Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso: the Art Deco icon for aesthetes

Born in 1931, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso combines functionality and elegance. Originally designed to protect polo players’ watch dials, it has become an Art Deco legend, beloved by aesthetes and still reissued today. A watch conceived as much as a timekeeping instrument as a work of art on the wrist.

A gesture turned into a horological icon

One summer evening at the opera, the cuff of a tuxedo slips back, revealing the smooth, polished surface of a rectangular case. No dial, no hands, just a steel rectangle catching the light. Then, with a fluid gesture, the case flips, unveiling blued hands and stylised numerals. This simple motion defines the Reverso: a watch where function melts into elegance, where movement becomes art.

1931: birth of an Art Deco icon

Created in 1931, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was designed to withstand the shocks of British polo players in India. Its reversible case protected the crystal and dial. What began as a practical device quickly became an aesthetic signature. From its debut, the Reverso charmed with its rectangular case, three horizontal gadroons, and graphic Art Deco-inspired look.

From sports watch to art object

While athletes embraced it, aesthetes made it a legend. The Reverso is true architecture for the wrist, built on golden-ratio proportions, evoking modernist facades and 1930s stained glass. More than a timepiece, it became an aesthetic manifesto, a living fragment of Art Deco.

Technical evolutions and variations

Originally powered by ultra-thin manual calibres developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Reverso today comes in manual, automatic and complication versions (tourbillon, minute repeater, calendar). Its reversible case, in steel or gold, ranges from 36 to 46 mm, maintaining remarkable slimness. Some models even reveal a second dial on the reverse, turning a constraint into a creative opportunity.

A city watch par excellence

The Reverso is the ultimate urban watch. It suits the office, an elegant dinner, or a cultural evening. Discreet yet instantly recognisable, it attracts discerning eyes. On a man’s wrist, it enhances a refined style; on a woman’s, it becomes a timeless graphic jewel. It appeals to those seeking an aesthetic and cultural dimension in their watch.

A witness to the spirit of the 1930s

In the 1930s, Europe pulsed with Art Deco, transatlantic liners, and sporting achievements. The Reverso was born into this modernist climate. Quickly adopted by businessmen, architects and artists, it became a natural extension of their taste for straight lines. Many pieces were personalised on the back with engravings or enamel work, transforming the watch into a secret canvas.

Reverso: between culture and style

If the Submariner evokes the sea and the Speedmaster space, the Reverso embodies galleries, operas and libraries. It has appeared in films, often worn by cultured characters. Its geometric aesthetic resonates with Mondrian, Ravel or Erté. Relaunched in the 1980s, it regained its relevance in a world seeking refinement, and it remains today a true connoisseur’s watch.

Buying a pre-owned Reverso at Mostra

Choosing a pre-owned Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso at Mostra means accessing an icon with the peace of mind that comes from our expertise. Each watch is inspected and certified authentic in our Aix-en-Provence workshop, with an exclusive 3-year warranty. Rigorous selection, impeccable condition, personalised service: our boutique offers a unique experience to enthusiasts and aesthetes alike, presenting the largest collection of pre-owned women’s watches in the South of France.