The New Jaeger-LeCoultre Reversos Feature Miniature Reproductions of Claude Monet’s Paintings of Venice

Watchmakers often create limited-edition or custom-made timepieces to honour specific places. By incorporating exquisite enamel decorations into dials, these watches become more than just timepieces — they are artistic homage to the cities or towns they represent. Take the three just-launched limited-edition (each limited to only 10 pieces) Reverso Tribute Enamel novelties, which will be on display at the Homo Faber Biennial exhibition in Venice this month. With these variants, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be paying tribute to the host city. Each piece's caseback has a small reproduction of one of Claude Monet's Venice paintings, reinforcing Reverso's status as an excellent canvas for creative expression. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a signature timepiece that was introduced in 1931; it was primarily reserved for British polo players in India. The Reverso's main feature is its reversible case, which allows the wearer to flip the watch face over to protect the dial from possible damage during polo matches. The Reverso's Art Deco style, clean lines, and rectangular casing have established it as a timeless classic. Over the years, the Vallée de Joux-based timepiece maker has introduced several variations ranging from simple, elegant models to more complex versions with features such as dual time zone, moon phase, and tourbillon. 

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San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk

The first timepiece in the collection is Reverso Tribute Enamel Monet – San Giorgio Maggiore (Ref. Q39334M4). It is dedicated to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, located opposite St Mark's Square, which was chosen as the backdrop for the Homo Faber Biennial. This vista, painted as the sun fell behind the island, focuses on light, colours, and reflections, reducing the buildings to a silhouette that anchors the composition.

The miniature copy of Monet's famous artwork took around 70 hours of diligent craftsmanship. The dial is decorated with Grand feu enamel with a blue tint that complements the colours of the sky depicted on the caseback painting. The herringbone guilloché pattern is made up of 120 individual lines, each of which takes three lathe passages for a total of 360. 

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The Grand Canal Venice

This vista across the Reverso Tribute Enamel Monet – the Grand Canal (Ref. Q39334M5) was painted in the afternoon. The church of Santa Maria della Salute appears to float on the lake, with architectural elements dissolved by the hazy light. The caseback that reproduces this classic took nearly 70 hours of enamelling effort. 

The flowing hand-guilloché design on the dial, which required eight hours of laborious work, replicates the reflections on the water's surface seen in Monet's picture. The visual effect of the waves is enhanced by layers of translucent Grand feu enamel in a gentle green that complements the sea.

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The Doge’s Palace

This image on the Reverso Tribute Enamel Monet - the Doges' Palace was taken from a gondola in the centre of the Grand Canal at 8 a.m.; it captures the influence of dawn light on the lake. The enameller at Jaeger-LeCoultre worked for approximately 70 hours to replicate the image’s sparkling magnificence. The lozenge guilloché design on the dial produces continually shifting effects of light and shade when turned at different angles, recalling Monet's concern with the effect of light on water at different times of the day.

The geometric pattern, enhanced by rich layers of translucent blue Grand feu enamel, consists of 981 lines, each requiring five lathe passages. This highly skilled task, which includes 4,905 hand-operated lathe passages, took 8 hours to get completed. The 45.6 mm 18 ct white gold watches get dials with appliqué hour markers and Dauphine hands that show only hours and minutes; the seconds hand has been removed from the collection. Powering the collection is manual winding Calibre 822 with a 42-hour power reserve. The three watches are finished on black alligator straps.