Jaeger-LeCoultre has been creating timepieces in Switzerland since 1833 that never cease to amaze horologists with their unique innovations, flawless technology and timeless designs. In the 90 years since the Reverso was born in 1931, it has become one of the most recognizable watches of all time – a rare example of a design that has won over an equal number of men and women through the years. We were naturally intrigued to learn more about the newest addition to this rare and often envied collection.

The Reverso Duetto Medium is fitted with an automatic mechanical movement. Distinguished by the strength and purity of the original Art Deco design and identified by the three straight-line gadroons that define both the upper and lower edges of the case, the new Reverso Duetto Medium introduces fresh colors and new aesthetic refinement to the collection.

The flip-over case of the Reverso was originally designed with a solid metal caseback that would protect the glass of the watch when it was worn while playing sports, but it took on a new life in the 1990s with the introduction of a second dial. Following the success of the Reverso Duoface, which displays a second time zone on its reverse, the double dial concept was reconceived with the Reverso Duetto. Each dial offers a distinctly different aesthetic expression of the same time that is classically elegant on the front and more exuberant on the reverse, and with two sets of hands animated by a single movement.

On the light-colored front dial, a central rectangle decorated with deeply etched sunray guilloché pattern is framed by a chemin de fer minute track. Surrounding this, the clean-lined applied Arabic numerals stand out against a smooth background that add greater visual depth and complexity. On the darker-colored reverse dial, a sunray-brushed central circle is defined by a fine golden or steel ring designed to match the case material. From here, deeply etched guillochage radiates in a sunray pattern that is accented by fine golden or steel bands that mark the hours.

Subtly refined details distinguish the new Automatic model from its hand-wound counterparts: on the reverse-side dial only the numeral ‘12’ is marked, and a small aperture at the center reveals the oscillating mass. The self-winding movement is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufacture Calibre 968A, with a 38-hour power reserve. Adding further richness, the gadroons on the upper and lower edges of the case are now defined by row of grain-set diamonds on both the front and reverse faces.

The new Reverso Duetto Medium in steel has a reverse dial in glowing sapphire blue – a beautiful contrast with the frosted finish on the number ’12’ and the cool tone of the polished steel, and a perfect match for the blue hands on the front dial and the shiny alligator strap. The pink gold model has a glossy black lacquer reverse dial, while the soft white of the front dial is complemented by golden baton hands to match the numerals and the pink gold case. To reinforce this tonal harmony, Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced its signature shiny taupe alligator strap to the Reverso collection for the first time.

Regardless of which option you choose, you will possess something truly special that can be passed down for generations to come.

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