In early March 1931, the Paris patent office received an application to register “a watch capable of sliding in its support and being completely turned over”.
The idea of a flippable case came from Swiss businessman César de Trey, after a British army officer and polo player in India asked him to find a way to protect his watch during matches.
René-Alfred Chauvot was tasked to design a robust case, and de Trey registered the name Reverso in November of the same year.
His partnership with Jacques-David LeCoultre led to the production of the Art Deco style Reverso, which became one the world’s most recognisable wristwatches.
In collaboration with publisher Assouline, Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched the richly illustrated book