Designed by René-Alfred Chauvot, the Reverso was conceived with the express purpose of being able to withstand the harsh beating a watch would endure during a game of polo. This was put to JLC by entrepreneur César de Trey as a challenge for the brand in 1930. Born the year following in 1931, the Reverso was a sports watch, thanks to its unique case design. In the 1930s, the Reverso needed to be more durable than other available watches; hence its ingenious reversible case was born. This protected the dial from a direct hit and gave the Reverso its name. Over 90 years later and the Reverso’s design lives on as one of the most recognizable in watchmaking. Offering a construction that is immediately reminiscent of the Reverso’s original design, the ref. 251.8.86’s stainless steel case sports 23mm x 38mm dimensions that make it incredible wearable and distinctly understated. Featuring a monochromatic single-texture black dial with prominent Arabic numerals, the ref. 251.8.86 is intensely refined and classical, as the Reverso has always been over the decades. Powered by a JLC caliber manual-wind movement, as the Reverso was originally, and offered on a brown leather strap with a steel folding clasp, this example offers fantastic wearability that will certainly allow it to easily fit into any collection.

An icon that requires no introduction, the Reverso has been at the forefront of the horology industry since its launch and watch collectors have been eager to add it to their collection in some form or another for almost an entire century for very good reason.