REVERSO STORIES EXHIBITION

The Reverso Stories Exhibition explores the creative and cultural universe of this exceptional design through four themes, leading visitors on a journey through 90 years of timeless modernity.

Discover our audio guide to learn more on our Maison and the exhibited Reverso watches.

The journey begins with the Story of an Icon, retelling the tale of the Reverso’s origins through rarely seen archive materials and heritage documents from the Jaeger-LeCoultre collection, and a selection of milestone Reverso watches, from the first 1931 model to the latest Reverso Tribute piece. A specially commissioned film transports the viewer inside the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, tracing each step in the creation of a Reverso through the words of the artisans and watchmakers themselves.

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.

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 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. From historic timepieces, such as those belonging to Amelia Earhart and General Douglas MacArthur, to modern-day High Jewellery and miniature-painted models, these pieces provide special insight into how the Reverso has itself been telling the stories of its owners and will continue to do so for many years to come.

At the heart of the exhibition, visitors will encounter Spacetime, a new art installation from the artist Michael Murphy. For those viewing Spacetime, its fascination lies in the subjective experience of moving around the work, observing its changing form as it coalesces from apparently random complexity into a vision of one of the world’s most recognisable timepieces. In this new work, Michael Murphy has captured the beauty and precision of time-keeping and time-making in an original and uniquely fascinating way.

At the end of the Exhibition, visitors will experience 1931 Café, a quintessential expression of Art Deco style paying homage to Reverso the icon of Art Deco design.
Completing the design of 1931 Café, a special collection of cakes and pastries has been created by French Chef Nina Métayer, inviting guests to experience the world through different flavours, as well as to enjoy pastry that has been elevated to a finely handcrafted art form.
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