Jaeger-LeCoultre Reveals New Reverso Tribute to Persian Art
Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced four new Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces that merge the brand’s horological heritage with the historic artistry of Persian miniature painting. Each model in the limited edition series—comprising just 10 pieces per design—features a caseback illustration inspired by the 16th-century Shahnameh manuscript created for Shah Tahmasp. The watches not only honour the origins of the Reverso in the sport of polo but also explore its ancient Persian roots through detailed artistic craftsmanship.
Each caseback is a miniature enamel painting that requires 100 hours of meticulous work. The process draws on four traditional crafts: miniature enamel painting, paillonnage, grand feu enamelling, and guillochage. These techniques are mastered at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house Métiers Rares™ atelier in the Vallée de Joux, reinforcing the Maison’s commitment to preserving and evolving fine decorative arts. The enamelling work pays homage to the Persian art form traditionally used to illustrate illuminated manuscripts, known for its flattened perspective, vivid colour palette, and intricate detail.
The Shahnameh, written over three decades by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, is considered one of the greatest works of epic literature. The four chosen illustrations depict scenes from the book’s legends cycle, all involving horses—a nod to their symbolic and cultural importance in ancient Persia. The story of polo as told in the Shahnameh is a recurring motif, linking the ancient sport with the Reverso’s origins in British India, when polo-playing officers sought a timepiece durable enough for the game.
The front dials of the timepieces are adorned with translucent grand feu enamel over hand-executed guilloché patterns, created on a century-old lathe. These decorative dials mirror the hues and moods of the enamel paintings on the reverse, offering a complete aesthetic experience. In one model, a vivid blue dial echoes the sky in a scene where the Persian hero Siyavush accepts a polo challenge; in another, a soft light blue recalls the mythical landscape where a Persian king tests his sons disguised as a dragon.
The Shahnameh series continues the legacy of enamel artistry that began with historic Reverso pieces such as the ‘Indian Beauty’ and ‘Rama’ models, both preserved in the Jaeger-LeCoultre museum. With these new creations, the Maison returns to its roots while preserving a centuries-old art form, capturing stories of courage, heritage, and artistic excellence within the compact dimensions of a Reverso case.
