The Reverso Exhibition has just opened its doors in Paris

Oct 24, 2021,18:34 PM
 

We were several Purists guys including our JLC moderator Amanico who could attend the event a few days ago, please find below my report.

The "Reverso, Intemporelle depuis 1931" exhibition has just opened in Paris and will run until the 24th of December at the 15 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The organisation of this event by Jaeger-Lecoultre is excellent news for several reasons.

First of all, it is good to see a major watchmaking event being held in Paris. It has to be said that for several years, and in particular after the end of the Salon Belles Montres, watch lovers have had the feeling that Paris has been downgraded, as if the brands considered that the City of Light had lost its attractiveness. It is true that boutiques were opening and large-scale projects such as La Samaritaine were taking shape, but there was still the perception that the sector's strategic orientations were aimed more at tourists than at local customers. Recent events (strikes, yellow jackets and other social movements) had not helped the situation either, against the backdrop of a delicate economic situation. It is therefore not insignificant to see a watch brand take possession of a central building in the luxury sector of Paris for two months with an event aimed not only at watch lovers but also at the general public.

The exhibition opens with Michael Murphy's "Space Time".



This is the second reason why the exhibition is so important. Thanks to the quality of its staging, its organisation around 4 main themes and its didactic dimension, it contributes to communicating in a positive way about the mechanical watch. Bringing visibility and passion back to this theme is a welcome step as the predominant feeling among French customers is that watchmaking has become a purely financial and speculative theme and that only a happy few have access to the well-known pieces that were relatively accessible ten years ago.

The perlage machine allows one to test one's patience and mastery:



The exhibition thus helps to arouse interest and curiosity among the younger generation. Although we are talking about traditional watchmaking and a watch that is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, this immersion in the world of the Reverso emphasises its very contemporary character. The Reverso has crossed the ages, has served as a support for numerous artistic approaches that have gone far beyond the initial art-deco context and has always been part of a perspective of technical and mechanical innovation, as certain recent models still prove. The renewal of the clientele being a major challenge for the industry, the exhibition can thus germinate small seeds in the minds of young visitors who may become the customers of tomorrow.

Sketches by Janek Deleskiewicz:



Finally, this exhibition came at the right time for Jaeger-Lecoultre, which needed to restore dynamism and modernity to its communication. I believe that the Manufacture, although one of the most efficient and capable from a technical point of view, had lost the visibility it deserved over the years and that it suffered from a rather old-fashioned image, out of step with the aspirations of its clientele. The quality of the exhibition, its contemporary presentation, the interactivity obtained thanks to the QR codes and certain activities (I am thinking in particular of the perlage) give Jaeger-Lecoultre a welcome spotlight and position the Manufacture in a much more contemporary dimension.



I was not going to forget one last very good reason to visit the exhibition: the tour ends with a gourmet break in the 1931 Café where you can taste Nina Métayer's cakes and pastries created for the occasion. The decoration of the 1931 Café is magnificent, with art-deco inspired furniture and accessories that take us back to the atmosphere of the era that saw the birth of the Reverso.

The very special gesture known to all Reverso owners:



Given the success of the exhibition and the limited number of visitors, it is advisable to prepare your visit by reserving a time slot. All the information about the visit as well as the booking form are available on the website dedicated to the exhibition. The visit is free of charge, but it is also possible to take part in the "Reverso" discovery workshop lasting one and a half hours in the presence of a trainer and a technical expert from the Manufacture. However, there is a charge for taking part in this workshop. Please note that only a few dates are available, so it is advisable to book well in advance.

The cakes and pastries of Nina Métayer:


For my part, after having been able to discover the exhibition during the opening night, I plan to go back to visit it more quietly and appreciate in particular the magnificent sketches of Janek Deleskiewicz which amazed me. So, if you're in Paris before Christmas, I urge you to spend an hour of your time browsing this masterful celebration of the many facets of the Reverso.

Please find some additional pics of the exhibition and the inauguration party:







Catherine Rénier, JLC CEO welcomed the guests:



Catherine Rénier with Janek Deleskiewicz:








Trying to do what I could with the perlage machine:



They are supposed to be my initials:























With JLC CEO, Catherine Rénier:













Fr.Xavier

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Nice

 
 By: xxn : October 24th, 2021-19:11
to see JLC embrace its flagship model. Excellent photo essay too.

Foversta, Thanks So Much For Sharing This...

 
 By: elliot55 : October 24th, 2021-20:23
... That is the kind of event I wish I could have attended. Amazing stuff and again, thanks so much for sharing it. - Scott

Nice report. Thanks.

 
 By: Alfihar : October 25th, 2021-04:53
It has been a pleasure to meet you. Best Ø

VERY COOL EXIBISION

 
 By: anaroku : October 25th, 2021-07:50

Very cool!

 
 By: Jp75 : October 28th, 2021-10:48
Very cool exhibition and also great report. Thanks for sharing all the nice pictures. Make me consider returning to the fold of JLC and Reverso. Used to have alone (Art Deco one), maybe time to rejoin the brand? Jérôme ...  

Thx for your excellent report with superb photography !.. What a wonderful effort by LGM !

 
 By: hs111 : November 1st, 2021-06:58
One little Question be allowed: - As apparently all plates & descriptions are (only ?) in French how did they accompany other languages, most importantly English ? Was this done by scanning the QR code on the displays ? Thx in advance, hs