This year, a lot of attention has been given to one of the more notable anniversaries in the watch world. It was ninety years ago that the first Reverso appeared, and while it hasn’t had a completely smooth run, it has undeniably left its mark on horology. From its roots on the dusty polo fields of India to showcasing craftsmanship on its unique casebacks, this distinctive design has been on quite the journey.

While the watch collecting community readily celebrates origin stories, they are often partially fictional, having passed through the hands of communication departments, shaped and reshaped over time. However, the story of the Reverso seems to be one of those rare occasions where the romantic tale is the truth.

Weighty tomes and lengthy articles have been dedicated to its design, but we thought we would look back on some aspects of its history, that we find the most interesting, while also trying to understand the appeal of the Reverso from a collector's perspective. We were also given the opportunity to handle, study and photograph some of the pieces from Jaeger-LeCoultre's archives, which made the process all the more enriching.

It’s an oft touted narrative that the Reverso began its life as a way for British army officers in India to protect the crystals on their watches during games of polo. This is true, but what gets less attention is the three men who led the charge for this watch, none of which were polo-playing members of the British armed forces. César de Trey, René-Alfred Chauvot and Jacques-David LeCoultre were the most heavily involved with its creation.