Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’
A Majestic Homage To The Crafts Of Enameling And Engraving
Acknowledged as a brilliant solution for safeguarding the watch’s dial and glass during polo matches, the distinctive swiveling case of the Reverso, introduced in 1931, swiftly transcended from its initial sporting purpose to gaining likeability among tastemakers across diverse spheres of life. To provide boundless opportunities to create timepieces of extraordinary beauty, it soon became evident that the blank metal surface of the case back presented an ideal canvas for artistic endeavors.
In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre added a compelling chapter to this narrative of artistry and craftsmanship with the unveiling of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon.’ This extraordinary timepiece pays homage to the Year of the Dragon, showcasing the unparalleled skills of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. An enchanting scene unfolds upon swiveling the watch case to its reverse side, – a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds. Intricately engraved into the pink gold case metal, the dragon appears to leap from the glossy black Grand Feu enamel background. The polished surfaces of the dragon’s body, the meticulous scales highlighted with black rhodium, and the contrasting sandblasted texture of the clouds capture and refract light, enhancing the illusion of movement and power.
In the sense of amplifying the volume and depth, the master engraver employs the comprehensive technique of modelled engraving, a skill demanding unwavering focus and exceptional dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work commences not with a bare metal surface, as customary, but with one already coated in Grand Feu enamel, ensuring unprecedented precision to avoid any risk of damaging the pristine enamel. Utilizing 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal incrementally, the master engraver dedicates 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’
A Majestic Homage To The Crafts Of Enameling And Engraving
Acknowledged as a brilliant solution for safeguarding the watch’s dial and glass during polo matches, the distinctive swiveling case of the Reverso, introduced in 1931, swiftly transcended from its initial sporting purpose to gaining likeability among tastemakers across diverse spheres of life. To provide boundless opportunities to create timepieces of extraordinary beauty, it soon became evident that the blank metal surface of the case back presented an ideal canvas for artistic endeavors.
In 2023, Jaeger-LeCoultre added a compelling chapter to this narrative of artistry and craftsmanship with the unveiling of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon.’ This extraordinary timepiece pays homage to the Year of the Dragon, showcasing the unparalleled skills of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. An enchanting scene unfolds upon swiveling the watch case to its reverse side, – a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds. Intricately engraved into the pink gold case metal, the dragon appears to leap from the glossy black Grand Feu enamel background. The polished surfaces of the dragon’s body, the meticulous scales highlighted with black rhodium, and the contrasting sandblasted texture of the clouds capture and refract light, enhancing the illusion of movement and power.
In the sense of amplifying the volume and depth, the master engraver employs the comprehensive technique of modelled engraving, a skill demanding unwavering focus and exceptional dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work commences not with a bare metal surface, as customary, but with one already coated in Grand Feu enamel, ensuring unprecedented precision to avoid any risk of damaging the pristine enamel. Utilizing 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal incrementally, the master engraver dedicates 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.
The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel mirrors the case-back, featuring the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel. The Reverso Tribute dial, adorned with faceted appliqué hour-markers, a chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands, elegantly highlights the radiant black background, emphasizing the intrinsic beauty of the timepiece. The seemingly straightforward elegance of the pure black enamel is misleading, as the Grand Feu enameling process yields inherently unpredictable results. Crafting a black of profound depth and opulence necessitates the meticulous application of five or six enamel layers, with each layer subjected to firing and cooling. This intricate process unfolds over an extensive timeframe, requiring no less than 24 working hours (16 for the case-back and eight for the dial) spread across several days. Following this, an additional half day is dedicated to the precision polishing essential for achieving a flawlessly uniform shine.
The perfect color and purity match between the two surfaces stand as a testament to the extraordinary level of skill acquired through years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre distinguishes itself as one of the very few watch manufactures with an in-house enameling atelier, preserving and advancing this time-honored craft. Tailored exclusively to order and crafted to commemorate the Chinese Zodiac Year, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ epitomizes La Grande Maison’s commitment to a harmonious blend of cultural and creative expressions, seamlessly intertwining the artisanal crafts with the technical mastery of the manufacturer’s watchmakers.
To explore the latest Jaeger-LeCoultre novelties, visit our Swiss Watch boutiques – the official retailer of Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces.
The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel mirrors the case-back, featuring the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel. The Reverso Tribute dial, adorned with faceted appliqué hour-markers, a chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands, elegantly highlights the radiant black background, emphasizing the intrinsic beauty of the timepiece. The seemingly straightforward elegance of the pure black enamel is misleading, as the Grand Feu enameling process yields inherently unpredictable results. Crafting a black of profound depth and opulence necessitates the meticulous application of five or six enamel layers, with each layer subjected to firing and cooling. This intricate process unfolds over an extensive timeframe, requiring no less than 24 working hours (16 for the case-back and eight for the dial) spread across several days. Following this, an additional half day is dedicated to the precision polishing essential for achieving a flawlessly uniform shine. The perfect color and purity match between the two surfaces stand as a testament to the extraordinary level of skill acquired through years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre distinguishes itself as one of the very few watch manufactures with an in-house enameling atelier, preserving and advancing this time-honored craft. Tailored exclusively to order and crafted to commemorate the Chinese Zodiac Year, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ epitomizes La Grande Maison’s commitment to a harmonious blend of cultural and creative expressions, seamlessly intertwining the artisanal crafts with the technical mastery of the manufacturer’s watchmakers.
To explore the latest Jaeger-LeCoultre novelties, visit our Swiss Watch boutiques – the official retailer of Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces.
