Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled the second series of the Reverso à Eclipse watch in tribute to Vincent van Gogh, featuring an enamelled miniature of the Dutch artist’s ‘Self-portrait as a Painter’ (1887-88) on the dial. 

This masterpiece is one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings and is on show at Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. 

The idea for these collaborations between Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Van Gogh Museum came from its Dutch boutique partner Gassan, whose wish to create a piece combining craftsmanship, art and heritage comes alive in these tributes to the famous painter. 

The great work of the Dutch impressionist is honoured in this second series with Van Gogh’s self-portrait enamelled on the dial of the watch crafted in the workshops of the Swiss manufacture. 

A simple gesture is enough to open the shutters of the watch, and to reveal a miniature recreation of Van Gogh’s work. The first series was presented in 2015 featuring his iconic Sunflowers.

The Reverso à Eclipse is a unique reversible watch featuring a platinum case equipped with the in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 849, which lends itself perfectly for one of the rarest fine art traditions, miniature enamel painting. This craftsmanship demands precision, virtuosity and patience from the enameling artists at the manufacture, one of the few places in the world where this fine art tradition is carried out. 

This unique masterpiece, of which only four pieces will be made, was achieved in close conjunction with Gassan and can be admired in the Van Gogh Museum. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s reputation as a master of inventive watchmaking dates back more than 180 years, and time-honoured ancient decorative arts are among the most precious crafts faithfully preserved by the Grande Maison in the Vallée de Joux. 

Enamelling, engraving and gem setting are all part of a range of rare skills that Jaeger-LeCoultre associates in its different watchmaking creations and that it masters beneath its own roof.

Gassan Diamonds focuses primarily on diamonds, gold jewellery and watches.