How Jaeger-LeCoultre Fit the Round Gyrotourbillon into the Square Reverso

 

No question about it: Jaeger-LeCoultre does one of the best, if not the best, job in integrating complications and innovations across its different lines. Among the most famous and iconic of those lines is the Reverso. Best known as the go to watch, first for polo enthusiasts, and now for watch lovers in all walks of life, the Reverso is famed for its ability to switch the face (via a swivel case) to protect it from any scratches during a match or everyday use. The reversibility of the watch also gives it iextraordinary versatility — enabling the brand to offer one function on one side,and another on the other.

This year, the 85th anniversary of the line, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates  in one of the most awesome ways imaginable: unveiling the Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon in a limited edition run of 75 pieces. The reconfiguration of the Gyrotourbillon  was not too extensive, as the watch still boasts a round opening for the cage. However, slimming was necessary.

First introduced in 2005, the Gyrotourbillon from Jaeger LeCoultre is largely considered to be one of the finest pieces the brand has produced. The laundry list of complications reads like a horological most-wanted list. It features a two-cage multi axis tourbillon, a perpetual calendar accurate for 100 years, retrograde power reserve inductor, month display and leap year notification.

The fact that this masterpiece is now available in the Reverso line is sure to create a lot of demand and the move is more than just cosmetic. The tribute piece is 30% trimmer in both thickness and width. The manually wound Calibre 179 features an all new Gyrotourbillon. It now performs its rotation by means of an external driving mechanism and gives the appearance as if it is floating in air. The tourbillon completes an external rotation once per minute and an internal rotation once ever 12.6 seconds. The free standing view really takes the breadth away and the unobstructed view allows for a clear look at hand crafted balance spring.

The dial side of the piece features a finely trained white round dial and blued steel dauphine hands. The day/night indicator can be found at the eleven o’clock position and the seconds are displayed via a graduated disc rotating at the same cadence as the Gyrotourbillon. A small blue arrow is served to track and read the indication. A hand crafted guilloche pattern can be found on the sides and watch cradle.

As with all things Reverso, there are two sides to the story. The flip reveals a full view of the open work movement and the artistry of the Manufacturer’s hand engravers and artisans as their designs can be found along the bridges of the Gyrotourbillon. The slenderness of the piece adds to the difficulty the artisans are tasked with and demonstrates there skill. The flip also reveals a dual time display, a day/night indicator in 24 hour mode and a small seconds hand driven by the tourbillon. The Reverso Tribute Gyrotourbillon in the  limited-edition platinum version (remember, just 75 pieces) retails for about 270,000 Euros.