Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso was introduced in 1931, originally as a watch that could protect itself on a polo player’s wrist. The Reverso’s design made it an icon of the Art Deco movement that flourished from the 1930s, but it has transcended this association to become a classic in its own right, even after Art Deco’s decline in the 1950s. The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 released this year pays tribute to its predecessor of that year, which was about to welcome the fifties and the post-war euphoria that came with it.

Inside the watch beats a Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822/2, a hand-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve – quite a surprise for a movement only 2.94mm thick. Available only in stainless steel, the watch has a silver-toned dial on which blue index markers and a blue minute track have been applied. The watch hands are blue as well, resulting in excellent legibility. At six o’clock is the small seconds sub-dial, similar to the main dial but in black with a blue second hand. The finishing details on the watch are the Jaeger-LeCoultre signature and, in a nod to the original 1948 model, the “Fabriqué en Suisse” inscription below it.

Despite a case height of nearly 47mm, the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 remains svelte thanks to its 27.4mm width and 7.3mm thickness. On a sufficiently wide wrist it can be a dress watch, and will easily slip under a cuff. Speaking of dimensions, the Reverso’s caseback is often personalised by its owner, thanks as much to its workable area as to its ability to be hidden or revealed. Jaeger-LeCoultre has offered such a service since 2011, with techniques covering engraving, setting of precious stones and even grand feu enamelling.

The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 is available only in Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques.