Jaeger-LeCoultre

This elegant Reverso à Éclipses was part of a series of eight models titled Nus Célèbres, or “Famous Nudes.” Each model in this series showcases a meticulously hand-painted Grand Feu enamel rendition of renowned artworks, including masterpieces by luminaries such as Renoir, Klimt, Botticelli, Ingres, and even a scene from the Kama Sutra. The present lot is numbered 3/3 and is adorned with Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’s illustrious composition, The Turkish Bath, encased in platinum.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s iconic Reverso was originally conceived as a solution to protect the watch crystal from the rigors of the polo field. Its ingenious design allowed players to turn, or “reverse,” the dial to the caseback, shielding the glass from impact. Beyond its practical function, the reversible case also offered a canvas for personalization on the otherwise blank reverse side.

The Reverso à Éclipses elevates this tradition. In this iteration, the enamel artwork graces the dial itself, concealed behind a unique rolling shutter mechanism. While retaining the hallmark swivel case functionality, this system allows the wearer three distinct views of the exquisitely hand-painted dial. At the heart of this timepiece is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s revered in-house enamel workshop, reflecting the brand’s unwavering commitment to artisanal craftsmanship. Each miniature masterpiece is painstakingly brought to life through the intricate art of enamel painting, meticulously fired at high temperatures by the skilled hands of master enameler Miklós Merczel.