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 an array of contemporary variations to suit the palate of modern enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike and this incredibly beautiful Reverso Duo Night and Day Ref. 270.3.54 is a testament to that very fact.
Designed to capitalize on its flip-action by giving it a second dial, the Duoface was, in fact, a means of increasing the Reverso's utility as a functional timepiece whilst retaining its dressy demeanor. Initially released in 1994 with the new Grande Taille case as its medium, the first Duoface was split between a lighter-colored 'home' dial and a darker-colored secondary dial that the user would wear to indicate the time in two different parts of the world – effectively making it a dual-time timepiece.
This particular variant we have here is quite an interesting one, the Reverso Duo Night and Day sports an 18-carat white gold case based on the golden ratio, which is a ratio between two dimensions that equals 1.618. Also known mathematically as the divine proportion, it is, in general terms, a ratio that is known to be pleasing to the human eye.
Like many other Reverso Duoface references, this particular example emanates a bit of a “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” energy and you will see why in a minute. On one side, you have a strikingly beautiful, asymmetrical jet-black dial with a stunning and rather unusual hand-written style font as its indices. It also features a moon phase at 12 o ‘clock and a small-seconds display at the 6. As for the light grey dial on the other side, it features luminous 3, 9, and 12 numerals and hands, a gorgeous Clous de Paris guilloché motif at its center as well as a day/night indicator at 6 o'clock to mirror the small-seconds on the other side. Powering the watch from within is the in-house, manual-wind Cal. 854, which holds a respectable power reserve of 42 hours.
Two watches in one, quite literally. This Reverso Duo Night and Day Ref. 270.3.54 is an incredibly versatile timepiece that allows the user two different watch faces to match his / her outfit or mood of the day. Tired of the black dial? Flip it over. Tired of the grey dial? Do it again.
Overall, this is a stunning timepiece that beautifully encapsulates the Maison’s objective of showcasing true craftsmanship and versatility. Furthermore, this Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo Night and Day Ref. 270.3.54 demonstrates its horological heritage with a robust and excellent manually-wound, in-house movement. While it's hidden beneath both dials, the Cal. 854 features the same high-quality architecture and finishing that has earned Jaeger LeCoultre their deserved moniker; "the watchmaker's watchmaker."
