Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled the new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds.

Soon after its launch in 1931, the Reverso went beyond its original role as a polo watch and became a favorite of fashionistas around the world. At a time when white and silver dials were the norm, bold variations featuring colored dials were introduced. The vibrant colors contrasting with the metal case added richness to the Reverso's symmetrical, clean design.

Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues its color story by presenting the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in four variations with sunray-brushed dials. In a newly redesigned pink gold case, the black dial, paying homage to the black dial of the original 1931 model, creates a dramatic contrast with the polished metal. The lacquered burgundy dial enhances the luxury of the luminous pink gold. Reminiscent of the silver dial of the original Reverso, the silver dial enhances the brilliance of the luminous gold with understated elegance. The black and burgundy dials are available with two additional Fagliano Collection straps: one featuring a distinctive canvas and calfskin combination, and the other in calfskin. The silver dial comes with both the Fagliano Collection canvas and calfskin strap and an interchangeable black alligator strap. Also new for 2023, the silver opaline dial with black nickel-plated hands and indexes adds a dynamic and contemporary touch to the Reverso Tribute's stainless steel case.


New Ultra-Thin Pink Gold Case

Pink Gold/Burgundy

The pink gold case of the Reverso Tribute was significantly improved in 2023. At just 7.56 mm, it is almost 1 mm thinner than its predecessor, offering the utmost in refinement and sophistication.

The rectangular case, characterized by its supreme elegance, remains a relative rarity in watchmaking. Round cases have been the norm since the early days of mechanical timekeeping. This convention arose naturally from the circular shape of sundials and the "circular" movement of watch hands, which in turn led to circular watch mechanisms. The reversing case was conceived for the first Reverso, launched in 1931, and required straight lines to function. Furthermore, the rectangular case shape perfectly follows the natural curve of the wrist, making it highly ergonomic and ideal for the polo player for whom it was originally designed. After perfecting the case design, Jaeger-LeCoultre expanded on the rectangular principle, creating a movement specifically for the Reverso, shaped to match the case's contours.

Pink gold/black

Due to its sliding mechanism, the Reverso case is one of the most complex in watchmaking. This significantly increased the challenge of slimming down the case of the new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds. The case, made up of more than 50 components (around 40 of which are for the unidirectional movement), is entirely crafted and assembled by the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre's team of experts.

Simple Elegance – The Reverso Tribute Dial
The creation of a sunray dial is an intricate and delicate process. First, the dial's bare metal is galvanized to impart a metallic shine and protect the brass underneath from oxidation. Next, a thin metal brush is used to create a sunray pattern on the surface, with very fine lines intersecting precisely in the dial's center. This results in a unique shift in hue as light strikes the dial from different angles. Finally, the dial is lacquered. The surface is varnished and polished to create a soft glow that enhances the subtle texture of the sunray finish.

In the case of colored dials, lacquering is a complex craft requiring great skill. Four layers of colored lacquer are applied to achieve the desired color intensity and hue. This is followed by 20 layers of translucent lacquer, which add visual depth and permanently fix the color. Each layer is applied by hand, and each must dry under ideal heat and humidity conditions before proceeding to the next step. Finally, a vibrant varnish is applied, then a mirror-perfect polish is applied by hand, deepening the color and adding depth.

The new 2023 dial incorporates all of the iconic design elements of the Reverso Tribute: applied bar indices instead of numerals for the hour markers, and a double index at 12 o'clock. Its faceted form complements the shape of the dauphine hands, adding further depth to the dial's surface. In the lower half of the dial, a circular small seconds track contrasts with the linear design of the dial and case. Echoing the sunray-brushed finish of the dial, flipping the case over reveals a dynamic sunray-brushed pattern on the inside of the carrier.

True to Reverso tradition, the metal of the flipping case provides a perfect canvas for personalization. Watch owners can choose to keep this personalization hidden for their own enjoyment, or flip the case over to reveal it.


Pink gold/silver

Reconnecting the Reverso to its roots
Jaeger-LeCoultre's collaboration with Casa Fagliano, renowned in the world of polo for its luxury handcrafted boots, reconnects the Reverso to its roots in the world of polo. Each pink gold Reverso Tribute Small Second model comes with a set of two straps. Complementing the new dial in a color, the straps are crafted in Fagliano's iconic design from canvas and calfskin or calfskin. Emphasizing the timeless modernity of the Reverso's design, the straps bring a unified, beautiful, and powerful look. They feature a pin buckle for quick and easy strap changes.

Calibre822 – Emblematic of Jaeger-LeCoultre's philosophy of perfection
The Reverso Tribute Small Second is powered by the Calibre 822, a hand-wound mechanical movement. This acclaimed, elegant mechanical movement, with 108 components, offers a 42-hour power reserve. Like all Jaeger-LeCoultre calibers, its components are meticulously finished and decorated, even if they are hidden beneath the metal caseback.

Designed exclusively for the Reverso, every element of Caliber 822 is entirely produced and assembled in the Manufacture. In keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre's philosophy of product perfection, the movement must complement the shape of the case - an approach established in the Manufacture's early days - the caliber's architecture is tonneau-shaped to match the rectangular shape of the Reverso case.