Jaeger-LeCoultre Unveils New Masterpiece: Classic Monoface Small Seconds Watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso, an epitome of Art Deco aesthetics, has been a vision of intriguing ingenuity and enduring design since 1931. Originally engineered to navigate the challenges of energetic polo games, the watch is renowned for its innovative swivelling case offering protection from unintentional knocks. Over the decades, Jaeger-LeCoultre has enriched the Reverso collection with a portfolio of refined Métiers d’Art creations and faithful 1931 reissues.

This year, their pursuits of timekeeping perfection birthed the Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds with a stunning pink gold Milanese bracelet. Further elevating the Reverso selection is the unveiling of the mid-size Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds. This new timepiece acts as a homage to the original design, carefully preserving the features that made Reverso an icon while introducing modern enhancements.

The mid-size Classic Monoface’s case is ingeniously constructed from 50 components, each contributing to the fluid slide-and-flip mechanism that characterises this model. The brand’s dedication to impeccable craftsmanship is felt in the watch’s mechanical finish and refined touch. The swivelling caseback offers a smooth canvas that owners can personalise with unique engravings or lacquer, reminiscent of earliest Reverso traditions.

A distinct guilloché pattern at the dial’s centre, inspired by coin stacks, introduces a new artistic touch. It extends to the small seconds display at six o’clock and brings an eye-catching shimmer with each wrist movement. The applied Arabic numerals and faceted dauphine hands preserve Reverso’s timeless appeal while the different textures add visual depth and clarity.

The Classic Monoface Small Seconds watch houses the calibre 822, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s manually-wound, tonneau-shaped movement meticulously designed for Reverso’s signature rectangular format. The 108-component, 2.94mm thick movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The watch features an interchangeable system for changing the Casa Fagliano strap made from soft black calfskin.