Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 277.8.62

Reverso Ultra Thin London Boutique Edition 278853L c. 2015

An exceptionally rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, made in a limited edition of just 26 pieces to celebrate the London boutique. Instead of the usual blank space on the reverse for a personalised engraving, this watch depicts Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The dial is green, and unusually is only signed "Reverso" without the brand logo - a throwback to the earliest examples. Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso is perhaps the most recognisable rectangular watch on the market. Originally released in 1931, it was designed for polo players who needed a timepiece that could withstand the rough and tumble of the sport. The Reverso achieved this by having a unique reversible case that could be flipped over to protect the dial from damage during a game. It was marketed to the English and European aristocracy, who would often engrave their coat of arms or personal monograms on the reverse of the case. King Edward VIII had his Royal Crest on his Reverso, while Amelia Earhart's watch had a flightpath between the US East Coast and Mexico. During the Second World War, the Reverso was retired due to square watches going out of fashion as well as the constraints on materials to be used for non-critical items, such as luxury wristwatches. The Reverso was re-released in 1982, after an Italian distributor discovered a trove of unused cases. Since then, the Reverso has formed the lynchpin of JLC's collection.