Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Fields

Extreme design, ceramic case; the technical watch par excellence

Square, masculine, assertive: the Reverso Squadra asserted itself right from its launch as the

ultimate in technical watches. It immediately earned its place on men's wrists thanks to its design

and performances. For the first time in its history, a Reverso sports a black ceramic case, a

concentrated blend of avant-garde technologies, which naturally frames the traditional double

face required to display additional functions. This tour de force combines with prodigious

mechanical complexity to meet the needs of elite sportsmen competing on polo fields the

world over: a chronograph with perfectly readable indications to precisely measure the time of

each chukka, as well as a large date display. The back is dedicated to an indication that is vital to

those whose passion leads them to travel the globe: the world-time function, instantly showing

the time in each time zone. Audacious, elegant and sturdy: a watch designed for these

exceptional sportsmen who must be able to rely at all times on an unfailingly reliable timepiece.

Ceramics enters the realm of the Reverso

Undoubtedly only such an exceptional model as the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph

Polo Fields could justify the entry of ceramics into the Reverso range. Extremely technical,

incredibly resistant and ultra-sporty, only such a unique watch could display this extreme design

featuring an envelope made up of a swivel case in black ceramics resting on a pink gold or

titanium carrier. To achieve this extraordinary aesthetic accomplishment, it was essential to

supersede the constraints generally imposed by the use of ceramics and to develop a machining

technology superior to those used thus far.

The raw material of this high-tech ceramics comes in the form of zirconium oxide, along with

small proportions of yttrium oxide guaranteeing enhanced stability of the mixture, and an

organic binding agent. The mixture of powders is subjected to a high pressure of 2000 bars in

order to obtain a compact and extremely stable pre-machinable ceramic block. After achieving

an initial simple geometrical shape, still relatively far removed from the final design of the case,

the ceramics is sintered (high-temperature-fired) at 2000 degrees Celsius, which coagulates the

alloy in an extremely compact manner.

In order to avoid any risk of porosity, the homogenous nature of the material is tested by

radioscopy. The resulting material is then machined to create the superb Reverso Squadra case.

It is important to remember that the case of the Reverso comprises over 50 parts and is

therefore one of the most complex to make due to its swivelling principle. That is why the

machining is performed with specialised five-axle CNC equipment in order to work each

surface individually and to achieve a high degree of precision. This is the only way of

guaranteeing the complex shaping of the reversible rectangular case, which must be able to

accommodate the movement perfectly without inserting a casing ring. Involving a machining

process four times longer than for a classic case, the execution of this final stage calls for the use

of numerous special tools coated with diamond crystals as well as diamond powders for

polishing. The result of this long and meticulous task is an exceptional tough material, barely

heavier than titanium and considerably lighter than steel while twice as hard. The extremely

compact and homogeneous case of the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Fields is a

state-of-the-art achievement in its own right, endowed with exceptional characteristics that

guarantee it amazing resistance and extremely long-term durability and stability

An automatic movement by Jaeger-LeCoultre

Specially designed for the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph Polo Fields, the twin-barrel

automatic Calibre 753 appears through the transparent city disc that reveals the oscillating

weight of this superb 39-jewel movement beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. A

mechanical masterpiece, it embodies all the genius of a movement capable of displaying the

different indications on each of the faces of the reversible case thanks to a gear transmission

system that circumvents the oscillating weight. Its two barrels also guarantee a comfortable 65-

hour power reserve.

100% Squadra design and functions

The exceptional quality of black ceramics has also opened up original prospects for the

designers of the Manufacture, who play brilliantly on the powerful contrasts between gold or

titanium and the black shade of the case. The superbly treated black dials are lit up by typically

Reverso-style numerals in white, as are the seconds hand and the movement operating

indicator so as to enable instant reading of the important information. On the back, the

spectacular world-time function indicates the entire set of time zones on a transparent disc

subdivided into 24 hours and offering a glimpse of the complexity of the automatic Jaeger-

LeCoultre Calibre 753. It is also endowed with a day/night indication. The Reverso Squadra

World Chronograph Polo Fields has nonetheless taken the liberty of “replacing” some capitals

by the locations of the major polo grounds where aficionados meet up around the world: Palm

Beach Florida; Palermo, Argentina; Londonham in the United Kingdom, Sotogrande in Spain and

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Clarity, legibility and high technology are the keynotes of

this model with a swivel case that continues to turns heads.

In the heat of action, readability is the supreme criterion and the Reverso Squadra World

Chronograph Polo Fields wins this particular contest by several lengths. Located at 9 and 3

o'clock, the chronograph minute and hour counters also adopt a “squarely” determined

attitude, while the white seconds hand stands out against the strikingly contrasted black and

white elements. The large date at 12 o'clock boasts a crystal-clear display through twin

apertures, while the movement running indicator at 6 o'clock provides constant proof that the

watch is indeed operating smoothly. Finally, elegance and functionality also combine on the case

middle, where the streamlined crown and pushpieces in pink gold or titanium accentuate the

stylistic power of a case whose unique appearance is further highlighted by the articulated

rubber strap with a metal core. This sophisticated wristband is equipped with a steel folding

clasp featuring a safety-button device that prevents any accidental opening. As a watch entirely

dedicated to speed and precision, it is also water-resistant to 50 metres, another indispensable

feature of any self-respecting sports model.

When deciding which material to associate with the high-tech ceramics, devotees of polo and of

Jaeger-LeCoultre will have to choose between two aesthetic options to accompany the

absolute black of the case: the gentle warmth of pink gold, or the intense grey of titanium for a

tone-on-tone contrast. The grade 5 titanium used by the Manufacture is an alloy that also

comprises a small proportion of aluminium and vanadium. This material is widely used in

aeronautics due to its high level of mechanical resistance, as well as in orthopaedic surgery

because of its biocompatibility that ensures it is perfectly tolerated inside the human body.

Moreover, it is sufficiently hard to enable polishing, contrary to pure titanium. In a perfect hightech

alliance with ceramics, it will prove equally stainless and stable over the long term.

Playing its role as the Reverso of extremes to the full, the Reverso Squadra World Chronograph

Polo Fields is ultimate in all respects, right down to the smallest details. It successfully manages

to remain entirely true to the genetic heritage of the Reverso, which it nonetheless transcends

by its exceptional character. More Reverso than ever, it returns 77 years later to the polo fields

where its illustrious forerunner was born, while sporting a powerful personality that makes it

even more attractive.