A New Shade Of Time: The Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 In Black And Gold

Few watches capture the poetry of motion and mechanical ingenuity quite like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Born in 1931 from a practical need to survive polo matches on dusty Indian fields it has evolved into a timeless icon of design and engineering. In 2025, the Maison unveils a new interpretation of its most intricate creation, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179, now reimagined in deep black lacquer framed by a warm pink gold case. Limited to just 10 pieces, it’s an extraordinary display of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s twin obsessions: artistic mastery and mechanical excellence.

At its heart lies the Calibre 179, the fourth evolution of the brand’s signature Gyrotourbillon. This double-axis marvel comprises 123 components and showcases an ultra-light titanium inner cage that completes a 360° rotation every 16 seconds. Around it, a peripheral carriage rotates once per minute, each motion creating a hypnotic dance that speaks to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s relentless pursuit of precision. The flying Gyrotourbillon, suspended by a ring of ball bearings rather than a conventional bridge, appears to float freely between the front and reverse dials a feat of horological architecture that merges art with physics. 

Supporting this is a semi-spherical balance spring and the Maison’s distinctive Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’, whose double-anchor shape ensures enhanced mechanical efficiency. Together, they encapsulate nearly two decades of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s research into tourbillon innovation. And like all Hybris Artistica creations, the movement doesn’t just measure time it elevates it to art.

The decorative mastery behind this edition is equally impressive. Crafted from 18K pink gold (750/1000), the bridges and decorative plates are laser-cut with 200 tiny hollows, each meticulously filled by hand with black or grey lacquer by a single craftsman one of only three in the Manufacture capable of performing such work. After layering the lacquer to the perfect depth, the surface is polished by hand until it sits seamlessly flush with the fine ribs of gold that remain. The result is a play of light and shadow that feels unmistakably Art Deco yet utterly modern.

On the front dial, the lattice of gold ribs and black lacquer evokes the geometric lines of 1930s design a subtle nod to the era that gave birth to the Reverso. On the reverse side, a skeletonised hours-minutes ring takes centre stage, its bridges highlighted by black lacquer against the soft, micro-blasted textures of the movement beneath. It’s a masterclass in contrast: warm and cool, solid and open, technical and tactile. Laser skeletonisation and hand chamfering meet traditional lacquer techniques, reaffirming Jaeger-LeCoultre’s belief that innovation and heritage can coexist in perfect balance.

The case, true to the Reverso’s signature rectilinear form, conceals remarkable complexity within its harmonious proportions. Its signature slide-and-swivel mechanism once created to protect the dial from polo mallets remains as smooth and precise as ever. Inside the cradle, a deeply engraved sunray motif radiates from a central black lacquer disc, further emphasising the collection’s devotion to detail. Despite housing a movement of 382 components, the case maintains a slim, elegant profile of just 13.63 mm, ensuring comfort as well as grandeur on the wrist.

Even the buckle receives its share of engineering attention. Crafted in 18K pink gold and weighing nearly 30 grams, it features an innovative double-wheel folding mechanism comprising 46 components. The system allows for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5 mm proof that at Jaeger-LeCoultre, no element is too small for precision.

Ultimately, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 in black lacquer is a statement of mastery both artistic and technical. It embodies the 180 métiers united under one roof at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufacture in the Vallée de Joux, where artisans and watchmakers work side by side to create horological poetry. A fusion of movement, light, and geometry, this black-lacquered marvel reminds us why the Reverso remains one of the most beautiful expressions of Art Deco design and one of watchmaking’s greatest icons of all time.