Born in 1931, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has become one of the most recognisable models of the firm. In commemoration of its 60th anniversary, a limited series of six models was released within a decade, each housing one of the great classical complications. Along with these complications came updated case sizes and a sapphire crystal caseback, which provided a window onto the mechanical marvel within. As the 21st-century advances, the Reverso continues to be a showcase for Jaeger-LeCoultre’s constant quest for technical creativity.
Introduced in 2000 in a limited edition of 500 pieces in pink gold, the present Reverso Quantième Perpétuel is numbered 35/500 and was the 6th and final chapter for this series of large-size pink gold Reversos with complications fitted. It incorporates one of the most appreciated and historical complications in watchmaking: the almighty perpetual calendar. As often happens with complicated Reverso timepieces, the second dial is completely dedicated to the complication, featuring a central moon phase aperture surrounded on three sides by the retrograde date track.
Two smaller, specular subsidiary counters in the lower part of the dial inform about the month and day of the week. The overall design of the dial is supremely legible and balanced, an effect achievable thanks to the fact that the time indication is on the main dial. In fact, the main dial does have a calendar feature: the leap year cycle indication. While one might expect to find the more useful date indication, Jaeger-leCoultre decided to feature the leap year on the main display, so that those that know what they are looking at would immediately understand to be in the presence of a perpetual calendar.
Not all companies in the watchmaking field have been able to stand the test of time quite like Jaeger LeCoultre, also known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker." Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre and originally named LeCoutre, the firm provided watchmaking's top brands, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, the high-grade, unfinished mechanical movements with which they completed their watches.
In the early 1900s, Cartier's watch supplier Edmond Jaeger sought out LeCoultre's help in creating the world's thinnest watches. The collaboration resulted in the creation of Cartier's earliest Tank and Santos watches, all housed with LeCoultre movements. The duo decided to merge in 1937, and the firm officially became the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand by which collectors know and adore it today. Some of the firm's most significant and important timepieces include the Reverso, the Memovox, the Atmos clock and, among modern watches, their Master Complications.