patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
33515
I like your analytical thinking and healthy skepticism!
So, the main reason why a lot of people have the habit of wearing a watch while playing - is simply this, taking off the watch, there is a high risk of loss. I can tell you, a lot of watches disappear in locker rooms at country clubs. Who knows, maybe the steward boys have keys to all the lockers? This isn't a very satisfying answer. The military mentality is also to carry as much as you can on you - and the watch was seen as a very personal tool. In the 1930s, this was the dawning of wristwatches and time when men still often wore pocket watches - and they would even wear pocket watches while playing many sports!
Here's an interesting story regarding Cartier, JLC et al and the genesis of the Reverso. It's probably well known to most people here but it's news to me and maybe some other WPS-ers.
It is from the Sotheby's catalog for an upcoming auction in Hong Kong April 24, 2026. https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/important-watches-4/tank-reversible-a-yellow-gold-rectangular?locale=en The Reverso case was developed by the designer René-...
The Patek and Vacheron versions are rare oddities, seldom seen,,,,
Monaco Legends have a VC version on auction right now, which will no doubt fetch a pretty penny. Anyway, back to the Reverso story, there's always been a logical falacy I wondered with its origin story - if polo players were so worried about damaging thei...
My brother also pointed out to me that Polo is played right handed.
I never researched that myself but if true then there's another reason to doubt this rationale. Maybe the story is kinda like the Pasha story. Dubious.
Yes. Polo is generally played right handed.
You hold the reins of the horse with the left hand. And you play with the mallet with your right hand. Left-handed people are generally strictly required to still play as a right-handed person. While the left wrist is relatively safe from impacts, impacts...
I like your analytical thinking and healthy skepticism!
So, the main reason why a lot of people have the habit of wearing a watch while playing - is simply this, taking off the watch, there is a high risk of loss. I can tell you, a lot of watches disappear in locker rooms at country clubs. Who knows, maybe the...
There's a Sport Fashion innovation opportunity waiting to happen...
The Polo Vest Watch Pocket. I'm in the studio right now stitching up a prototype.
I find Cartier's 1970s take on the reversible case design very nice, personally.
It's a very nice alternative to the Reverso. Best, Emmanuel
And more examples of Cartier exploring the possibilities of reversibility.
the 1970's Cabriolet and Basculante from 1932 photos from Hodinkee ...
The Basculante is definitely not as good of a design as the Reverso - the case is more complex and the Reverso feels more solid.
And notice, the Basculante's dial is framed by three pieces of metal - which makes the watch look slightly bulky in proportion to the Reverso. But this 1930s Cartier that flips is a very elegant design and better than the Basculante in my eyes.
Why is that?
The Cabriolet is 2/3 of the Basculante structure but I've never noticed a Basculante all scratched up on the sides.