Ever since watches became miniaturized, portable, and worn as timepieces, women have played a pivotal role in defining the aesthetics of time and how we wear it. Driven by the pioneering spirit of its founder, LeCoultre & Cie recognized the endless design and technical possibilities of watches that could also be worn as jewelry or accessories, and early on in the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Maison began producing watches for both men and women. Combining the arts of watchmaking and jewelry, Jaeger-LeCoultre has continued to combine sophisticated technical expertise, creative design, and aesthetic beauty in its constant evolution.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
Originally conceived for gentlemen polo players, the Reverso was designed for feminine shapes shortly after its launch in 1931, in an effort to express femininity in Fine Watchmaking. Among the many variations created were models that could be worn on cordonnet bracelets or transformed into brooches, handbag clips or pendants. In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes this creative legacy to the next level, presenting the Reverso Secret Necklace, a magnificent reinterpretation of the Reverso as a piece of High Jewelry.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
A timeless design reinterpreted as jewelry
Since 1931, the Reverso has never compromised on its core design elements, such as the horizontal gadroons that accentuate the linear shape of the case, and the triangular lugs that appear to extend seamlessly from the case sides. This distinctive, harmonious and highly functional case has led to the Reverso being regarded as an icon of 20th-century design. This faithful adherence to its design codes has given Jaeger-LeCoultre's designers great creative freedom to constantly reinterpret the watch's distinctive reversible case, without sacrificing its originality or integrity. The Reverso Secret Necklace transforms this design icon into a graceful, beautiful and feminine sautoir, or long necklace. The original black textile bracelet, or cordonné, found on Reverso models from the 1930s is reinterpreted as a supple chain of intricate diamond-set links and polished onyx beads, from which a magnificent gem-set Reverso is suspended. Two pendants with polished onyx charms add a touch of refined elegance to this elegant watch.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
High Jewelry watches have a long history of secret watches, featuring gem-set dial covers that allow the wearer to discreetly read the time. The Reverso's reversible case is a unique interpretation of this secret watch, which can be turned over to reveal its true identity as a watch. While originally designed for purely practical reasons, the blank metal caseback offered endless possibilities for decoration with precious stones, enamel, engraving, and more.
When worn with the caseback facing up, the Reverso Secret Necklace becomes a beautiful piece of Art Deco-inspired jewelry that remains undetectable until the wearer turns the case over. Alternatively, when worn with the dial facing up, it becomes a beautiful timepiece that conceals a private secret jewel. To others, the dial appears upside down, but the time remains natural when the watch is raised to eye level.
A Masterpiece of Jewelry Craft
Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the few watchmakers to have its own Métiers Rares® workshop, combining multiple crafts in one specialized studio within the Manufacture. This allows its diverse artisans to work closely together, exchanging ideas and sharing creative energy.
Evoking the Reverso's Art Deco origins, the pink gold caseback features an intricate, repeated geometric pattern of white diamonds and black onyx, contrasting with the warm metallic tones. A vertical, grain-set diamond pattern covers the convex surface of the case, framing the dial. Contrasting the opulence of the black onyx and pink gold, white diamonds are set in the signature brackets marking the dial's four corners and in its center. Each of the hundreds of tiny links that form the flexible chain is set with a diamond. Working with such minute details requires exceptional skill and dexterity, making it a painstaking process. The necklace clasp is crafted from polished onyx, pink gold, and diamonds, while the triangular sections that attach the cordonnet to the top and bottom of the case are also adorned with diamonds set in pink gold against a black onyx background. Featuring over 3,000 diamonds (approximately 20 carats), the setting of the Reverso Secret necklace required more than 300 hours of meticulous work.
The movement that powers the Reverso Secret necklace within its case is a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre's commitment to mechanical excellence. Comprised of 93 components entirely developed and manufactured in-house, the hand-wound Caliber 846 was created exclusively for the Reverso and is shaped to the contours of the rectangular case, in keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre's philosophy of perfection.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
The Reverso Secret necklace is an exceptional piece, combining High Jewellery, rare craftsmanship and the rarity and prestige of Fine Watchmaking.
Technical Specifications
Reverso Secret Necklace
Case: 18K pink gold
Watch dimensions: 36.78 x 18 mm, 9.51 mm thick
Necklace length: 80cm ring of onyx beads and diamond-set links. The length from clasp to tip of charm is 55cm
Caliber:Hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 846
Functions:Hours, minutes
Power reserve:38 hours
Dial:Black onyx and diamonds
Case back:Black onyx and diamonds
Diamonds:Up to 20 carats
Reference:Q3272301 – Limited Edition
About the Golden Ratio
The original Reverso design, created in 1931 at the height of the Art Deco artistic movement, is based on the Golden Ratio. Represented by the Greek letter φ (phi), a mystical number with an approximate value of 1.618, the Golden Ratio is universally considered to represent beauty and harmony. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is the most eloquent example of this principle in watchmaking. Over the past 90 years, many variations of the Reverso case have been introduced, but the original proportions remain the foundation of the collection, and the golden ratio continues to define the Reverso design today.
jaeger-lecoultre.com
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREOriginally conceived for gentlemen polo players, the Reverso was designed for feminine shapes shortly after its launch in 1931, in an effort to express femininity in Fine Watchmaking. Among the many variations created were models that could be worn on cordonnet bracelets or transformed into brooches, handbag clips or pendants. In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre takes this creative legacy to the next level, presenting the Reverso Secret Necklace, a magnificent reinterpretation of the Reverso as a piece of High Jewelry.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREA timeless design reinterpreted as jewelry
Since 1931, the Reverso has never compromised on its core design elements, such as the horizontal gadroons that accentuate the linear shape of the case, and the triangular lugs that appear to extend seamlessly from the case sides. This distinctive, harmonious and highly functional case has led to the Reverso being regarded as an icon of 20th-century design. This faithful adherence to its design codes has given Jaeger-LeCoultre's designers great creative freedom to constantly reinterpret the watch's distinctive reversible case, without sacrificing its originality or integrity. The Reverso Secret Necklace transforms this design icon into a graceful, beautiful and feminine sautoir, or long necklace. The original black textile bracelet, or cordonné, found on Reverso models from the 1930s is reinterpreted as a supple chain of intricate diamond-set links and polished onyx beads, from which a magnificent gem-set Reverso is suspended. Two pendants with polished onyx charms add a touch of refined elegance to this elegant watch.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREHigh Jewelry watches have a long history of secret watches, featuring gem-set dial covers that allow the wearer to discreetly read the time. The Reverso's reversible case is a unique interpretation of this secret watch, which can be turned over to reveal its true identity as a watch. While originally designed for purely practical reasons, the blank metal caseback offered endless possibilities for decoration with precious stones, enamel, engraving, and more.
When worn with the caseback facing up, the Reverso Secret Necklace becomes a beautiful piece of Art Deco-inspired jewelry that remains undetectable until the wearer turns the case over. Alternatively, when worn with the dial facing up, it becomes a beautiful timepiece that conceals a private secret jewel. To others, the dial appears upside down, but the time remains natural when the watch is raised to eye level.
A Masterpiece of Jewelry Craft
Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the few watchmakers to have its own Métiers Rares® workshop, combining multiple crafts in one specialized studio within the Manufacture. This allows its diverse artisans to work closely together, exchanging ideas and sharing creative energy.
Evoking the Reverso's Art Deco origins, the pink gold caseback features an intricate, repeated geometric pattern of white diamonds and black onyx, contrasting with the warm metallic tones. A vertical, grain-set diamond pattern covers the convex surface of the case, framing the dial. Contrasting the opulence of the black onyx and pink gold, white diamonds are set in the signature brackets marking the dial's four corners and in its center. Each of the hundreds of tiny links that form the flexible chain is set with a diamond. Working with such minute details requires exceptional skill and dexterity, making it a painstaking process. The necklace clasp is crafted from polished onyx, pink gold, and diamonds, while the triangular sections that attach the cordonnet to the top and bottom of the case are also adorned with diamonds set in pink gold against a black onyx background. Featuring over 3,000 diamonds (approximately 20 carats), the setting of the Reverso Secret necklace required more than 300 hours of meticulous work.
The movement that powers the Reverso Secret necklace within its case is a testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre's commitment to mechanical excellence. Comprised of 93 components entirely developed and manufactured in-house, the hand-wound Caliber 846 was created exclusively for the Reverso and is shaped to the contours of the rectangular case, in keeping with Jaeger-LeCoultre's philosophy of perfection.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREThe Reverso Secret necklace is an exceptional piece, combining High Jewellery, rare craftsmanship and the rarity and prestige of Fine Watchmaking.
Technical Specifications
Reverso Secret Necklace
Case: 18K pink gold
Watch dimensions: 36.78 x 18 mm, 9.51 mm thick
Necklace length: 80cm ring of onyx beads and diamond-set links. The length from clasp to tip of charm is 55cm
Caliber:Hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 846
Functions:Hours, minutes
Power reserve:38 hours
Dial:Black onyx and diamonds
Case back:Black onyx and diamonds
Diamonds:Up to 20 carats
Reference:Q3272301 – Limited Edition
About the Golden Ratio
The original Reverso design, created in 1931 at the height of the Art Deco artistic movement, is based on the Golden Ratio. Represented by the Greek letter φ (phi), a mystical number with an approximate value of 1.618, the Golden Ratio is universally considered to represent beauty and harmony. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is the most eloquent example of this principle in watchmaking. Over the past 90 years, many variations of the Reverso case have been introduced, but the original proportions remain the foundation of the collection, and the golden ratio continues to define the Reverso design today.
jaeger-lecoultre.com
