Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Enamelling Process

Gus7 · 2022-03-03T06:14:45Z

Discover Gus7's unique Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, personalized with bespoke enameling of flags and Chinese characters, celebrating his retirement and journey. A story of craftsmanship and brand generosity.

Gus7

WPS member · Jaeger-LeCoultre forum

37 replies4696 views2 photos

Gus7's deeply personal journey of commissioning a bespoke enamel Reverso serves as a powerful testament to the enduring allure of personalization in luxury watchmaking. His narrative not only showcases Jaeger-LeCoultre's exceptional artisanal capabilities but also highlights the profound emotional connection collectors forge with their timepieces. This article explores how Gus7 transformed his Reverso into a unique horological memoir, celebrating his career and personal milestones.

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Last year I was planning my retirement. I had moved from my home in Scotland to Hong Kong some years previously with a mission of opening and establishing our company’s office here in Hong Kong and thereafter also in Shanghai. These years have been a mix of great pleasure on both a personal and professional level as well as periods of great frustration and worry as events of the last few years have undoubtedly taken their toll. However, this is undeniably a city I love and that will always have a fond place in my heart and I knew that as I came to retire I wanted to mark it somehow.

What better I thought than having one of my Reversos engraved or enamelled? The challenge then was to come up with an idea that while simple in its conceptualisation would be meaningful and very personal to me. I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have had a great relationship with JLC over more than 20 years and the team here in Hong Kong have always been good to me. I worked with Tim, one of the boutique managers who I have considered a friend now for nearly 7 years, on a design. We bandied around a few ideas and finally landed on one that I felt best paid my respects to this city and my journey from Scotland to Hong Kong and would always remind me of these years. These two photos hopefully evidence that conceptualisation adequately. The intertwining of a representation (not necessarily a precise replica) of the flags of each country coupled with the traditional Chinese characters representing my name which is what I used on my business cards alongside my western name. (for info, the traditional Chinese characters are very similar in fact to those in simplified Chinese and which I obviously used when working in Shanghai or Beijing).

Hopefully you will agree that JLC have done an exceptional job! However, that is not really the whole story.

Once we had settled on a design I was subsequently humbled and speechless when I was advised by the CEO of JLC here in Hong Kong and by Tim that they wanted this engraving and enamelling to be their gift to me to mark my retirement and to cement our friendship over the years. Honestly it is hard to convey how this made me feel. There was no need for them to do this, and no expectation on my part. It makes the whole process and the resulting outcome even more meaningful and I know that they have done this not expecting this public acknowledgement but I have said to them I really had to write up this experience! I know that Catherine and her team in Le Sentier did everything to make this happen as quickly as possible and I thank them as well for everything and look forward to the day I can visit again with my burgundy Reverso on my wrist, now unique to me!

If you have any thoughts of having your Reverso engraved and enamelled I must encourage you to do so. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to do this and now plan also on having a different engraving only done on my green Tribute to Reverso.

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'Verso-side' of the Reverso, when personalized, becomes a connoisseur's secret, a private emblem of meaning known only to the wearer.
The gesture of Jaeger-LeCoultre's Hong Kong team gifting the engraving and enameling is a rare and encouraging example of a luxury brand prioritizing long-term customer relationships and personal connection over transactional value, especially from a Richemont-owned entity.
When commissioning personalized elements like names in foreign characters, it's crucial to thoroughly research the meaning to avoid unintended or humorous interpretations, as demonstrated by an anecdote of a Westerner unknowingly having 'English devil pig' inscribed.
The personalization of a Reverso with elements beyond traditional drawings or monograms, such as national flags and personal names in different scripts, offers a unique and highly individualistic way to make the watch truly one's own.
The exceptional quality of the enameling and the profound generosity of JLC Hong Kong's team underscore the potential for luxury brands to create unforgettable experiences and secure deep customer loyalty through personalized service.

The Discussion

mdg

Mar 3, 2022

Great work and a great story...

...I know what it's like to live in a very foreign city and fall in love with it, the people, and the culture. The watch looks fantastic : )

Gus7

Mar 3, 2022

you are so right about the experience of different cities, people and cultures

thank you for your comments.

ArmisT

Mar 3, 2022

Beautiful backstory that is perfectly punctuated by the beautiful design and outcome on that special Reverso.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Gus7

Mar 3, 2022

thank you! I did in fact retire last year and am now happily enjoying my retirement. I'm pleased to be able to do so at an age where I hope I shall continue to find ways of being active whether physically or intellectually!

AuHavrePro

Mar 3, 2022

Brilliant.

Inspirational story. Great design. Just tangibly compelling overall. Thanks for sharing here, and a wholehearted godspeed for spending your retirement years in much joy, sharing your horological endeavors here with us. Cheers to not working! Filip

Gus7

Mar 3, 2022

very kind of you! thank you, that means a lot.

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