One of the benefits of a reversible caseback meant to protect a delicate watch crystal is that it provides a blank canvas upon which all manner of designs, inscriptions, and even miniature paintings can be executed in striking detail. To wit: Four new Reverso Tribute references see Jaeger-LeCoultre tapping its Métiers Rares atelier for expertise in miniature enamel painting, paillonnage, grand feu enamel, and guillochage in order to bring to life scenes from the Shahnameh, the Persian epic poem that includes depictions of polo. (The game, which provides the backdrop for the Reverso’s origin story, has its roots in ancient Persia.)
While the front of each watch features a grand feu enamel dial executed over a hand-guilloché base in a beautiful pastel color, the reverse features one of four reproductions of a book-sized Persian painting executed in the space of just 2 sq. cm. These are made using the paillonnage technique, wherein pieces of gold leaf are carefully placed by hand to achieve a lustrous effect. (Each caseback painting requires some 100 hours of work, limiting the series to just 10 pieces per painting.) Powered by the hand-wound Calibre 822 and shipping on simple black alligator straps, these are some of the most beautiful Reverso references of the past few years.
Case Size: 27.4 mm
Case Material: White gold
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Strap: Black alligator
Price: TBD
From the article by Paige Reddinger, Oren Hartov, Victoria Gomelsky, Carol Besler, Justin Fenner
