In the fascinating world of haute horlogerie, very few timepieces manage to perfectly balance mechanical excellence with the most sublime decorative artistry. Today, on our blog, we take a look at one of the most dazzling new releases—paying tribute to both the artistic crafts and technical innovation: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus.
Strictly limited to five pieces, this edition is a true work of art for the wrist. Here is why this timepiece is destined to become a legend.
The Reverso legacy
To understand the magnitude of this new creation, one must look back to the birth of an icon. The Reverso design was originally conceived in 1931 with a highly practical purpose: to protect the watch crystal from hard knocks during polo matches played by British Army officers in India. Its rectilinear contours, which masterfully capture the elegant geometry of the Art Déco era, quickly became a timeless symbol and secured it an undisputed place in the pantheon of the most iconic watch designs in history.
Miniature art, the legend of Pegasus
With an elegant nod to the watch’s equestrian origins, this new edition “takes flight” thanks to an exceptional 18-carat rose gold swivelling case, sculpted by the artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares workshop.
The main inspiration behind this jewel is Pegasus, the mythical winged horse of Greek mythology, which has been hand-engraved in high relief along the sides of the case. The figure of Pegasus contrasts dramatically against a dreamlike backdrop of clouds that extends to the fixed lugs of the case (cleverly concealing the sliding and rotating mechanism). This dynamic cloud motif is also echoed on the front dial, where 50 recesses have been hollowed out and hand-filled with different, deep shades of blue lacquer.
When the case is flipped over, the watch reveals a skeletonised view of the mechanism, once again framed by hand-bevelled bridges that incorporate this sublime blue lacquer finish, thus unveiling the secrets of the Duoface movement that enables a second time-zone display.
Reversible tourbillon
Beyond the exterior craftsmanship, the heart of this Reverso is the hand-wound Calibre 179, which brings to life an unparalleled technical marvel: the Gyrotourbillon.
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s famous multi-axis tourbillon debuted in 2004, but it was in 2008 that it was successfully adapted to fit within the rectangular space of a Reverso case. Today, this feat holds the distinction of being the only reversible tourbillon on the market.
The large aperture at 6 o’clock, visible from both sides of the watch, allows one to admire this hypnotic dance. The bi-axial tourbillon rotates within an ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball bearings. While the inner cage completes a full rotation every 16 seconds, the peripheral carriage makes one revolution per minute (also serving as the seconds indicator). All of this is designed to minimise air friction and maximise precision, while simultaneously reflecting light on a mirror-polished disc to amplify the visual spectacle.
Exclusivity
As one would expect for a creation of this magnitude (with 385 components in its movement), the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus is reserved for the most discerning collectors, as it is limited to 5 pieces worldwide.