As it continues to expand the mechanical and artistic potential of Haute Horlogerie through the Hybris series of limited-edition timepieces, Jaeger-LeCoultre revisits the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179, harnessing the skills of the master engravers in the Manufacture’s Métiers RaresTM atelier.
Presented in an 18K pink gold (750/1000) case richly engraved with an image of Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek mythology, the new timepiece also features hand-lacquered dial plates and bridges. The fully skeletonised reverse dial is complemented by hand-bevelling of the bridges and tourbillon cage.
Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus is presented on a blue alligator strap with an innovative, micro-adjustable clasp and will be a limited edition of five pieces.
Showcasing the artistry of the Métiers RaresTM atelier,
From polo to Pegasus: The legendary winged horse of Greek mythology – believed to have carried thunderbolts for Zeus and to have created springs to flow wherever its hoof touched the ground – Pegasus symbolises freedom, creative power and elevation beyond limits. More than a myth, it represents the moment when technique becomes imagination.
This symbolism resonates with the Reverso’s equestrian origins. Designed on the polo field, its swivelling case reflects a constant interplay between protection and expression, discipline and freedom – echoing the dual nature of the horse itself. The connection extends through the Year of the Fire Horse, a sign of intensity, independence and bold energy. Together, these references position the horse as more than inspiration: a thread that unites function, symbolism and creative transformation at the heart of the Reverso.
Celebrating the savoir-faire of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers RaresTM atelier, the hand-engraved case marries rare artistic sensibility with remarkable precision and dexterity: the Maison’s master engraver must devote 180 hours of intensely focused work to each watch, to craft the image of Pegasus against a background of clouds. The sculptural effect of the relief engraving creates areas of reflection and shadow, emphasising the sense of volume. As the engraving wraps seamlessly around the convex case-sides, it almost completely obscures the join between the upper and lower sections of the case.
Where mechanism becomes art: The cloud motif that forms the backdrop to Pegasus is repeated on the front dial, where two dial plates – each on a different level – enhance the symmetry of the time display and the tourbillon aperture.
To create the decoration, more than 50 hollows were formed in the surface of the 18K pink gold (750/1000) plates, leaving only the cloud-shaped outlines visible. Each hollow is then hand-filled with different shades of blue lacquer, applied in multiple layers until its surface is perfectly flush with the outlines.
Between the plates, open-worked bridges, also hand-lacquered in dark blue, offer a tantalising glimpse of the movement – in keeping with the Hybris philosophy of celebrating mechanical as well as decorative art.
Turning the case over to the reverse dial, where the Duoface movement displays the second time zone, the beauty of the calibre is fully revealed.
Blue lacquer has been applied to the fine tracery of the skeletonised hours-minutes ring and its supporting bridges, highlighting the airy aesthetic. It contrasts with the warm tones of the 18K pink gold (750/1000) movement components and the soft texture of micro-blasted surfaces.
The skeletonisation is complemented by hand bevelling and hand-applied lacquer. Representing approximately 14 hours of hand-bevelling work only for the cage of the Gyrotourbillon and eight hours for the signature shape of one bridge on the reverse side, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 is testament to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to craftsmanship of the highest order.
A mechanical masterpiece
Inspired by a fascination with the tourbillon: Calibre 179 features the fourth evolution of the Gyrotourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature multi-axis tourbillon – a technical tour-de-force developed expressly for the rectangular case of Reverso. The demand that the regulating mechanism be integrated into a shaped movement that follows the contours of the rectangular Reverso case and is slim enough to be comfortable on the wrist, makes the engineering feat even more noteworthy. Moreover, as a Duoface movement, Calibre 179 displays a different time zone on each dial as well as a 24-hour indicator on the reverse dial.
Highly complex and visually enthralling to observe as it pirouettes around its twin axes, the Gyrotourbillon comprises 123 components, including one ultra-light titanium cage and a peripheral carriage mounted on ball-bearings. These two elements turn perpendicularly to each other at different speeds – the inner tourbillon cage rotating 360 degrees in just 16 seconds and the peripheral carriage making a full rotation once per minute. This peripheral carriage also provides a small-seconds function, indicated on a ring that encircles the tourbillon aperture. A closer look reveals a greyed semi-spherical balance spring beating at the heart of the mechanism, as well as the distinctive double-anchor shape of a Gyrolab balance ‘wheel’ – both elements paying testament to Jaeger- LeCoultre’s tireless quest for greater precision and mechanical efficiency. In this quest, the Manufacture’s engineers have created balance springs in several different forms over the years and this hemispherical shape, perfectly adapted to the hollow sphere at the heart of the Gyrotourbillon, adds aesthetic refinement as well as mechanical efficiency. The double-anchor shape of the Gyrolab was designed to reduce air friction and thus further enhance timekeeping accuracy.
Rather than being held in place by a conventional bridge, the tourbillon mechanism is supported by a ring of ball bearings, creating the illusion that this flying Gyrotourbillon is floating freely in the space between the front and back dials of the Reverso. The effect is amplified by the light reflected from the mirror-like surface of a polished blue lacquer disc positioned on the supporting cradle of the watch directly beneath the tourbillon aperture.
Reverso: from Art Deco origins to timeless design icon
Since its creation in 1931, the Art Deco lines and swivelling case of the Reverso have made it one of the most recognisable designs in watchmaking. The rectilinear geometry and harmonious proportions of the case belie the complexity of the signature slide-and-swivel mechanism. Emphasised by the signature gadroons above and below the dial and a deeply engraved sunray pattern on the inside of the case cradle, the strong Art Deco lines counterbalance the intricate decoration of the case and dials of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus.
A movement as complex as Calibre 179 naturally requires a generously sized case; however, with a thickness of 12.41mm and refined lugs, Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus is both elegant and wearable. Fastening the dark blue alligator strap, the adjustable folding clasp epitomises Jaeger-LeCoultre’s approach to refined elegance through technical innovation. Crafted in 18K pink gold (750/1000) and comprising 46 components, it incorporates an intricate double-wheel system that allows for micro-adjustments to the nearest 0.5mm, ensuring a perfect fit.
Crafted for true connoisseurs of art and mechanics, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus blends exceptional watchmaking savoir-faire and decorative artistry in a noble expression of the 180 skills brought together under one roof at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.
