To celebrate the Reverso’s 85th anniversary at the SIHH 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled five new Reverso watches with sixteen different references and you can see all of them here. To further commemorate the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the birth of this iconic watch first presented in 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre decided to also present an exceptional out of this world Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon. This Grande Complication model celebrating the Reverso’s 85th anniversary is a veritable masterpiece showcasing the watchmaking skills and rare crafts —Métiers Rares— of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The new SIHH 2016 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon houses the unusual and ultra complicated Gyrotourbillon. Luckily for us, we were able to work on this hands-on review with live pictures of this new watch while we were attending the SIHH 2016 in Geneva.

Now, look carefully at the next three images taken from the verso side of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon. These live pictures show some of the different positions of the Gyrotourbillon as it is rotating around its opening. Simply breathtaking in our opinion.

Vividly embodying the signature horological sophistication of Jaeger-LeCoultre on both faces, it springs a number of surprises including an entirely openworked back dial. This new platinum model is issued in a 75-piece limited edition and is 30% trimmer in terms of both width and thickness from its predecessor. This timepiece is thus entirely in line with the spirit of the Hybris Mechanica line, a collection of fascinatingly technical and beautiful models that epitomize the watchmaking genius of the gifted artisans exercising their art within the Grande Maison. Equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre manually-wound Calibre 179, entirely developed and produced in the manufacture —which we visited last week and we will bring you a full report in the coming week—, this creation reveals an all-new Gyrotourbillon.

Now performing its rotation by means of an external driving mechanism, it appears to be floating in mid-air. This enables a spectacular plunging view of the light, airy architecture. Pared down to their slimmest possible form, the two carriages of this bi-axial flying tourbillon perform an external rotation in one minute and an internal rotation in 12.6 seconds.

The gaze can thus linger on the balance-spring hand-crafted in the workshops of the Manufacture. Its hemispherical shape is bound to catch the attention of those who will recognize the additional difficulty and precision involved in such a design. This delicate and exclusive balance spring is a token of expert technical mastery that is also exercised on the Gyrolab balance-wheel, distinguished by a non-circular configuration that considerably reduces air friction. Shaped like the Jaeger-LeCoultre anchor symbol, this component represents a
decisive breakthrough in terms of the watch’s precision.

On the front side —recto side— of the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon the watch features a finely grained white round dial with dauphine hands and an elegant day/night indicator that barely appears at 11 o’clock. The seconds are displayed in an unusual manner by means of a graduated disc rotating at the cadence of the Gyrotourbillon, with a small blue arrow placed on its left serving to read off this indication. A hand-crafted sunburst guilloché pattern accentuates the refinement of this side and echoes the finishing on the watch cradle.

In good old Reverso fashion, swivelling the case allows to savour a second face —verso face— that both stimulates curiosity and heightens desire. The surprising back of the Reverso Tribute
Gyrotourbillon majestically demonstrates the art of the Manufacture’s engravers. The entirely
openworked manual wound calibre 179 with its bridges hand-decorated by these skilled artisans creates a remarkable effect on this back dial. Featuring a dual-time display —second time zone— and the Gyrotourbillon standing out against the movement, this side also carries a day/night indicator in 24-hour mode at 2 o’clock as well as a small seconds hand driven by the tourbillon. The tourbillon had to be miniaturized by 40% leaving it at a size of 12.6 mm including the carriage.

Right around the opening where the Gyrotourbillon is gravitating in all glory, there is an area adorned with a sunburst guilloché leaves motif and next to it a small round, smoothly
polished surface just below the position of the Gyortourbillon, thus enabling a full view of
the show performed by this major complication when the case is fitted inside its cradle that is properly engraved with the limited edition information.

Fitted with an elegant and supple black alligator strap, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon features a unique clasp system to further reflect the talent of this Grande Maison and what the manufacture is capable of executing.

Honestly, what finer invention could one imagine to celebrate the birthday of the iconic Reverso than this exceptional creation —a limited edition that is heralding a new chapter in the history of this model so deeply cherished by devotees of beautiful watches since 1931. Ladies and gentlemen, this timepiece right here is one of our top five watches at the SIHH 2016.

Sticker Price 270,000 Euros Ex VAT. For more info on Jaeger-LeCoultre click here.