Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled its latest iteration of the Reverso Hybris Artistica, and it’s got to be one of its most incredible watches yet.
In the world of watchmaking, there are brands known for a certain niche. Some are known for function, where their pragmatic approach earns praise for practicality. Others are recognised for their artistic talent, merging horology and the arts into a single incredible work. But in the case of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 193-year tenure, they’ve had the privilege of doing both.
The brand hasn’t earned the name “watchmaker’s watchmaker” for no reason. Their reputation is palpable throughout the horological world, having once made movements for an array of top-tier brands. This even included the “Big Three” of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Richemont sister brand Vacheron Constantin. Conversely, they’ve also found fascination in the arts, with the Reverso collection serving as the perfect canvas for creative expression.
Released just this month, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 ‘Pegasus’ merges those experiences once more. A continuation of the Hybris Artistica released at last year’s Watches & Wonders, it’s an ultimate expression of what can be done by the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture. Alongside the craftspeople of their Métiers Rares atelier, they present a limited edition of five models depicting a famous Greek myth.
Golden Boy
Though the watch is just 31mm wide, it’s by no means a diminutive dress piece by any stretch of the imagination. The Reverso Hybris Artistica Pegasus’ wrist presence is enhanced by a 51.1mm length and a 12.41mm thickness.
If you take reference to, say, the Reverso Tribute Geographic I reviewed last year, the watch is sized larger than even that. Furthermore, that 18k pink gold construction compounds the overall wearability, offering a shimmering warmth and a dense feel.
As with all Reversos, the “case” normally refers to the flippable centrepiece of the collection. An iconic feature, it is set within a cradle that has also been crafted from 18k pink gold.
Complete with a blue alligator leather strap, the watch also comes with a folding buckle offering micro-adjustable capabilities. It’s nice to see that, even at the highest echelons of watchmaking, convenience points like micro-adjustability are still being considered — a topic I’d love to investigate at a later date.
Catch You On The Flipside
But as you can see, we’re not here just to talk about case dimensions. Unlike the Hybris Artistica models that came before, the new Pegasus has been meticulously hand-engraved by the brand’s master engraver. Depicting Pegasus across a backdrop of clouds, the resulting engraving takes a gruelling 180 hours with zero room for error.
The brilliance of the gold is somewhat tamed by the delicate hand-engraving, but both work off each other for an unparalleled level of light play. Because of the seamlessness of the engraving, alongside the polished gold gadroons of the case, the centrepiece blends in perfectly with the cradle.
But don’t let the sheer beauty of the case distract you — or perhaps do, then come back — because both of the Reverso’s dials have been given equal attention. Starting with the front side, or “Recto”, the watch continues the cloud motif with varying shades of blue lacquer.
It’s executed in a cloisonné style, where strips of pink gold outline each cloud, distinguishing the shapes and shades of the lacquer. A displaced dial takes precedence where 12 o’clock would usually be, complete with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature dauphine hands.
Upon flipping the watch over, you’ll find the reverse, or “Verso” side, which diametrically opposes the Recto’s design cues. Here, blue lacquer becomes the accent, making way for an openworked dial revealing the movement within.
While the open nature of the watch makes it appear far busier, the blue lacquer is used sparingly to contrast against the warmth of the pink gold bridges and the coolness of the movement. In the top-right corner, one more difference can be found: a 24-hour indicator, split into blue and white segments depicting day and night.
You Spin Me Right Round
And as if the sheer artistry on display wasn’t enough, in comes the Calibre 179. A manual-wind movement, it returns in the Hybris Artistica line with the same 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate and 40-hour power reserve.
As always, the star of the show remains the gyrotourbillon, one of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s finest mechanical achievements. Where a traditional tourbillon negates gravity on a single axis, the Calibre 179 spins on two. Not only does this make the watch even more impressively precise, but it also offers a spectacular display of traditional mechanics.
But that’s not all — a phrase I seem to be saying a lot when it comes to this watch. How can there possibly be more? Well, it’s because the gyrotourbillon isn’t the only complication in the Calibre 179.
Given that the watch has two faces, it’s only natural that it can also track two separate time zones. Referring back to the Verso side, a secondary time zone can be tracked. Alongside the aforementioned 24-hour indicator, it adds a layer of practicality to an otherwise insanely complex watch.
Initial Thoughts
I am a nerd in every sense of the word. Watches are just the current obsession. Before that, it was Star Wars, Halo, pro wrestling, MMA, SpongeBob — and before all of it was Greek mythology. One of the most fascinating stories was that of Bellerophon. If you don’t know where I’m going with all this, he was the first to ever tame Pegasus.
Like any Greek tale, though, pride got the better of him; He thought he was equal to the gods; He tried to fly to Olympus; Zeus sent a horsefly to bite Pegasus, who bucked and caused Bellerophon to fall to his death.
But that’s beside the point. Before all of that happened, the heroic tales of Bellerophon and Pegasus fascinated me as a kid. To see my interests come full circle in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Artistica Pegasus, depicting the mythological beast, is somewhat comforting to me.
And while I won’t be among the chosen few who end up owning this masterpiece, it warms my heart to see it exist. Truly, though it serves as a continuation of the Hybris Artistica series, it’s yet another example of how far Jaeger-LeCoultre is willing to push itself in the pursuit of mechanical and artistic synthesis. And quite frankly, I’m more than happy to be along for the ride — unless I’m seated behind Bellerophon on the way to Greece.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | Q39424E5 |
| Dimensions | 31mm case diameter x 51.1mm lug-to-lug x 12.41mm thickness |
| Case | 18k pink gold with Pegasus engraving |
| Dial | Recto: Blue lacquer with pink gold accents Verso: Openworked with blue lacquer & pink gold accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed, engraved |
| Movement | Manual wind Cal. 179 with gyrotourbillon, 24-hour indicator, & flyer-style GMT complications |
| Power Reserve | 40h |
| Beat Rate | 3Hz / 21,600VpH |
| Water Resistance | 30m / 3bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Blue alligator leather strap with micro-adjustable pink gold folding buckle |