Jaeger-LeCoultre has opened the doors to the "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" showcase at its brand boutique at Marina Bay Sands, giving visitors a look into the the history of the Reverso timepiece.
The retrospective of one of the watchmaking's greatest legends makes its debut here in Singapore for the very first time in South-East Asia, and will then travel to Thailand and Australia next.
It has been ninety years since the emblematic Reverso was born. A unique and timeless expression of the Art Deco movement, the legend of the Reverso began on the polo fields of India, where the idea of a case that could be flipped over was born. With its revolutionary design and immaculate craftsmanship, the Reverso was immediately embraced by trendsetters from all walks of life, quickly transcending its original purpose. Deftly combining form and function, it is one of the most recognisable watches in the world.
The Reverso Stories explores the creative and cultural universe of this exceptional design through four themes, leading visitors on a journey through 90 years of timeless modernity.
The journey begins with the Story of an Icon, retelling the tale of the Reverso's origins through a selection of milestone Reverso watches, from the first 1931 model to the latest Reverso Tribute piece.
A Story of Style & Design examines the Art Deco roots of the Reverso. Visitors will discover how, following the principles of Art Deco design, the distinctive rectangular form of the watch was dictated by the original concept – that the case should flip over. An artfully curated selection of timepieces for both men and women traces the stylistic changes through which, over the course of nine decades, the Reverso has gained the status of a design icon.
The Story of Craftsmanship celebrates the skills of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enamellers, gem-setters, engravers and guillochage masters, revealing how they have unleashed the full potential of the Reverso as a canvas for artistic expression and personalised messages.
A Story of Innovation explores how the Reverso embodies Jaeger-LeCoultre's eternally inventive quest for technical advancement. Beginning with the revolutionary idea of a case that could be flipped over, to the ingenious design by Rene-Alfred Chauvot, patented in 1931, the story traces the introduction of high-watchmaking complications, such as the first rectangular minute repeater, a unique retrograde chronograph and the Gyrotourbillon, the invention of the double-face and dual-time concept, and the use of new materials.
Visitors will also be able to discover a traditional decoration technique, the Perlage, also called circular graining, by practicing it at the Boutique Retrospective. This finishing technique consists of juxtaposing small circles to embellish the movement’s main plate, for example. The gesture must truly be mastered since, depending on the pressure exerted, the final rendering of the pearls may be different.
The "Reverso: Timeless Stories Since 1931" retrospective is free, as the slots are limited, guests are invited to register their attendance through the link here
The retrospective is open to public booking from 23 to 30 January 2022 at:
Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique Marina Bay Sands
Casino Level, B2M-240
From 11.00 am – 8.00 pm.
