The gem-encrusted Reverso suspends from a delicate chain of intricare diamond-set links and polished onyx beads (All photos: Jaeger-LeCoultre)
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest high jewellery drop is simply stunning. The Reverso Secret Necklace is not only an expression of the manufacture’s commitment to feminine expression but also the pinnacle of watchmaking savoir faire.
Transforming into an elegant sautoir or long necklace, the cordonnet — the fine braid often seen on Reverso models of the 1930s — has been reimagined as a delicate chain of intricate diamond-set links and polished onyx beads. And from this chain, the exquisite gem-encrusted Reverso suspends beautifully. Bringing back a style that was all the rage in the early 20th century, the secret watch sure stands out in the mystery and intrigue department.
The beautiful Art Deco-inspired necklace can be worn with the caseback turned to the front (highly preferred!) or with the front dial showing. The dial appears to observers as upside down but for the wearer, time can be read naturally as she lifts the watch to her line of sight.
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The movement encased within comprises a total of 93 parts and is developed and produced entirely in-house. The manually wound Calibre 846, created specifically for the Reverso, is shaped to follow the contours of the rectangular case.
Since the launch of the Reverso in 1931, the core design elements that define it have remained steadfast like the horizontal gadroons that emphasise the rectilinear geometry of the case; the triangular lugs that appear to be a seamless extension of the case sides. It has become an icon of 20th-century designs, courtesy of its dual-function case.
For this timepiece, the gem-setting requires over 300 hours of meticulous work that is done at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atelier des Métiers Rares.
This article first appeared on Apr 3, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.
