JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO ACCIAIO E ORO, PERSONALIZZATO EBERHARD-MILAN, ANNI '30
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO IN STEEL AND GOLD, RETAILED BY EBERHARD-MILAN, 30S
FIRST MODEL OF THE REVERSO LAUNCHED IN 1931 AND ILLUSTRATED IN A SPECIALIZED MAGAZINE
Case: signed, Swiss and English hallmarks, n. 2915, stainless steel brancard, reversible 18K gold case, engraved monogram.
Bracelet/Strap: –
Dial: signed, black, bâton indexes, minute track, luminescent sword hands.
Movement: signed, manual-winding caliber Tavannes 064, n. 228582, 17 jewels, nickel-plated, côtes de Genève, cut compensated bimetallic balance with screws, flat hairspring.
Accessories: expertise by Valter Barocco, copy of the magazine with the article dedicated to the history of Reverso.
Size: 23 x 38 mm
Note: working.
In the creative fervor of the 1930s, an era marked by a blend of technical innovation and aesthetic style, the idea for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was born. This unique watch concept stemmed from a specific need: to craft a timepiece that could withstand the impacts experienced during polo matches, a game beloved by British soldiers in India.
In 1930, César de Trey, an entrepreneur with a keen interest in horology, encountered this precise dilemma during a trip to India. Upon his return, he discussed the idea with Gustave Delage and Edmond Audemars, executives at Jaeger, and together they decided to embark on this daring project.
The visionary mind of Jacques-David LeCoultre immediately recognized the potential of such a watch and joined the team. However, to bring this innovative design to life, they turned to the engineer René-Alfred Chauvot. His ingenuity led to the creation of a rectangular watch that could slide and flip over, thereby concealing the delicate dial and exposing a sturdy steel case back.
In 1931, the patent for this ingenious mechanism was officially registered. Spécialités Horlogères, specifically founded by LeCoultre and de Trey, acquired the rights to this revolutionary design, ensuring that Chauvot's merit and contribution were acknowledged through royalties for each piece sold.
Despite Jaeger-LeCoultre's vision and expertise, they realized the production challenges tied to the innovative design. Therefore, rather than delaying the launch, they chose to use the Tavannes calibers, known for their reliability, to power the early versions of the Reverso. At the same time, Wenger's mastery in metalwork was crucial in crafting the first reversible cases, a not insignificant task given the design's complexity.
The Reverso watch quickly became a symbol not only of resilience and functionality but also of elegance and refinement, capturing the essence of the 1930s and solidifying its place as one of the most iconic watch designs of the 20th century.304 JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO ACCIAIO E ORO, PERSONALIZZATO EBERHARD-MILAN, ANNI '30 Clicking on "Make an offer" button, in case of final adjudication, you accept to buy this lot for adjudication price plus commissions to Aste Bolaffi. JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO IN STEEL AND GOLD, RETAILED BY EBERHARD-MILAN, 30S
FIRST MODEL OF THE REVERSO LAUNCHED IN 1931 AND ILLUSTRATED IN A SPECIALIZED MAGAZINE
Case: signed, Swiss and English hallmarks, n. 2915, stainless steel brancard, reversible 18K gold case, engraved monogram.
Bracelet/Strap: –
Dial: signed, black, bâton indexes, minute track, luminescent sword hands.
Movement: signed, manual-winding caliber Tavannes 064, n. 228582, 17 jewels, nickel-plated, côtes de Genève, cut compensated bimetallic balance with screws, flat hairspring.
Accessories: expertise by Valter Barocco, copy of the magazine with the article dedicated to the history of Reverso.
Size: 23 x 38 mm
Note: working.
In the creative fervor of the 1930s, an era marked by a blend of technical innovation and aesthetic style, the idea for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was born. This unique watch concept stemmed from a specific need: to craft a timepiece that could withstand the impacts experienced during polo matches, a game beloved by British soldiers in India.
In 1930, César de Trey, an entrepreneur with a keen interest in horology, encountered this precise dilemma during a trip to India. Upon his return, he discussed the idea with Gustave Delage and Edmond Audemars, executives at Jaeger, and together they decided to embark on this daring project.
The visionary mind of Jacques-David LeCoultre immediately recognized the potential of such a watch and joined the team. However, to bring this innovative design to life, they turned to the engineer René-Alfred Chauvot. His ingenuity led to the creation of a rectangular watch that could slide and flip over, thereby concealing the delicate dial and exposing a sturdy steel case back.
In 1931, the patent for this ingenious mechanism was officially registered. Spécialités Horlogères, specifically founded by LeCoultre and de Trey, acquired the rights to this revolutionary design, ensuring that Chauvot's merit and contribution were acknowledged through royalties for each piece sold.
Despite Jaeger-LeCoultre's vision and expertise, they realized the production challenges tied to the innovative design. Therefore, rather than delaying the launch, they chose to use the Tavannes calibers, known for their reliability, to power the early versions of the Reverso. At the same time, Wenger's mastery in metalwork was crucial in crafting the first reversible cases, a not insignificant task given the design's complexity.
The Reverso watch quickly became a symbol not only of resilience and functionality but also of elegance and refinement, capturing the essence of the 1930s and solidifying its place as one of the most iconic watch designs of the 20th century.