The word ‘iconic’ is one which is almost certainly overused in the context of watches. However, when it comes to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso, it is a watch family that is certainly one deserving of the accolade.
Arguably the world’s first true “sports watch”, the Reverso was created in 1931 in an effort to stop watches getting damaged during Polo matches, introducing a watch with a reversible body and a steel back face – the idea being that flipping the watch around during the game would protect the dial side from any damage.
With strong design influences from the world of Art Deco, the Reverso almost became a footnote in the history books when after the popularity of Art Deco receded during the 1950s, it was no longer produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre from 1958.
This remained the case until 1972, when a collector of the Reverso persuaded the brand to fit watch movements into the remaining rectangular shape cases. These were hugely successful and soon sold out; Jaeger-LeCoultre promptly reconsidered the retirement of the Reverso, and by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 150th anniversary in 1983, the Reverso was thankfully available once more.
For anybody who is particularly interested in learning more about the Reverso and its history, there is a magnificent coffee table book by Nicholas Foulkes, published by Assouline books which is well worth checking out – available here (affiliate link).
As part of the brand’s celebrations of 90 years since the first Reverso, in 2021 Jaeger-LeCoultre started a free-to-enter travelling exhibition entitled Reverso Stories, which this week arrived at The Piazza in London’s Covent Garden where it will remain until Christmas Eve.
With several notable references including the Hybris Mechanica Quadriptyque from 2021 – the most complicated Reverso ever made, the “Spacetime” art installation, as well as the 1931 café, I decided to pay it a visit!
Reverso Stories Exhibit in London’s Covent Garden
Reverso Stories exhibit in The Covent Garden Piazza, London
Although a relatively small pop-up exhibit, Reverso Stories certainly packs a punch, and captures the 90 (well, 91 now) year story of the Reverso perfectly.
There are three separate parts to the exhibition: first is the main exhibit, second is the “Spacetime” art installation, and the third is the 1931 café, offering a free hot drink and some chocolates for after your visit.
I started my visit in the main exhibit with display cabinets around the periphery, containing between 15 and 20 notable references of Reverso. Of course, amongst these was an original model from 1931 which was very cool to see, along with example references showcasing different styles of Reverso to showcase the diversity of the collection. This included a 1933 Cordonnet with a braided bracelet right through to those decorated with a grand feu enamel caseback, and even high jewellery pieces that showcase skills such as engraving, enamelling and gem-setting in one.
Original Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso from 1931
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Cordonnet from 1933
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Precious Flowers from 2021
At the back of the exhibit room was a scaled-up model of a Reverso Duoface travel time, where the dials on either side of the watch are driven by the same movement. You can interact with the crown and second time-zone corrector and see in much greater detail how these work in the context of the movement itself. I found it quite interesting to see how the crown engages and disengages the movement depending on its position, as well as how the second time-zone corrector advances the hour hand of just one of the two dials.
On the opposite side of the exhibit were examples of complicated Reversos. This included an example of the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 4, a 75-piece limited edition from 2016 that introduced a flying tourbillon to the Duoface concept. This watch was ticking away happily, so it was brilliant to be able to enjoy the tourbillon in action as it rotates about its axes every 16 seconds!
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 4 from 2016
However, the star of the show for me – and the main reason I wanted to attend the exhibit – was the display of the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Quadriptyque. When it was released in 2021 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Reverso, it became the most complicated Reverso ever made with a single movement (calibre 185) driving four dials (yes, 4) on the same watch.
Limited to just 10 pieces, it features 11 complications in total including a tourbillon, instantaneously changing perpetual calendar with grande date, day/night indication, a jumping hour time on the reverse side of the dial, a minute repeater, and then either side of the cradle are celestial complications showing various moon phase displays with a moon phase as seen from the Southern hemisphere on the back side of the cradle.
I must have spent quite a lot of time standing and admiring the Quadriptyque and the Gyrotourbillon – two truly incredible feats of watchmaking.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybrs Mechanica Quadriptyque
In the main exhibit there was also the opportunity to try your hand at applying the perlage watch finishing technique under the guidance of an artisan from Jaeger-LeCoultre, however knowing from previous experience that I am quite… let’s say inept at this, I decided to pass! However, if it isn’t something you’ve tried before it is definitely worth a go as it will give you a much greater sense of admiration for this skill.
Moving onto the second part of the exhibit, is the opportunity to enjoy the “Spacetime” art installation created by Michael Murphy. It presents an ‘exploded’ view of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Nonantième (you can read more about this watch here), which is intended to explore the three dimensions of space and the fourth dimension of time.
"Spacetime" by Michael Murphy
As you walk around the installation, there are 69 ‘exploded’ parts which when you are standing perpendicular to the dial on either side of the watch all line up perfectly to show the view of the Reverso Nonantième. It certainly makes for an interesting way to see a watch, and I quite enjoyed doing a few laps of the installation!
After tiring myself out doing laps on a cold winter’s day, there’s only one way to recover, and that is of course with a hot drink and some chocolate courtesy of the Art Deco inspired 1931 café!
In Summary
A short but sweet (and at the end, tasty) visit, but I really enjoyed seeing the pieces on display and being able to walk around the “Spacetime” installation. Of course, the Hybris Mechanics Quadriptyque was the star of the show for me, and it was worth going just to be able to see this piece. If you have some time this week or are in Central London, I think it’s well worth popping by!
The Reverso Stories exhibit is on display in The Piazza at London’s Covent Garden from 15-24th December and is free to enter. You can visit as a walk-in or book a free ticket here. For more information about the Reverso Stories exhibition, visit Jaeger-LeCoultre.com
If you have any questions, please get in touch via our Contact page, or via our Instagram.
You might also be interested in:
- Spotlight: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième
- Phillips ‘Made in Germany’ A. Lange & Söhne Exhibition
- Recommended Reading: ‘The Collectibles’ Book by Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Watch Stationery and Gift Ideas
- Watch Books, Watch Boxes and more at the Watch Affinity Shop on Amazon (commissions earned)
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