Jaeger-LeCoultre Introduces The Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus
In the rarefied world of haute horlogerie, few watches succeed in balancing technical mastery with true artistic expression. With the new Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus, Jaeger-LeCoultre once again demonstrates its ability to unite both disciplines within a single extraordinary creation.
Limited to just five pieces, the latest interpretation of the Reverso Hybris Artistica transforms the iconic Art Deco case into a canvas for engraving, lacquer work and mechanical innovation. Combining the Maison’s celebrated Gyrotourbillon with exceptional métiers d’art craftsmanship, the watch stands as one of the most ambitious Reverso creations ever produced.
At the centre of the narrative is Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, long associated with freedom, imagination and transcendence. According to legend, Pegasus carried thunderbolts for Zeus and created springs wherever its hooves touched the earth. For Jaeger-LeCoultre, the mythical figure becomes a symbol of creative elevation, where engineering evolves into art.
The connection feels particularly fitting for the Reverso. Originally conceived in 1931 for polo players seeking to protect their watch crystals during matches, the Reverso has always embodied a duality between functionality and expression. Here, that spirit is elevated through a watch that merges equestrian heritage with mythological storytelling.
The 18K pink gold case is entirely hand engraved with a dramatic depiction of Pegasus soaring through clouds. Executed by the artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares™ atelier, each case requires approximately 180 hours of painstaking engraving work.
The sculptural relief engraving creates remarkable depth across the surface of the watch, with light and shadow constantly shifting across the Pegasus motif. Particularly impressive is the way the engraving flows seamlessly around the curved flanks of the case, almost concealing the junction between the upper and lower sections of the Reverso’s swivelling architecture.
The artistry continues onto the front dial, where lacquered cloud motifs mirror the engraving of the case. Crafted from solid pink gold plates arranged on multiple levels, the dial combines symmetry with dimensionality. More than 50 individual recesses are carved into the gold surface before being meticulously filled by hand with successive layers of blue lacquer. The process demands exceptional precision, with each layer polished until perfectly flush with the surrounding gold outlines.
The result is a dial that feels almost atmospheric in appearance, an interplay of rich blue tones, polished gold and mechanical transparency. Between the lacquered plates, open-worked bridges reveal glimpses of the movement beneath, reinforcing the Hybris philosophy of exposing both technical and decorative artistry simultaneously.
Turning the case over reveals the fully skeletonised reverse dial, arguably the most mesmerising aspect of the watch. Here, the Duoface architecture displays a second time zone alongside a 24-hour indicator, while exposing the intricate structure of Calibre 179 in remarkable detail. Blue lacquer accents continue across the skeletonised bridges and hour ring, contrasting elegantly with the warm tones of pink gold movement components and finely micro-blasted surface.
The finishing standards are exceptional even by haute horlogerie standards. The bridges and Gyrotourbillon cage are painstakingly hand bevelled, requiring approximately 14 hours of finishing work on the tourbillon cage alone, with additional hours devoted to the reverse-side bridge architecture.
Yet as extraordinary as the decorative work may be, the mechanical heart of the watch remains equally compelling. Calibre 179 houses the fourth generation of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Gyrotourbillon — a multi-axis tourbillon developed specifically for the rectangular proportions of the Reverso case. Integrating such a complex regulating system into a shaped movement while maintaining elegant wearability represents a formidable engineering achievement.
The Gyrotourbillon itself comprises 123 components and performs a captivating mechanical ballet across two perpendicular axes. The ultra-light titanium inner cage completes a full rotation every 16 seconds, while the peripheral carriage rotates once per minute. Together, the constantly moving axes create the illusion of perpetual motion, enhancing chronometric stability while transforming the regulating organ into kinetic sculpture.
Unlike a conventional tourbillon supported by a bridge, the Gyrotourbillon appears to float freely within the movement. Suspended on a ring of ball bearings between the front and rear dials, the mechanism gains an almost weightless appearance further amplified by reflections from a polished blue lacquer disc beneath the aperture.
Closer inspection reveals additional technical refinements that underline Jaeger-LeCoultre’s relentless pursuit of precision. At the centre beats a semi-spherical balance spring, specially shaped to complement the architecture of the Gyrotourbillon, while the distinctive double-anchor Gyrolab balance wheel reduces air friction to improve efficiency and timekeeping performance.
Despite the extraordinary complexity of Calibre 179, the Reverso Hybris Artistica Pegasus remains remarkably wearable. Measuring 12.41 mm thick, the watch preserves the elegant proportions of the Reverso case while accommodating one of the most sophisticated movements in contemporary watchmaking.
The dark blue alligator strap is secured by an equally innovative folding clasp crafted from 18K pink gold. Comprising 46 individual components, the clasp incorporates a patented double-wheel mechanism that allows micro-adjustments in precise 0.5 mm increments, ensuring exceptional comfort on the wrist.
More than nine decades after its creation, the Reverso continues to evolve in ways few watch designs could sustain. With the Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 Pegasus, Jaeger-LeCoultre pushes the icon into new territory — where engraving, lacquer artistry and advanced horology coexist within one of the most technically ambitious rectangular watches ever created.
It is not simply a demonstration of craftsmanship or mechanics alone, but a reminder that at the highest level of watchmaking, true innovation often lies in the harmony between the two.
Technical Specifications:
REVERSO HYBRIS ARTISTICA CALIBRE 179
Case: 18K pink gold (750/1000)
Dimensions: 51.1 x 31 mm x 12.41 mm thick
Calibre: Manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 179
Functions: Hours and Minutes on both dials; second time zone with 24-hour indicator on reverse dial, Gyrotourbillon (visible on both front and reverse dials)
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Front dial: Blue lacquer
Back dial: Skeletonised, coated with blue lacquer
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Blue alligator leather
Reference: Q39424E5 – Limited edition of 5 pieces
Pricing upon request
For more information please visit Jaeger-LeCoultre