From its earliest days, Jaeger-LeCoultre has embraced Asian motifs and incorporated Oriental decorative arts into the adorning of its exceptional timepieces, embracing and perpetuating the cultural exchange that has existed between Asia and Europe for nearly 2,000 years. In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates this tradition with two new Reverso Tribute timepieces adorned with enamel miniature reproductions of works by Katsushika Hokusai, Japan's most famous 19th-century ukiyo-e artist: "Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido" and "Yoshitsune's Horse Washing Waterfall in Japan."
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
Hokusai's fame lies in the innovative approach he brought to ukiyo-e, transforming the genre from one that was restricted to the hedonistic lifestyle of the 19th century Edo merchant class to one that broadened to include landscapes, plants, and animals.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
The two works reproduced for the new Reverso Tribute Enamel models are from Hokusai's "A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces" series, a set of eight woodblock prints depicting famous waterfalls during his visits to various parts of Honshu, Japan, between 1831 and 1833. The skilled artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre's Métiers Rares™ workshops have previously celebrated these works with Reverso Tribute models depicting Kirifuri Falls on Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke in 2021 and Oku-Amidaga Falls on the Kisoji Road in 2022. Two new pieces, created in 2023, continue to pay homage to the Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai, choosing subjects that also reflect the deep love of nature inherent in the Jaeger-LeCoultre spirit.
The natural world fascinated the great Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai
Innovative in composition and use of color, Katsushika Hokusai (c. 1760–1849) was an extremely prolific illustrator, printmaker, and ukiyo-e artist, and during his time woodblock printing became a flourishing means of recreating ukiyo-e. As a result of Hokusai's fame, ukiyo-e and woodblock prints played a central role in shaping the Western perception of Japanese art. His monumental series, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," includes one of the world's most famous artworks, "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa," which Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated with a limited-edition reproduction of the work in 2018 on a Reverso. "A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces" was the first to feature waterfalls as a theme in ukiyo-e. Each highly expressive work depicts the waterfalls dominating the viewer's gaze, miniaturized by the human figures.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
Capturing the Beauty and Power of a Waterfall
"Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido" depicts a famous spot in Nagano Prefecture, on an ancient road connecting the historic capital of Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo), the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. A small shrine stands on a prominent rocky cliff adjacent to the waterfall, and travelers stand on a bridge below, awed by the force of the waterfall. The painting's power is further enhanced by the water's sheer vertical drop between two towering cliffs. Japanese people traditionally believe that overwhelming physical phenomena indicate the presence of kami or Shinto deities, and Hokusai painted this scene to convey the power of life, reflecting his animistic beliefs.
"Washū Yoshino Yoshitsune Horse Washing Waterfall" depicts an episode from a famous Japanese tale, the story of Shogun Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189). While fleeing from his brother, who considered him a traitor for consorting with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Yoshitsune rested in the mountains of Yoshino (present-day Nara Prefecture) to wash his beloved horse. In this powerful, graphic composition, the powerful curves of the waterfall maximize the force of the water as it flows through a deep, wooded valley. Evoking the image of a giant hand with outstretched fingers embracing the earth, the work beautifully expresses the relationship between nature, humans, and animals.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRE
Artistry and Precision in Miniature Painting
The miniature painting on the case back of the Reverso, finished using the Geneva technique, is covered with at least 14 layers of enamel fired at 800°C, requiring a total of 80 hours of meticulous work. In addition to the technical feat of recreating Hokusai's original color palette (including the gradient shading effect) using completely different means, the enameller was also tasked with recreating every detail with utmost precision at approximately one-tenth the size of the original. Most noteworthy is the cartouche at the top of the frame, which contains the original caption, handwritten in extremely small size and reproduced with stunning accuracy, remaining perfectly legible. The enameller is not only challenged to master this technical feat, but also to capture Hokusai's original intent and touch, imbuing each piece with emotion and soul.
The simplicity and understated style of the watch's front dial, with its faceted applied hour markers, dauphine hands, and railway minute track—characteristic of all Reverso Tribute timepieces—contrasts with the intricacy of the miniature painting. However, this apparent simplicity belies the extremely complex craftsmanship behind its creation. The backgrounds of both dials are hand-guilloched. The "Kiso Kaido Ono Falls" pattern is a classic barleycorn motif, requiring three to four hours of careful and precise work. For the "Washū Yoshino Yoshitsune Umaarai Falls," artisans decorated the dial with a diamond pattern consisting of more than 800 lines. Each line requires five lathe turns (4,000 in total), and the guilloching alone takes eight hours of work. Once the guilloching is complete, four to five layers of translucent green enamel must be applied, with each layer fired and dried separately. This requires a total of eight additional hours of work over the course of a week. Embodying Jaeger-LeCoultre's vision for the world of art and culture, and showcasing the talents united within the Manufacture's Métiers Rares™ (Rare Craftsmanship) workshops in the Vallée de Joux, two new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces join the family, serving as a canvas for the Reverso's never-ending story and limitless possibilities for creative expression.
Technical Specifications
Reverso Tribute Enamel - Katsushika Hokusai's Pilgrimage to Waterfalls in Various Provinces, "Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido"
Case: White gold
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm, height 9.73 mm
Caliber: Manual-wound caliber 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power reserve: 42 hours
Front: Barleycorn guilloched, Grand Feu enamel
Case back: Closed - Miniature Grand Feu enamel
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q39334T5
Limited edition: 10 pieces
Reverso Tribute Enamel - Katsushika Hokusai's Pilgrimage to Waterfalls in Japan, "Yoshitsune's Horse-Washing Waterfall at Yoshino in Washu"
Case: White gold
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4mm, height 9.73mm
Caliber: Manual-wound caliber 822
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Rhombus-patterned guilloché, Grand Feu enamel
Case back: Closed - Miniature Grand Feu enamel
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q39334T4
Limited edition: 10 pieces
Jaeger-LeCoultre - A Watchmaker among Watchmakers™
Since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been guided by an unquenchable thirst for innovation and creativity, drawing inspiration from the tranquil natural environment of its native Vallée de Joux and distinguishing itself by its mastery of complications and precision. Known as a Watchmaker among Watchmakers™, the Manufacture has expressed its spirit of relentless innovation through the creation of more than 1,400 calibers and over 430 patents. Drawing on 190 years of accumulated expertise, Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmakers design, manufacture, finish and decorate cutting-edge precision mechanisms, combining centuries of know-how and passion to link past and future. Timeless, always with time. Bringing together 180 different specialties under one roof, the Manufacture breathes life into Haute Horlogerie, combining virtuosity with aesthetic beauty and a distinctive, understated refinement.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREHokusai's fame lies in the innovative approach he brought to ukiyo-e, transforming the genre from one that was restricted to the hedonistic lifestyle of the 19th century Edo merchant class to one that broadened to include landscapes, plants, and animals.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREThe two works reproduced for the new Reverso Tribute Enamel models are from Hokusai's "A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces" series, a set of eight woodblock prints depicting famous waterfalls during his visits to various parts of Honshu, Japan, between 1831 and 1833. The skilled artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre's Métiers Rares™ workshops have previously celebrated these works with Reverso Tribute models depicting Kirifuri Falls on Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke in 2021 and Oku-Amidaga Falls on the Kisoji Road in 2022. Two new pieces, created in 2023, continue to pay homage to the Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai, choosing subjects that also reflect the deep love of nature inherent in the Jaeger-LeCoultre spirit.
The natural world fascinated the great Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai
Innovative in composition and use of color, Katsushika Hokusai (c. 1760–1849) was an extremely prolific illustrator, printmaker, and ukiyo-e artist, and during his time woodblock printing became a flourishing means of recreating ukiyo-e. As a result of Hokusai's fame, ukiyo-e and woodblock prints played a central role in shaping the Western perception of Japanese art. His monumental series, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," includes one of the world's most famous artworks, "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa," which Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated with a limited-edition reproduction of the work in 2018 on a Reverso. "A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces" was the first to feature waterfalls as a theme in ukiyo-e. Each highly expressive work depicts the waterfalls dominating the viewer's gaze, miniaturized by the human figures.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTRECapturing the Beauty and Power of a Waterfall
"Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido" depicts a famous spot in Nagano Prefecture, on an ancient road connecting the historic capital of Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo), the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. A small shrine stands on a prominent rocky cliff adjacent to the waterfall, and travelers stand on a bridge below, awed by the force of the waterfall. The painting's power is further enhanced by the water's sheer vertical drop between two towering cliffs. Japanese people traditionally believe that overwhelming physical phenomena indicate the presence of kami or Shinto deities, and Hokusai painted this scene to convey the power of life, reflecting his animistic beliefs.
"Washū Yoshino Yoshitsune Horse Washing Waterfall" depicts an episode from a famous Japanese tale, the story of Shogun Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189). While fleeing from his brother, who considered him a traitor for consorting with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Yoshitsune rested in the mountains of Yoshino (present-day Nara Prefecture) to wash his beloved horse. In this powerful, graphic composition, the powerful curves of the waterfall maximize the force of the water as it flows through a deep, wooded valley. Evoking the image of a giant hand with outstretched fingers embracing the earth, the work beautifully expresses the relationship between nature, humans, and animals.
Courtesy of JAEGER LECOULTREArtistry and Precision in Miniature Painting
The miniature painting on the case back of the Reverso, finished using the Geneva technique, is covered with at least 14 layers of enamel fired at 800°C, requiring a total of 80 hours of meticulous work. In addition to the technical feat of recreating Hokusai's original color palette (including the gradient shading effect) using completely different means, the enameller was also tasked with recreating every detail with utmost precision at approximately one-tenth the size of the original. Most noteworthy is the cartouche at the top of the frame, which contains the original caption, handwritten in extremely small size and reproduced with stunning accuracy, remaining perfectly legible. The enameller is not only challenged to master this technical feat, but also to capture Hokusai's original intent and touch, imbuing each piece with emotion and soul.
The simplicity and understated style of the watch's front dial, with its faceted applied hour markers, dauphine hands, and railway minute track—characteristic of all Reverso Tribute timepieces—contrasts with the intricacy of the miniature painting. However, this apparent simplicity belies the extremely complex craftsmanship behind its creation. The backgrounds of both dials are hand-guilloched. The "Kiso Kaido Ono Falls" pattern is a classic barleycorn motif, requiring three to four hours of careful and precise work. For the "Washū Yoshino Yoshitsune Umaarai Falls," artisans decorated the dial with a diamond pattern consisting of more than 800 lines. Each line requires five lathe turns (4,000 in total), and the guilloching alone takes eight hours of work. Once the guilloching is complete, four to five layers of translucent green enamel must be applied, with each layer fired and dried separately. This requires a total of eight additional hours of work over the course of a week. Embodying Jaeger-LeCoultre's vision for the world of art and culture, and showcasing the talents united within the Manufacture's Métiers Rares™ (Rare Craftsmanship) workshops in the Vallée de Joux, two new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces join the family, serving as a canvas for the Reverso's never-ending story and limitless possibilities for creative expression.
Technical Specifications
Reverso Tribute Enamel - Katsushika Hokusai's Pilgrimage to Waterfalls in Various Provinces, "Ono Falls on the Kiso Kaido"
Case: White gold
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm, height 9.73 mm
Caliber: Manual-wound caliber 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power reserve: 42 hours
Front: Barleycorn guilloched, Grand Feu enamel
Case back: Closed - Miniature Grand Feu enamel
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q39334T5
Limited edition: 10 pieces
Reverso Tribute Enamel - Katsushika Hokusai's Pilgrimage to Waterfalls in Japan, "Yoshitsune's Horse-Washing Waterfall at Yoshino in Washu"
Case: White gold
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4mm, height 9.73mm
Caliber: Manual-wound caliber 822
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Rhombus-patterned guilloché, Grand Feu enamel
Case back: Closed - Miniature Grand Feu enamel
Strap: Black alligator
Reference: Q39334T4
Limited edition: 10 pieces
Jaeger-LeCoultre - A Watchmaker among Watchmakers™
Since 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been guided by an unquenchable thirst for innovation and creativity, drawing inspiration from the tranquil natural environment of its native Vallée de Joux and distinguishing itself by its mastery of complications and precision. Known as a Watchmaker among Watchmakers™, the Manufacture has expressed its spirit of relentless innovation through the creation of more than 1,400 calibers and over 430 patents. Drawing on 190 years of accumulated expertise, Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmakers design, manufacture, finish and decorate cutting-edge precision mechanisms, combining centuries of know-how and passion to link past and future. Timeless, always with time. Bringing together 180 different specialties under one roof, the Manufacture breathes life into Haute Horlogerie, combining virtuosity with aesthetic beauty and a distinctive, understated refinement.
