The Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre's most distinctive watch, certainly has an impressive pedigree. 

Essentially one of the first sports watches, the Reverso combined utility with a sleek and elegant Art Deco exterior that has become an icon of horological design. But in the case of the Reverso, looks deceive.

Though the Reverso appears at first glance a dress watch, it owes its existence to the gentlemanly sport of polo. While touring India in the early 1930s, Swiss businessman César de Trey met a British polo player who'd just cracked the crystal of his watch on the field. De Trey returned to Switzerland with an idea already taken root in his head, which he then discussed with Jacques-David LeCoultre: what if a watch could be made with a case that could reverse?

The patent was placed in 1931, and the first Reverso that followed measured 38mm in length, 24mm in width. Jaeger-LeCoultre also released the Reverso in gold, and decorated the case back with engravings or even miniatures. 

But with changing tastes in the 1970s — for round watches as well as quartz movements — Jaeger-LeCoultre ceased production of the Reverso. The model lay dormant for years until its triumphant re-issue in 1982. While those watches contained quartz movements, their success represented a future for the Reverso — which has since returned to its previous tentpole status within the greater JLC lineup.

The particular Reverso we have here was released in 2011 to commemorate 80 years of the model. With a new ultra-thin construction, while retaining the signature reversible case, this piece is finished in stainless steel and features a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a simple black dial applied luminous indices and a matching luminous 'sword' handset.

That's it. Simple.

Powered by the hand-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822, it comes paired to a lovely black alligator leather strap with a signed pin buckle.

No reverso has stirred the hearts of collectors the way the Tribute to 1931 has. Coupling superior vintage looks reminiscent of the original, a high grade manual-winding movement, and a universally admired design in a new ultra-thin case design.

In terms of elegant design and horological prowess, this watch punches way above its weight class, and simply cannot be overlooked.