Introducing Jaeger-LeCoultre Releases the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 in white gold

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of those names that hardly needs an introduction. It is an icon with a long history and a clear impact on the rise of some brands, as it has been producing their movements for years. The moment you hear it, chances are you’re picturing a Reverso, and honestly, who could blame you? This iconic watch has been on an incredible journey, admired by generations. What the brand has poured into it, from design to marketing, is nothing short of inspiring.

The Reverso’s story kicked off in 1931 when polo-playing military officers in India needed a watch tough enough to survive the game. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s answer was a genius double-sided case with sleek Art Deco lines, a design so timeless it’s now one of the most recognizable watches in the world. By the 1990s, the brand took things up a notch by adding high complications, ultimately leading to the Calibre 179, released in 2023 in pink gold.

Fast forward to this year’s Watches and Wonders, and Jaeger-LeCoultre is back at it again. Among a lineup of seriously impressive timepieces is the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179, now dressed in a stunning 18k white gold case.

The case measures 51.1 x 31 mm, with a thickness of 13.63 mm. The front dial serves as the main display, showcasing time with traditional gold hands for hours and minutes set against a blue lacquer dial with white gold indices. The small seconds are indicated uniquely by the rotating outer carriage of the Gyrotourbillon, completing a full circle every 60 seconds.

On the reverse dial, dedicated to the second time zone, you'll see a skeletonized dial with gold hands sweeping over a blue-lacquered ring marked with indices. A 24-hour subdial at the top-right corner helps distinguish between day and night, using a dedicated hand to point to numerals (1-12 twice) for clear AM/PM indication. This side also offers a glimpse of the Gyrotourbillon from the back, with its mesmerizing spin still visible, also with the small seconds display.

At The heart of this marvel is the fourth evolution of the patented Gyrotourbillon. This multi-axis tourbillon integrates seamlessly into the rectangular Reverso case, a feat made even more remarkable by its slim profile. The manually wound Calibre 179 operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offers 40 hours of power reserve.

A traditional tourbillon is designed to counteract the effects of gravity by rotating the escapement and balance wheel on a single axis, thus improving timekeeping precision. The Gyrotourbillon takes this concept a step further by rotating on multiple axes, significantly enhancing accuracy. The inner cage, made of lightweight titanium, completes a full 360° rotation every 16 seconds. Surrounding it is the outer carriage, which rotates once per minute and doubles as a small seconds indicator. This flying construction is mounted on ball bearings instead of a traditional bridge, giving the appearance of the tourbillon floating between the dials. The movement also has a hemispherical balance spring, a rare, three-dimensional hairspring designed to perfectly adapt to the hollow sphere at the heart of the Gyrotourbillon.

What makes this complication truly exceptional is its complexity. As the Gyrotourbillon itself consists of 123 meticulously crafted components. Even more impressive is the fact that this intricate mechanism fits inside the slim rectangular case of the Reverso, a remarkable engineering achievement.

The watch comes with a blue alligator leather strap with an 18k white gold adjustable folding buckle. It is limited to 10 pieces, and priced at EUR 520,000, which is approxamilty AED 2,070,000.

For more information, you can visit Jaeger-LeCoultre’s official website.