Created by Jacques-David LeCoultre in 1931, the Reverso was initially conceived to withstand the harsh beating a watch would endure during a game of polo. With the need for the watch to be more durable, the Reverso's genius reveals itself through its eponymous design—a reversible case. With its case able to be turned around on itself, the Reverso's dial can be protected while playing sports and returned to its natural position with a quick flick and slide. Thanks to its iconic heritage, the Reverso has evolved into one of Jaeger LeCoultre's most important design vehicles to date, with a healthy number of contemporary variations to suit the palate of modern enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
For context, 2016 marked two significant milestones in Kuwait’s history—the 55th anniversary of its independence from British protection in 1961 and the 25th anniversary of its liberation, marking the end of the Gulf War in 1991. To commemorate these important occasions, Jaeger-LeCoultre released two exclusive versions of the Grande Reverso 976: one in rose gold, limited to 25 pieces, and the stainless steel version offered here, limited to only 55 pieces.
Arguably, the most distinctive feature of this 278.8.56 is its lustrous green dial. It features all the hallmarks and aesthetic codes of the historical Reverso from the 1930s alongside some contemporary design touches such as its stunning vertical guilloché decoration in the centre, highly sober and refined Arabic numerals, as well as a pair of elegant sword-shaped hands. At 5:00, a scarlet red ‘55’ replaces the usual ‘5’, subtly yet powerfully signifying Kuwait’s 55th National Day, which is the very occasion this limited edition was created to honour. Together, the bold red ‘55’ and the vivid green dial echo the colours of Kuwait’s national flag, adding a meaningful cultural dimension to the watch’s overall design.
Powering this impeccable timepiece within its elegant 46mm x 27mm x 9mm stainless steel case is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house, self-winding Cal. 967B. Comprising 200 components, it beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers 42 hours of power when fully wound.
Overall, this is a stunning timepiece that perfectly encapsulates Jaeger-LeCoultre’s dedication to craftsmanship, while also serving as a tribute to two pivotal moments in Kuwait’s history.
With its overall rarity, heritage-driven design, and striking aesthetic, this special variant of the Grande Reverso 976 in stainless steel remains one of the most sought-after and collectable variants of the modern Grande Reverso line today. With only 55 pieces made, it is not a Reverso you will see very often.
