Latest news with #Reverso
Top Gear
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Protection racket: most contemporary watches are built to take a knock
Protection racket: most contemporary watches are built to take a knock Keeping your prized possessions safe is common sense, hence why today's timepieces are built tough Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Bull bars on cars started getting popular in the 1950s. At first they were a practical way to keep wildlife from embedding itself in your grille, but because some people thought they looked cool, they became fashionable. Incredibly, protective steel bars on watches came along a lot earlier than the automotive versions. Before the dawn of the 20th century, the watch was a delicate item carried in the breast pocket. Then with the outbreak of WW2, the watch became a vital piece of battle kit and needed to get tough quickly. Most early war watches were pocket watches that were adapted by adding wrist straps and rudimentary protective bars across the face. Advertisement - Page continues below As watch companies started making watches specifically for the wrist, they began to think of ever more ingenious ways to keep them safe, and war was not the only motivator. In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre made the Reverso, a watch where the whole case flips over to keep the dial side protected during particularly vigorous games of polo. The watch continues to be a big seller today. Improvement in material technology over the past century means that watches are no longer the fragile flowers they once were. It is hard these days to find a watch without a decent level of water resistance. And most decent ones have scratch resistant sapphire crystals that can take a knock. Pro tip In the unlikely event you choose a watch not fitted with bull bars, it is important to consider the quality of your glass. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal is really the only choice to go for and most decent watchmakers know it is well worth the extra cost. Various types of reinforced glass are second best, but avoid acrylic as it is only marginally more scratch resistant than a decent bar of soap. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Tatler Asia
19-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Jérôme Lambert on returning to Jaeger-LeCoultre and charting a new era for the maison
At the heart of this next chapter is clarity: doubling down on Jaeger-LeCoultre's core identity as 'the watchmaker of the watchmaker.' It's not just a tagline, Lambert insists—it's a declaration of integrity. 'It highlights the 180 craftsmanship. It highlights that we are the first manufacturer—probably the last one today still doing what we are doing.' It's also a maison that doesn't rest on its laurels. With over 430 patents, 1,250 in-house movements, and one of the most enduring design icons in horology—the Reverso—Jaeger-LeCoultre has both pedigree and originality on its side. 'I believe that if we combine these two already very strong factors—watchmaking and creation—we can make from our watchmaking creativity a real point of differentiation for the future.' Above Jaeger-LeCoultre's booth at this year's Watches and Wonders At Watches and Wonders this year, Jaeger-LeCoultre's showcase leaned heavily into the Reverso, a timepiece that remains emblematic of the maison's elegance and ingenuity. In an industry often accused of repetition, the Reverso still finds ways to surprise. 'We have the privilege to have an icon in a time where watchmaking sometimes tends to repeat itself,' says Lambert. 'We're very happy to have such a factor of differentiation. A Reverso just looks like another Reverso, which is already something amazing when it comes to the maison itself.' But it's not just about aesthetics. 'For the Reverso, in 94 years, we have created more than 50 movements,' he adds. 'So there's more than one new movement every two years for the Reverso.' Above The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface with a Milanese bracelet This year's unexpected head-turner? The Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds with a Milanese bracelet—the maison's first. The inspiration, says Lambert, came from constraint. 'There is a poet in France called André Gide who said that creativity is born under constraint. So, in a way, we have been creating that watch from a perspective of wanting to bring a bracelet to the Reverso.' Above This new Jaeger-LeCoultre is nod to archival elegance with a contemporary touch The result? A minimalist, purist expression of the Reverso with an elegant bracelet design that nods to archival styles from the 1940s and '50s. 'It's how we came to a thin Reverso expression—puristic, hour, minute, and second—and to a historical type of bracelet… the grained dial was giving the aesthetic accomplishment to it.' That watch, by the way, will be in stores this July. 'We know that it's over-demanded,' Lambert chuckles. 'So a good advice for anybody is to go to a boutique or to a partner and to place a deposit.' See also: What 2 watch collectors took away from Watches and Wonders 2025 Tradition in a Time of Transition Above Since 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso has balanced geometric elegance with mechanical ingenuity In the age of digital ephemerality, Jaeger-LeCoultre's position as a standard-bearer of traditional watchmaking seems almost paradoxical—and yet more vital than ever. 'In a world that is changing a lot, there is interest in things that are not changing,' Lambert notes. 'In a world where planned obsolescence is the essence, you aspire for products that would become your companions.' For Lambert, this connection between the watch and the wearer isn't abstract. It's tangible. At Jaeger-LeCoultre's own Heritage Gallery, over 6,000 objects have been collected, many donated by clients with handwritten letters detailing their emotional significance. 'You feel that the watch in its functionality has been in some way absorbing their history and becoming a memory stick—but not a digital memory stick—a physical memory stick.' Above Born on the polo field, the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was originally designed to withstand the sport's intensity This is what gives mechanical watches their enduring relevance, he argues: 'The opportunities that you get with these products to enter them in your tradition, to live with them, to have them absorbing your time in history, is very important these days. Accelerated by the fact that everything is more obsolete than ever.' That's not to say Jaeger-LeCoultre is immune to technological shifts. On the contrary, Lambert sees digital platforms as an asset. 'We balance it out by first using digital to communicate more than ever,' he says. 'To not use it would be foolish. But again, in parallel, the quest for beauty, for intrinsic value, for things that are not changing... That emotion comes from this absolute purity.' For a maison with nearly two centuries of history, staying agile isn't just about product. It's also about the experience. Post-pandemic, Jaeger-LeCoultre has begun reimagining what the boutique can be—transforming them into spaces of discovery. Above More than a boutique—the new Jaeger-LeCoultre 1931 café invites clients to pause, reflect, and experience the maison at their own rhythm 'The new boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is made with a lot of points of interaction,' Lambert shares. That includes a Manufacture Wall that explains technique and know-how, as well as lifestyle-driven touches like a café. 'You can sit, and you can have another way of interacting with the maison.' These spaces also support Jaeger-LeCoultre's growing cultural initiative, 'Made of Makers,' which bridges fine watchmaking with other artistic disciplines. 'It's very meaningful post-COVID, to have that qualitative exchange and time,' says Lambert. Don't miss: Jaeger-LeCoultre Launches Art Deco-Inspired 1931 Café After decades at the helm of some of Richemont's most esteemed maisons, Lambert now brings a long-view perspective to his leadership at Jaeger-LeCoultre. The challenge, he says, is time itself. 'When we work on a project over five or 10 years… Who can guess what the world will be in seven to 10 years when you don't know what it will be in the next seven to 10 hours?' he asks. 'But what I learned in the past is that if it's conceptually strong, then it will be equally strong in seven years.' Above Looking ahead, Lambert is focused on preserving legacy while positioning Jaeger-LeCoultre for the decades to come As for where luxury is headed, Lambert remains pragmatic. 'There is a quest for more meaning,' he says, before adding a wry observation: 'Every time there is a time which is a little bit more challenging, we say it's for meaning. And then when everything is easier economically, everything is about showing and sharing.' It's a cycle he's seen before. And perhaps that's why Lambert's approach to Jaeger-LeCoultre's future is rooted in something far more enduring than trend: the belief that relevance isn't about chasing the moment—it's about outlasting it. Credits
The Age
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The shoes Rebecca Harding has worn to death – and what she'll buy next
Any go-to jewellery? I've never been a huge jewellery person, but my engagement ring is a staple. It's an emerald cut diamond set in platinum that Andy [Lee, her fiance] designed. I also wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Reverso' watch and an Oura smart ring. Loading Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? When I was four, I was obsessed with a little navy-blue check dress with red hearts on the skirt and puff sleeves. What was your first fashion moment? Playing dress-ups in my grandma's wardrobe as a child. She travelled a lot and collected pieces from all over the world. My sister and I would play around with the silk headscarves, furs, Italian leather – it was a treasure trove. And your worst fashion mistake? A few years ago, I wore a pair of Christian Louboutin 'So Kate' stilettos for a full-day event and lost feeling in my foot for about a month afterwards. I haven't worn them since. I tried to resell them, but I think everyone's got the memo. What shoes do you wear most often? A pair of Hermes 'Chypre' shearling slides that have been worn to death. I can't repurchase them because they're always sold out. What's on your wish list? Dries Van Noten '70s-style suede sneakers. Is there something you would never wear? Never say never. I would've said skinny jeans, but they're making a comeback. I love the look of them with a tall, flat riding boot – I just haven't found the right pair yet. Is there a current trend you like? I'm loving that boho is back – the paisley prints and floaty dresses. Chloe's winter 2025 show was so beautiful, and we haven't really played in that sort of style for a few years. Who's your favourite fashion icon? I'm loving Daisy Edgar-Jones' vibe. In fact, I was almost convinced to cut a fringe. What do you wear on a typical working day? If I'm in the office it'll be jeans, oversized white shirt with a fun lacy bra underneath and 'Tabi' ballet flats. What's your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I'll be in a Skims tracksuit, walking our dog Henrietta and going for breakfast with Andy.
The Age
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The shoes Rebecca Harding has worn to death, and what she'll buy next
Any go-to jewellery? I've never been a huge jewellery person, but my engagement ring is now a staple. It's an emerald cut diamond set in platinum that Andy [Lee, her fiancé] designed. I also wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Reverso' watch and an Oura smart ring. Loading Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? When I was four, I was obsessed with a little navy-blue check dress with red hearts on the skirt and puff sleeves. What was your first fashion moment? Playing dress-ups in my grandma's wardrobe as a child. She travelled a lot and collected pieces from all over the world. My sister and I would play around with the silk headscarves, furs, Italian leather – it was a treasure trove. And your worst fashion mistake? A few years ago, I wore a pair of Christian Louboutin 'So Kate' stilettos for a full-day event and lost feeling in my foot for about a month afterwards. I haven't worn them since. I tried to resell them, but I think everyone's got the memo. What shoes do you wear most often? A pair of Hermès 'Chypre' shearling slides that have been worn to death. I can't repurchase them because they're always sold out. What's on your wish list? Dries Van Noten '70s-style suede sneakers. Is there something you would never wear? Never say never. I would've said skinny jeans, but they're making a comeback. I love the look of them with a tall, flat riding boot – I just haven't found the right pair yet. Is there a current trend you like? I'm loving that boho is back – the paisley prints and floaty dresses. Chloe's Winter 2025 show was so beautiful, and we haven't really played in that sort of style for a few years. Who's your favourite fashion icon? I'm loving Daisy Edgar-Jones' vibe. In fact, I was almost convinced to cut a fringe. What do you wear on a typical working day? If I'm in the office it'll be a jean, oversized white shirt with a fun lacy bra underneath and 'Tabi' ballet flats. What's your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I'll be in a Skims tracksuit, walking our dog Henrietta and going for breakfast with Andy.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The shoes Rebecca Harding has worn to death, and what she'll buy next
Any go-to jewellery? I've never been a huge jewellery person, but my engagement ring is now a staple. It's an emerald cut diamond set in platinum that Andy [Lee, her fiancé] designed. I also wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Reverso' watch and an Oura smart ring. Loading Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? When I was four, I was obsessed with a little navy-blue check dress with red hearts on the skirt and puff sleeves. What was your first fashion moment? Playing dress-ups in my grandma's wardrobe as a child. She travelled a lot and collected pieces from all over the world. My sister and I would play around with the silk headscarves, furs, Italian leather – it was a treasure trove. And your worst fashion mistake? A few years ago, I wore a pair of Christian Louboutin 'So Kate' stilettos for a full-day event and lost feeling in my foot for about a month afterwards. I haven't worn them since. I tried to resell them, but I think everyone's got the memo. What shoes do you wear most often? A pair of Hermès 'Chypre' shearling slides that have been worn to death. I can't repurchase them because they're always sold out. What's on your wish list? Dries Van Noten '70s-style suede sneakers. Is there something you would never wear? Never say never. I would've said skinny jeans, but they're making a comeback. I love the look of them with a tall, flat riding boot – I just haven't found the right pair yet. Is there a current trend you like? I'm loving that boho is back – the paisley prints and floaty dresses. Chloe's Winter 2025 show was so beautiful, and we haven't really played in that sort of style for a few years. Who's your favourite fashion icon? I'm loving Daisy Edgar-Jones' vibe. In fact, I was almost convinced to cut a fringe. What do you wear on a typical working day? If I'm in the office it'll be a jean, oversized white shirt with a fun lacy bra underneath and 'Tabi' ballet flats. What's your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? I'll be in a Skims tracksuit, walking our dog Henrietta and going for breakfast with Andy.
