushing the boundaries of high watchmaking. As it nears its centennial, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso remains an enduring symbol of elegance, functionality, and artistic ingenuity.
Sotheby’s global network of Jaeger LeCoultre specialists have brought many Reverso watches to market over the years. Join us as we explore a selection of extraordinary examples from the Sotheby’s archive.
This Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 Reference 233.64.20 sold for 120,650 EUR in March 2024.
The launch of the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 was timed to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso. At its heart is the Calibre 174, an evolution of the Caliber 177 found in the Gyrotourbillon 1. It debuted a cylindrical balance spring and double axis spherical tourbillon with outer carriage travelling at 60 seconds per revolution.
Constructed of lightweight aluminum and titanium, and comprising no less than 90 individual parts it weighed a third of a gram. The case was constructed in platinum with a locking mechanism on the case flank. The result was astonishing and imposing, with the open-work layout allowing the carriage movement to be admired from any angle through the semi skeletonized dial. The hand wound movement was visible throughout, with the power reserve indicator on the reverse.
Made in a limited series of 75 examples, the above lot was numbered 31 of 75. The watch was presented on behalf of a very important collector in superb condition, accompanied by its full set of accessories.
This Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Grande Complication à Triptyque Reference 241.6.65 sold for 693,000 HKD in October 2021.
The Reverso Grande Complication à Triptyque overturns any existing conventions, as only the master watchmaker's reversible watch could offer three dials on a single timepiece. After more than four years of research and development, this watch came to actualization. With its three dimensions of time expressed on three dials, this watch rose to the challenge Jaeger LeCoultre set for itself, that of uniting civil time, sidereal time and perpetual time within the legendary swivel case. This Jaeger LeCoultre watch comprised a staggering 18 complications in total.
The above watch was number 9 from a limited series of 75 pieces, with all original accessories, in like new condition.
This Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Répétition Minutes Reference 270.2.73 sold for 352,800 HKD in April 2022, significantly outperforming its high estimate of 180,000 HKD.
With a compelling 23 part swiveling-case mechanism, this Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Répétition Minutes comprised an impressive synchronous minute repeater mechanism with elegant, sleek housing.
In a limited edition of 500 pieces, the silvered engine-turned dial was finished with a glazed aperture, which allowed the wearer to admire the striking mechanism regulator in motion. Finished in a pink-gold case, this Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso embodied all that we come to expect from a Jaeger LeCoultre watch: elegance, technical mastery and understated opulence.
This Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso ‘Four Seasons’ Reference 276.1.62 sold for 300,000 HKD in July 2020.
Jaeger LeCoultre’s introduced the Four Seasons Reverso collection circa 1996, as a stunning tribute to the passage of time, beautifully capturing the essence of nature's cyclical changes through innovative watchmaking. A conclusion of the four seasons, the winter timepiece is represented by a bashful maiden in a green cape. The stunning enamel dial and enamel painted portrait within this Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso rendered it an incredibly unique piece, taking notes from historical Chinese portraiture and calligraphy. This Jaeger LeCoultre watch was housed in a yellow gold case, and limited to an edition of 25 pieces.
This Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Reference 270.6.48 sold for 239,400 HKD in April 2023.
Rising to the challenge of surpassing conventions of the sports watch, Jaeger LeCoulture integrated monometallic balance, a shock absorber, and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring into this platinum Jaeger LeCoultre watch. The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso was introduced in a limited edition of 500 pieces during 2003. This impressive piece featured a visible one minute tourbillon and a power reserve indicator.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso remains an icon of horological design, seamlessly blending innovation, artistry, and history. From its origins as a solution for polo players to its evolution into a revered icon of haute horlogerie, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso has captured the hearts of watch collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Sotheby’s has been active in bringing extraordinary examples of the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso to market, offering collectors access to some of the most exquisite and historically significant pieces ever crafted by the grande maison.
At Sotheby’s our Jaeger LeCoultre experts have brought a wide range of extraordinary examples to market, making us well placed to advise on the sale of a Jaeger LeCoultre watch or for those looking to add a watch to their collection. Work with Sotheby's specialists and in doing so be part of our community of passionate watch enthusiasts and collectors.
Trust our worldwide network of leading Jaeger LeCoultre specialists from a globally renowned auction house with a 280 year history.
