Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Large Monoface Small Second hand-wound leather strap 45.6 x 27.4 mm

Reverso: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Art Deco icon

In the history of Swiss haute horlogerie, few watches are able to transcend nearly a century without ever losing their modernity. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one of those absolute icons, instantly recognizable by its rectangular case and ingenious reversible mechanism.

Born in 1931, the Reverso answered a request as elegant as it was practical: to create a watch capable of withstanding the impacts of polo matches while preserving the refined aesthetic of the Maison. Jaeger-LeCoultre then imagined a unique swivelling case, allowing the dial to be protected by flipping it over — an innovation that has since become legendary.

But beyond its original function, the Reverso quickly established itself as a symbol of Art Deco style, with its geometric lines, signature gadroons, and architectural presence. It embodies watchmaking with character, both sporting in its origins and deeply sophisticated in its execution.

Today, the Reverso remains one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s most emblematic creations: a timepiece with timeless design, capable of combining historical heritage and contemporary elegance with rare ease.

Large version: a bold presence and an androgynous elegance

The Q3858523 reference perfectly captures the spirit of the Reverso in an interpretation that is both classic and resolutely contemporary. Offered here in its Large version, it provides a stronger presence on the wrist while preserving the finesse and architectural elegance inherent to the collection.

Its reversible stainless steel case, with harmonious proportions (45.6 x 27.4 mm), highlights the graphic character of the Reverso. This rectangular silhouette, unique in the watchmaking world, gives the watch a deliberately androgynous style, equally suited to a masculine or feminine wardrobe.

The silver dial, subtly crafted, combines a guilloché centre with a vertical brushed finish, creating a refined interplay of textures. The black Arabic numerals, signatures of the classic models, provide contrast and readability, while the small seconds at 6 o’clock balances the composition with a traditional horological touch.

Every detail breathes understated elegance: a watch designed to endure through the years without ever losing its modernity, where the complication remains discreet and design becomes a language of its own.

Finally, this Reverso is fitted with a leather strap created in collaboration with the renowned Argentinian bootmaker Casa Fagliano, whose artisanal craftsmanship extends the equestrian and sporting heritage of the model’s origins. A precious detail that enhances the authenticity and charm of this emblematic timepiece.

Calibre 822/2: the tradition of manual winding according to Jaeger-LeCoultre

Beyond its iconic design, the Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds asserts its horological character through the choice of a deeply traditional movement: a mechanical hand-wound calibre, faithful to the spirit of great shaped watches.

The Q3858523 reference is powered by the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture Calibre 822/2, a movement designed, developed, and assembled within the Manufacture in Le Sentier. This mechanism perfectly illustrates the Maison’s philosophy: precision watchmaking, conceived with rigour, yet always in the service of elegance.

Manual winding is not merely a technical detail here: it is an integral part of the Reverso experience. Each morning, the gesture of winding the watch becomes a ritual, a direct connection between the wearer and the mechanics, recalling the historical origins of the model.

With a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, Calibre 822/2 provides autonomy perfectly suited to everyday wear, while maintaining the essential slimness required to preserve the elegant proportions of the rectangular case.

The Reverso belongs to the rare category of so-called “shaped” watches, whose movement must be specifically designed to follow the geometry of the case. Jaeger-LeCoultre excels in this complex art, making the Reverso one of the most accomplished expressions of its expertise.

Behind its apparent simplicity — hours, minutes, and small seconds — lies true horological mastery, where every component is designed to combine finesse, reliability, and longevity.

With this Reverso Classic Monoface, the Manufacture offers far more than a watch: an object of heritage, carried by a timeless movement and a unique horological conception that transcends generations with the same natural elegance.