ELEGANT BURGUNDY
At the 2019 SIHH, the company known as the “Grande Maison” introduced a number of new watches, including a sublime Reverso dressed from the dial to the strap in a luminous burgundy red.
Of all the watches introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre at the SIHH this year, this watch has probably been talked about least, since all our attention was focused on the mechanical prowess shown by the Vallée de Joux watchmakers in a complex model including a gyrotourbillon and a minute repeater. And yet, the discreet elegance of the burgundy red Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is well worth a closer look. Even better is when you can wear it on your wrist and savour the intensity of the colour and the comfortable feel of the iconic rectangular case.
The watch is only being sold in the brand’s network of stores. The case is made of steel and measures exactly 45.6 by 27.4mm and is 8.5mm thick. This setting with a “full” case back, with room for an engraving (name, date or a message of love), contains the calibre 822/2, a hand-wound mechanical movement running at a gentle frequency of 21,600 vibrations an hour and providing a power reserve of 45 hours.
And the best is saved for last: the burgundy dial with a sunburst finish is breathtakingly beautiful. Two silver-coloured, dauphine-type hands display the hours and minutes against a series of hour markers and a minute track painted white. The seconds are shown in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
For the calf-leather strap, also coloured burgundy red and rounded off by a folding clasp, Jaeger-LeCoultre has again called on the craftsmanship and talent of the bootmaker Casa Fagliano. The result? Not only is the colour magnificent, but the crafted leather is incredibly soft and supple.
Price: 8,100 CHF www.jaeger-lecoultre.com
By Sharmila Bertin