This September, Jaeger-LeCoultre will unveil three new limited-edition Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces at the Homo Faber Biennial in Venice, celebrating the city’s artistic legacy and the renowned craftsmanship of the Manufacture. Each watch features a meticulously crafted case-back adorned with a miniature reproduction of one of Claude Monet’s iconic paintings of Venice, transforming the Reverso into an exquisite canvas for artistic expression.
An Ode to Venice through Monet’s Masterpieces
Claude Monet’s “Venice Series,” painted late in his career, captures the ethereal light and architectural beauty of Venice, which captivated the artist when he visited in 1908. Although initially overwhelmed by the city’s beauty, Monet eventually painted 37 canvases during his ten-week stay, focusing on how light transformed the city’s landmarks throughout the day. These paintings, celebrated for their dreamlike quality and vivid depiction of Venice’s atmospheric changes, are now immortalized on the Reverso Tribute Enamel timepieces, paying homage to both the artist and the city that inspired him.
Showcasing Craftsmanship: A Celebration of Métiers Rares
The Homo Faber Biennial’s mission to honor craftsmanship aligns perfectly with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s commitment to preserving traditional watchmaking and decorative arts. The new Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Venice Series’ watches highlight the extraordinary talents of the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares (Rare Handcrafts) Atelier, which combines the intricate skills of miniature painting, enamelling, and guillochage. The challenge of reproducing Monet’s large-scale works onto a surface of just 25 x 20 mm was a true test of the artisans’ skills, requiring not only precision but also creativity in mimicking Monet’s textured impasto technique and the shifting, dreamlike quality of his originals.
To capture the depth and intensity of Monet’s paintings, artisans applied 14 layers of enamel, including three base layers, four layers of painted details, and seven layers of translucent ‘fondant’. Each layer required separate firings at temperatures up to 800°C, showcasing the extraordinary level of craftsmanship involved.
Exquisite Dials Reflecting Artistic Mastery
Complementing the miniature paintings on the case-backs, the dials of these timepieces are adorned with hand-guilloché patterns beneath layers of translucent colored enamel. The enamelling process alone requires eight to nine hours for each dial, involving multiple layers and firings. The simplicity of the Reverso Tribute design – marked by faceted hour markers and Dauphine hands – allows the intricate beauty of the decorations to take center stage.
Three Masterpieces Reimagined on the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Venice Series’
- San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk: Monet’s serene depiction of San Giorgio Maggiore at sunset is rendered in stunning detail on the first timepiece. The artist’s focus on light, color, and reflection is beautifully translated onto the case-back, requiring approximately 70 hours of meticulous enamelling. The watch’s dial, finished in grand feu enamel in a matching blue hue, features a herringbone guilloché pattern echoing the geometric lines of the Reverso’s Art Deco design. This intricate work involves 360 individual lines, created through painstaking lathe work that takes eight hours to complete.
- The Grand Canal, Venice: Capturing the afternoon light across the Grand Canal, this piece showcases Monet’s ability to convey depth and movement. The miniaturized artwork on the case-back required nearly 70 hours of enamelling, while the dial’s wavy guilloché pattern mirrors the water’s reflections, amplified by layers of translucent grand feu enamel in soft green tones. This delicate process enhances the watch’s sense of movement, perfectly complementing Monet’s painting.
- The Doge’s Palace: This timepiece is inspired by Monet’s early morning view of the Doge’s Palace from a gondola. Focused on capturing light rather than architectural details, the painting’s shimmering beauty is reproduced through almost 70 hours of painstaking enamelling. The dial features a lozenge guilloché pattern that creates dynamic effects of light and shade, much like the play of sunlight on Venice’s waters. The pattern comprises 981 lines, each requiring five lathe passages, totaling 4,905 precise movements of the hand-operated lathe over eight hours.
A Tribute to Venice and Artistic Excellence
Limited to just 10 pieces each, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Venice Series’ timepieces are a profound celebration of Venice, Claude Monet’s artistic genius, and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unparalleled craftsmanship. Through a harmonious blend of fine watchmaking and artistic decoration, these extraordinary watches stand as a tribute to the enduring beauty of Venice and the artistry that continues to inspire generations.