Introducing Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179
- wgclients01
- Nov 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Initially created in 2023, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 epitomises the philosophy of the Hybris collection, uniting the mechanical excellence of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature multi-axis tourbillon with intricate and sophisticated artistic decoration carried out by the Manufacture’s craftsmen. In 2025, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents a new interpretation of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 with black hand-lacquered dials on both front and reverse sides complemented by a pink gold case. The new timepiece will be produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces.
REINTERPRETED IN BLACK LACQUER WITH A PINK GOLD CASE
KEY FACTS:
Watchmaking excellence: Gyrotourbillon with 123 components, inner cage rotating 360° every 16 seconds, peripheral carriage rotating once per minute
Innovative double-wheel mechanism adjustable buckle: folding buckle with 46 components, weighing nearly 30 grams, adjustable to 0.5mm
Hybris Artistica: the decorative plates and bridges, made of pink gold (18K, 750/1000), are laser cut to create 200 hollows, which are then lacquered by 1 single craftsman per timepiece – an art only mastered by 3 craftsmen in the Manufacture
MECHANICAL INGENUITY: TWO TIME ZONES AND A MULTI-AXIS TOURBILLON
Created in 1931, the Reverso was designed in response to challenge set by polo-playing military officers in India to create a watch that could withstand the rigours of the polo field. As new variations appeared – for both men and women – the Reverso soon transcended its original sporting purpose and became one of the world’s most recognisable wristwatches. In the 1990s, as Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced high complications to the Reverso, it created the Duoface movement (patented in 1994), which displays a different time zone on each dial.
As well as incorporating the Duoface mechanism, Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the Gyrotourbillon, the Manufacture’s signature multi-axis tourbillon developed specifically for the Reverso. An ultra-light titanium inner cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball-bearings turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds: the inner tourbillon cage rotates 360 degrees every 16 seconds and the peripheral carriage rotates once per minute. A semi-spherical balance spring and the distinctive double-anchor shape of the Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’ pay testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pursuit of precision and mechanical efficiency. Supported by a ring of ball bearings rather than a conventional bridge, the flying Gyrotourbillon appears to be floating in space between the front and back dials.
A NEW COLOUR PALETTE: SHOWCASING THE SKILLS OF THE MANUFACTURE’S CRAFTSMEN
With echoes of the monochromatic palettes of the Art Deco period, the new black and grey colour palette of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 creates a rich contrast with the 18K pink gold case (750/1000), bridges and decorative plates. With its double-sided, Duoface movement, this Reverso offers two distinct personalities.
On the front dial, in a subtle allusion to the geometric patterns of Art Deco that determined the original Reverso design, the decorative plates and bridges feature a lattice of fine lines that match the colour of the precious metal case. The lines are in fact ultra-fine ribs of the pink gold calibre plate metal, which remained when the surface was hollowed out by laser to create the 200 depressions that contain the lacquer. The black and grey lacquers were deftly hand-applied between the metal ribs to achieve the desired richness of colours and exactly the right depth; the surface is then polished by hand by to a glossy finish that is perfectly flush with the ribs.
On the reverse dial, black lacquer highlights the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, emphasising the airy aesthetic and contrasting with the warm tones of various movement components and the soft texture of the micro-blasting.
The decoration on the reverse dial blends technology and tradition – with laser skeletonisation, hand chamfering and hand-applied lacquer – affirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s deep commitment to tradition while seeking innovative approaches to the art and science of horology.
A TIMELESS ICON: A PURE EXPRESSION OF ART DECO DESIGN
Instantly recognisable, the rectilinear geometry and harmonious proportions of the Reverso case belie the complexity of the signature slide-and-swivel mechanism. The inside of the cradle is decorated with a deeply engraved sunray pattern that radiates out from a black lacquer disc. The strong Art Deco lines, emphasised by the signature gadroons above and below the dial, provide a perfect foil for the intricate decoration of the two dials of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179.
Comprising 382 components, Calibre 179 is highly complex, yet the case remains both elegant and effortlessly comfortable, with an overall thickness of just 13.63 mm. Crafted in 18K pink gold (750/1000), and weighing nearly 30 grams, the adjustable and patented folding buckle of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 incorporates a double-wheel system that allows for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm.
Crafted for connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre – a remarkable collaboration between watchmakers and artisans who are at the peak of their craft.