The Reverso is, in essence, one of the very first sports wristwatches.

Despite its refined and elegant appearance, it combined utility with a sleek Art Deco exterior that has become an icon of horological design. But in the case of the Reverso, looks deceive.

Though the model appears at first glance a dress watch, it owes its existence to the gentlemanly sport of polo. While touring India in the early 1930s, Swiss businessman César de Trey met a British polo player who'd just cracked the crystal of his watch on the field. De Trey returned to Switzerland with an idea already taken root in his head, which he then discussed with Jacques-David LeCoultre: What if a watch could be made with a case that could reverse?

The reversible case, masterminded by designer Alfred Chauvot, was Jaeger-LeCoultre's solution to the problems polo players faced on the field. Once reversed, the delicate components of the case were protected from the shocks sustained while on horseback. No more would polo players crack the crystals or damage the dials of their watches. Chauvot took out a patent for the Reverso in March 1931. Produced chiefly in steel, Jaeger-LeCoultre also released the Reverso in gold, and decorated the case back with engravings or even miniature portraits.

This particular Reverso, a Grand Taille, comes in with a 26mm stainless steel reversible case and features a signed crown, a sapphire crystal, and a lovely multi-tone silver dial with printed 'Arabic' indices and a matching blued-steel 'sword' handset.

Powered by JLC'c Calibre 822 manual winding movement, this piece comes fitted to a fantastic, 5-link 'beads-of-rice' bracelet with a signed deployant clasp.

In terms of elegant design and horological prowess, this watch punches way above its weight class, and simply cannot be overlooked.