Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso: A Different and Classic Watch

During my long-past collecting days I owned one or two Jaeger LeCoultre watches (both ex-military watches I seem to recall), however, until recently, I hadn't ever tried the Reverso. This fascinating timepiece, rectangular in shape, intriguing in design and vintage in character, has an interesting history related to the playing of polo in 1930s India. The Reverso is ideal for anyone wanting something a little different and individual. 

What make the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso unusual is that the case flips over within its protective surround, revealing (as in the original watches) a plain back or, more recently, a secondary dial on the back which can show a different time zone for the traveller. The plain backs are often engraved with the owner's initials, illustrations of loved ones, pets, risqué scenes or whatever the owner fancies.

The design originated in the 1930s in response to the needs of British Army officers playing polo in India and needing protection for their watches while playing. Reversing the watch case safeguarded it from the knocks of a hard chukka. The thirties art deco style has survived the decades, making a watch that is both vintage yet very contemporary in looks.

Jaeger LeCoultre lent me a watch to wear for a few weeks (pictured above). I loved its hand-wound movement and quirky and very different looks, so different from the vast majority of watches with their round dials. As you can see from the image, the reverse shows the time in a second time zone and indicates whether it's day or night (in case you can't be bothered to get out of bed to check). Although originally a sports watch, its classic good looks make it, nowadays, more of a dress watch. However, although perfect with dinner jacket, it also looks cool and sophisticated with jeans and jumper, particularly when worn on a beautiful brown leather strap.

See Jaeger LeCoultre for more information and prices.

Note: As I was told by a lovely woman at Jaeger LeCoultre, it's not 'jayger' or even 'yayger', but is pronounced 'zhay-zhair le-cooltruh'. Or maybe just say, 'JLC'.