Jaeger LeCoultre Unveils Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai Waterfalls Series
There are few watches that truly blur the line between horology and art, yet the latest creations from Jaeger-LeCoultre do exactly that. With the unveiling of the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai Waterfalls Series, the Maison completes a remarkable journey, one that pays homage to the legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai and his celebrated series, A Tour of the Waterfalls of the Provinces.
This latest release introduces four new timepieces, each limited to just ten pieces, bringing the total tribute to Hokusai’s waterfall works to completion. As with previous editions, these watches are not simply inspired by art, they are art, meticulously recreated on a miniature scale through some of the most demanding decorative techniques in watchmaking.
A Meeting of Cultures
Hokusai’s influence extended far beyond Japan, shaping Western artistic movements such as Impressionism. His innovative use of perspective and colour, particularly the introduction of Prussian blue, transformed ukiyo e printmaking. Jaeger LeCoultre captures this cultural dialogue beautifully, translating Hokusai’s vision into wearable form while maintaining the integrity and spirit of the original works.
Each watch in the series features one of the final four waterfall scenes, Rōben Waterfall at Ōyama, Kiyotaki Kannon Waterfall, Yōrō Waterfall, and The Falls at Aoigaoka. These are not mere reproductions, but painstaking reinterpretations, rendered in grand feu enamel on the reverse of the iconic Reverso case.
Métiers Rares™ in Full Expression
At the heart of these creations lies the work of the Métiers Rares™ atelier, where traditional crafts are preserved and pushed to their limits. Each miniature enamel painting requires approximately 80 hours of work, built up through multiple layers of enamel, each fired at extreme temperatures. The result is extraordinary depth, colour, and permanence.
The level of detail is astonishing. Even the original Japanese inscriptions from Hokusai’s prints are reproduced in microscopic form, yet remain perfectly legible. Translating such intricate compositions onto a surface of just two square centimetres is a feat that few artisans in the world could achieve.
On the front, the dials offer a more restrained elegance, yet they are no less impressive. Hand guilloché patterns, barleycorn, wave, bamboo, and herringbone, are engraved with incredible precision before being coated with translucent enamel. The interplay of light across these surfaces creates a subtle but captivating visual effect, reinforcing the connection between craftsmanship and artistry.
Mechanical Integrity
Inside, the watches are powered by the manually wound Calibre 822, a movement designed to complement the rectangular Reverso case. Slim, reliable, and precise, it offers a 42 hour power reserve and underscores Jaeger LeCoultre’s reputation as the Watchmaker of Watchmakers.
The watches are housed in 18 carat white gold cases and can be paired with either a black alligator leather strap or a refined Milanese bracelet, ensuring that the wearer can choose between classic and contemporary aesthetics.
Art on the Wrist
What makes the Reverso Tribute Enamel Hokusai Waterfalls Series so compelling is not just its technical mastery, but its emotional resonance. Each scene captures a moment in nature, from the thunderous power of cascading water to the quiet presence of human figures dwarfed by their surroundings.
These watches invite reflection. They are not designed to shout, but to be discovered, to reveal their secrets when the case is turned, much like the hidden stories within Hokusai’s original works.
In completing this series, Jaeger LeCoultre has not only honoured one of history’s greatest artists, but also reaffirmed its own position at the pinnacle of decorative watchmaking. This is horology at its most poetic, where time is measured not just in hours and minutes, but in artistry, heritage, and human ingenuity.
Technical Specifications:
REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI WATERFALLS SERIES – Rōben Waterfall at Ōyama in Sagami Province
Case: 18K white gold (750/1000)
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm
Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Barleycorn guilloché, grand feu enamel
Back dial: Closed – miniature-painted grand feu enamel
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Choice of black alligator leather with small scale lining and 18K white gold (750/1000) folding buckle or white gold 18K Milanese bracelet, both interchangeable
Reference: Q39334T7
[Limited edition of 10 pieces]
REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI WATERFALLS SERIES – Kiyotaki Kannon Waterfall at Sakanoshita on the Tōkaidō
Case: 18K white gold (750/1000)
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm
Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Wavy guilloché, grand feu enamel
Back dial: Closed – miniature-painted grand feu enamel
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Choice of black alligator leather with small scale lining and 18K white gold (750/1,000) folding buckle or white gold 18K (750/1,000) Milanese bracelet, both interchangeable
Reference: Q39334T8
[Limited edition of 10 pieces]
REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI WATERFALLS SERIES – Yōrō Waterfall in Mino Province
Case: 18K white gold (750/1000)
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm
Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Bamboo guilloché, grand feu enamel
Back dial: Closed – miniature-painted grand feu enamel
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Choice of black alligator leather with small scale lining and 18K white gold (750/1000) folding buckle or white gold 18K (750/1,000) Milanese bracelet, both interchangeable
Reference: Q39334T6
[Limited edition of 10 pieces]
REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL HOKUSAI WATERFALLS SERIES – The Falls at Aoigaoka in the Eastern Capital
Case: 18K white gold (750/1000)
Dimensions: 45.6 x 27.4 mm x 9.73 mm
Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Front dial: Herringbone guilloché, grand feu enamel
Back dial: Closed – miniature-painted grand feu enamel
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Choice of black alligator leather with small scale lining and 18K white gold (750/1,000) folding buckle or white gold 18K (750/1,000) Milanese bracelet, both interchangeable
Reference: Q39331T9
[Limited edition of 10 pieces]
All prices on application
For more information please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre