If you’re into watches that are a perfect blend of art, history, and technical wizardry, then you might want to hold on to your hats – or your horses in this case. Jaeger-LeCoultre has just pulled the wraps off its latest masterpiece: the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Horse’. This horological marvel celebrates the 2026 Lunar New Year with a dash of grandeur and a sprinkle of tradition.
Yes, it’s a watch, but to merely call it that would be underselling the whole affair. Imagine a majestic horse galloping across an art piece, not just for aesthetic pleasure but to encapsulate significant cultural symbolism. Unveiled for an audience anticipating the upcoming Chinese Zodiac year, this limited-edition timepiece – only 10 pieces produced – isn’t just for keeping you punctual; it’s for showing off your cultural savoir-faire.
Let’s give you a quick backstory. The Reverso was born out of practicality in 1931, originally designed with a swivel case to help polo players keep their watches intact. It’s like wearing armor, but for your wrist. Fast forward to today, and it remains a canvas for anything from art to engravings, making each piece, well, a piece.
The horse-themed watch is the fourth installment in a series saluting the Chinese Zodiac, following the Tiger, Dragon, and Snake. Jaeger-LeCoultre isn’t horsing around here – this is a certified collector’s item.
Flip the watch over, and you’ll meet a hand-engraved horse seemingly trotting out of the engraved clouds. This visual treat is surrounded by a black Grand Feu enamel background, accentuating all the shiny bits of our equine friend. Details are so meticulously crafted that even the horse’s mane and hooves would make a real horse jealous. To get the texture just right, the artisans employed a technique known as modeled engraving. In layman’s terms, it means the artist spent about 80 hours wielding tiny chisels to breathe life into this metallic wonder.
The watch dial matches the caseback with its glossy black Grand Feu enamel. Enamel is known to be temperamental – think of it as the diva of watchmaking materials – yet Jaeger-LeCoultre has mastered it to ensure two perfectly uniform surfaces.
Inside this stunner lies the Calibre 822, a manually wound movement offering a 42-hour power reserve. It’s all artisanal, all the way, produced entirely within the hallowed halls of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Swiss Manufacture.
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