The Laings Journal
Today, a fine watch does so much more than simply tell the time, it’s a personal and intimate object that can symbolise our special moments and some of our most treasured memories. When Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Reverso almost 90 years ago, its reversible blank case was designed purely as a functional solution to cater to the need of polo players to protect the delicate glass of their watches. Now, this rotating case gives you the option to create a personalised Reverso.
Over time, this innovative solution has become a blank canvas for special messages and artistic expression, with the ability to be decorated with enamel or engravings. Some would commission engravings for themselves – to mark one of life’s milestones or as a reminder of something deeply meaningful. Others would commission engravings as a gift for someone special in their lives – perhaps a significant date, maybe a message of love. Thanks to the Reverso’s design – unlike any other watch – the decoration could be kept secret or flipped over to be displayed to the world.
These Metiers Rares have opened a world of unlimited creative possibilities and expression that keep with the inventive spirit of founder Antoine LeCoultre. The Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, has continued to push the limits being one of the few Maison’s to master the arts of enamelling and hand-engraving that continue to be a source of inspiration for all.
The Art of Engraving
Within the walls of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre only seven individuals have mastered the savoir-faire of engraving, chamfering and guilloché-work on a Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece.
With the undying belief that “A work of art is only as perfect as the perfection of its smallest details”, Jaeger-LeCoultre has refined these skills to the extreme. Each handcrafted engraving relies solely on the care and expertise of the single engraver that devotes hundreds of hours to this operation, delicately handcrafting memories and works of art on the most complex mechanisms, movements and cases.
Such rarity surrounds these crafts, that only one artisan within the Manufacture possesses the guilloche expertise. This metal cutting technique requires the most meticulous precision to carve the tiniest details.
The Art of Enamelling
As one of the masters of traditional enamelling techniques - grand feu, champlevé, translucent and cloisonné, Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of only a few able to create the extremely rare miniature enamel painting craft; taking a single artist around 80 hours.
Enamel motifs are designed by using enamel fragments coloured by metal oxides, which are then crushed to powder and mixed with oil when painted onto the timepiece. Each piece can be fired between 17 and 22 times during the vitrification process, and each time, the enamel could crack and ruin hours of work.
Despite the risks, the enamellers in the Atelier never tire of experimenting. Be it through enamel with guilloché motifs or enamel miniature painting: they deliberately play with fire to recapture techniques or develop new ones.
Personalise your Reverso
What could be a more beautiful canvas for your treasured memories than the Grande Maison’s ultimate icon, the Reverso, with its reversible case that lends itself so well to the art of decoration. To create your own personalised Reverso please visit. https://engraving.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ch/en/choose-case
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