Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Catherine Rénier on the origins of the Reverso and why the golden ratio is central to its success

Fergus Nash

At last year’s Watches & Wonders, Jaeger-LeCoultre dazzled attendees with their Stellar Odyssey collection accompanied by a mesmerising stall. This year, they calmed us back down with an exploration of their beauty and history, as exemplified by a spectacular hologram and water display at the centre of various craft demonstrations. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to relax as Andrew speaks with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s CEO Catherine Rénier, discussing the origins of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph and the use of the Golden Ratio.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the Golden Ratio is also known as the Fibonacci sequence, and can be represented in many different ways. The most common example to occur in nature is the spiralling of shells, but it appears all over the place. This ratio appeals to the human eye in a way which inspires beauty, just as we can explain why certain musical harmonies sound “nicer” by looking at the frequencies mathematically. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has used the Golden Ratio in the proportions of its case design ever since the initial release in 1931, and the modern Reverso Tribute Chronograph continues that tradition.

Available in a rose-gold case with a jet-black dial or a steel case with an astonishing sunburst blue dial, the sophisticated face of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph gives no hints about its complicated secrets. If you want to investigate the pushers on the side of the case, you’ll need to flip the mechanism over to reveal its high-tech Duoface. Decorated intricately is the skeletonised rear of the calibre 860, offering a central chronograph along with the regular dauphine hands, and a retrograde minute counter at the base of the dial. It’s a mix of beauty and reverent complexity that’s rarely seen in a dress chronograph, truly opening up your options for versatility. Even if you don’t have the perfect context in which to wear this watch, you’d definitely find a way to wear it whenever you can.