A cult watch that has appealed to both men and women, the Reverso has shown up in all manner of fascinating guises since 1931. Featuring an attractive blend of elegance and sportiness, the Reverso became a great classic of the Art Deco cultural movement, of which it embodies the essential values: refinement, artistic craftsmanship and aesthetic clarity. Ever since its birth, and above and beyond its timekeeping function, the Reverso has played the role of a guardian of memories. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 with its stainless steel case revives the spirit of a bygone era. Contrary to many models that enjoyed pre-war fame and were by then consigned to oblivion, the Reverso watch with the swivel case, which was celebrating its 17th birthday in 1948, was more modern than ever. Its case with the emblematic gadroons radiated the cool, fresh appeal of steel.

In 2014, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre pays tribute to the watch that heralded the Fabulous Fifties, created during the time when all hopes were focused on technical progress, and precision was gaining ground. The Reverso’s extraordinary combination of beauty and technical genius could only have seen the light of day in the workshops of Jaeger-LeCoultre, the world reference among watchmakers. In 1948 just as in 2014, the designers of the Manufacture made sure to display the inscription “Fabriqué en Suisse” —Made in Switzerland— on the dial, just above the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature.

Today, it still features the same characteristics that were soon to become truly timeless, while its intense blue hands and hour-markers pointed towards the aspirations of an era eager for renewal. Against the light background of the silver-grained dial, the blue applied hour markers and blue faceted baton-type hands stand out clearly in all circumstances to ensure perfect legibility. The lower section bears a small seconds subdial.

The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 comes in a comfortable width and height accentuated by a stunningly slender shape —46.8 mm x 27.4 mm x 7.2 mm—, together illustrating the skills of Jaeger-LeCoultre in all fields of horology. As connoisseurs are well aware, the generous surface of its back is destined to fulfill its owner’s wish for personalization. Thanks to this surface that measures just a few square centimeters, the Reverso became a horological work of art and an object of emotion, to be passed on or shared. Gaining a full appreciation of the elegance radiated by this timepiece means dragging the gaze from the dial in order to admire the profile of the watch. Its close embrace of the wrist is made possible by its extremely slender 7.2 mm case that incorporates the complex parts of the swiveling mechanism as well as a movement measuring just 2.94 mm in thickness. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2 composed of 114 parts and 19 jewels beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph providing a 45-hour power reserve. This calibre is renowned for its sturdiness and precision. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 ref. Q278852J is fitted with a matte black alligator leather strap with pin buckle and will only be available exclusively at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques.

Sticker Price $9,450 USD. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.