Inspired by the Latin word which means 'I Turn Around', the Reverso was launched in 1931 as a timepiece that was capable of surviving a game of polo. Designed by René-Alfred Chauvot, a French engineer at Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Reverso's reversible case was crafted in a way so as to be able to protect the dial and the glass of the watch. With that, its caseback became the perfect canvas for showcasing creativity and personalisation. In its newest form, this caseback plays host to an engraved tiger leaping out from an enamelled background, in the Reverso Tribute Enamel 'Tiger'.

With 2022 being the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar, the Reverso Tribute Enamel 'Tiger' (Ref Q39324K1) features a roaring tiger engraved into its pink gold case. Set against a black opaque Grand Feu enamel background, it is a theme that extends to the dial of the timepiece as well, with applied indexes, and hands and hour markers in pink gold. 

The highlight of this 45.5mm x 27.4mm x 9.7mm watch is the craftmanship, done by Jaeger-LeCoultre's in-house enamelling atelier. The enamel layers are built up to create a black of depth; each new layer is followed by firing, and ensuring that the layer does not crack and remains smooth is key. The enamelling of both the dial and its reverse required no less than 20 working hours.

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The tiger has been engraved on this enamelled dial, using the 'modelled engraving' technique, where different sized chisels are used to sculpt the metal step by step. The making of this watch requires immense accuracy and precision to avoid any damage to the enamel, taking close to 55 working hours to create. Furthermore, the tiger’s coat has been given a polished effect, and the contrasting texture of its stripes rhodium-brushed. 

The dial side features the same deep black enamelling, on which feature faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands. This watch is powered by a manually wound Calibre 822A/2 and gets a 42-hour power reserve and a water resistance of 30 metres. The watch comes with a black alligator strap with a folding clasp. This one-of-a-kind watch is made to order. The Reverso Tribute Enamel 'Tiger also offers a possibility of customisation with different enamel colours.

All images: Courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre