Nov 22, 2024

Presenting The Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘SNAKE’

In honour of the 2025 Chinese New Year, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’. Made only to order and in limited numbers, the new timepiece is a fine showcase for the talents of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

A unique canvas for artistic expression

When the Reverso was created in 1931, its signature swivelling case was conceived as an ingenious functional solution to the problem of protecting the dial and glass of the watch when worn on the polo field. However, as it was adopted by tastemakers from all walks of life, the Reverso transcended its original sporting purpose and it quickly became apparent that its blank metal of the case back was an ideal canvas for artistic expression, offering limitless potential for decoration with engraving, enamel and other crafts.

For 2025 La Grande Maison adds a new chapter to this continuing story of craftsmanship and artistry with the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’. The third in a series paying homage to the Chinese Zodiac – following the years of the Tiger and Dragon – the new timepiece is an ode to the animal that represents longevity, wisdom and mystery, according to traditional Chinese wisdom.

Celebrating the crafts of engraving and Grand Feu enamelling

Turning the watch case to its reverse side reveals a striking, hand-engraved snake emerging powerfully from a wreath of golden clouds (750/1000), set against a background of glossy black Grand Feu enamel. The polished surfaces of the snake’s body, the fine details of its scales – which are hand-drawn with black rhodium – and the contrasting sandblasted texture of the clouds catch and refract the light to enhance the illusion of movement.

To maximise the sense of volume and depth, the master engraver used a technique called modelled engraving, an exacting skill that requires absolute focus and remarkable dexterity. Adding to the challenge, the engraver’s work began not, as is usual, with a bare metal surface but with one that already had its coat of Grand Feu enamel, thus requiring an unprecedented accuracy of gesture to avoid all risk of damage to the pristine enamel. Using 10 differently sized chisels to sculpt the metal step by step, the engraver devoted 80 hours to the creation of this masterpiece.

The dial of the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’ features the same glossy black Grand Feu enamel as the case-back. The elegant, Art Deco-inspired simplicity of the signature Reverso Tribute dial, with its faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track and Dauphine hands, places full value on the beauty of the glowing black background.

The apparent simplicity of the pure black enamel is deceptive because in Grand Feu enamelling, the outcome of the firing process is never entirely predictable. To create a black of such depth and richness requires five or six layers of enamel, with each new layer followed by firing and cooling – representing no less than 24 working hours (16 hours for the case-back and eight hours for the dial) over the course of many days. This was followed by half a day of polishing to achieve a perfect, uniform shine. That the two surfaces are perfectly matched in colour and purity is testament to a degree of skill that can be acquired only through many years of experience. Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of very few watch Manufactures to have its own in-house enamelling atelier, safeguarding and advancing this ancient craft.

Created to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’ is testament to La Grande Maison’s vision of culture and creativity, where the artistic crafts live in perfect harmony with the technical expertise of the Manufacture’s watchmakers.