Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel "Shahnameh": Persian Heritage in Miniature Enamel

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel "Shahnameh": Persian Heritage Meets Haute Horlogerie

For Watches and Wonders 2025, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled one of its most culturally ambitious collections to date: the Reverso Tribute Enamel "Shahnameh" series. Comprising four limited-edition timepieces, each limited to just 10 examples, the collection pays tribute to the Persian epic poem Shahnameh (Book of Kings) and the art of miniature enamel painting, while simultaneously celebrating the Reverso's origins in polo—a sport with roots stretching back over 2,000 years to ancient Persia.

The connection between the Reverso and the Shahnameh is more than superficial. The sport of polo, which inspired the creation of the Reverso's reversible case in 1931, originated in Persia as a game called chogvan. The Shahnameh, written by poet Ferdowsi around 1000 AD, chronicles the history of the Persian people and includes numerous references to polo. By combining these two threads of Persian heritage, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a collection that resonates on multiple cultural and historical levels.

The Four Masterpieces

Each of the four timepieces depicts a scene from the legendary cycle of the Shahnameh, specifically from the 16th-century edition dedicated to Shah Tahmasp and presented in 1568 to Ottoman sultan Selim II. This edition contained 258 traditional Persian miniature paintings, many featuring horses—a central symbol in Persian culture. The four scenes chosen for this collection are:

Siyavush Plays Polo Before Afrasiyab (Q39334S1) — Depicts the legendary rivalry between two provinces, with King Afrasiyab challenging the heroic Siyavush to a game of polo. Siyavush accepts and triumphs, showcasing his bravery. The dial features vibrant blue grand feu enamel over a sunray guilloché pattern, requiring seven hours of meticulous work plus eight hours of enameling.

Faridun Tests His Sons (Q39334S2) — In this powerful tale, King Faridun transforms into a mythical dragon to test the virtues of his three sons. The dial features an intricate herringbone guilloché pattern beneath translucent grand feu enamel in light blue, representing the landscape where the sons confront the dragon.

Saam Comes to Mount Alburz (Q39334S3) — The tragic tale of Saam, who abandoned his son Zal, is a story of regret and redemption. The dial reflects various shades of green with a wavy guilloché pattern beneath translucent green grand feu enamel, symbolizing forgiveness and divine intervention.

Rustam Pursues Akvan (Q39334S4) — One of the most celebrated stories of Persian folklore, where the hero Rustam defeats a demon in the form of an onager. The dial features rich green grand feu enamel over an intricate guilloché lozenge pattern with 980 lines of detail.

Métiers Rare: The Art of Four Techniques

Each caseback features a miniature reproduction of an illustration from the Shahnameh, created using four traditional artisanal crafts: miniature enamel painting, paillonnage (a rare decorative enameling technique that introduces thin gold leaf between layers of fired enamel), grand feu enamel, and guillochage (each dial has a distinct guilloché pattern created with a traditional rose engine).

The artwork is created at Jaeger-LeCoultre's Métiers Rare atelier in the Vallée de Joux, where artisans specialize in preserving these centuries-old techniques. Under magnification, the enamel paintings reveal an extraordinary amount of depth and detail, with each miniature scene requiring weeks of painstaking handwork.

Technical Specifications

Shared Specifications: Case: 18k White Gold, 45.6 x 27.4 x 9.73mm | Movement: Calibre 822 (Manual), 42-hour power reserve, 21,600 vph | Strap: Black Alligator | Limited Edition: 10 pieces each | Price: $142,000 USD

Historical Significance

The Shahnameh divides Persian history into three cycles: myth, legend, and history. The four timepieces in this collection depict scenes from the legendary cycle, with horses serving as central symbols throughout. In Persian culture, horses represented nobility, strength, and the warrior spirit—values that resonate with the Reverso's own sporting heritage.

The collection marks a rare intersection of watchmaking and cultural preservation. By commissioning miniature enamel reproductions of 16th-century Persian paintings, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created timepieces that function not only as luxury objects but also as portable works of art that carry forward centuries of artistic tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Shahnameh and why is it significant?

The Shahnameh (Book of Kings) is a Persian epic poem written by poet Ferdowsi around 1000 AD. It chronicles the history of the Persian people from mythological origins to the Islamic conquest. The 16th-century edition dedicated to Shah Tahmasp contained 258 miniature paintings and is considered one of the most important manuscripts in Persian art history.

How many of each Shahnameh Reverso model will be produced?

Each of the four models is limited to just 10 examples, making the total collection run only 40 pieces worldwide. At $142,000 each, these are positioned as museum-quality collectibles for serious collectors and institutions.

What enamel techniques are used in the Shahnameh collection?

Four techniques are combined: miniature enamel painting (hand-painting scenes with fine brushes), paillonnage (applying thin gold leaf between enamel layers), grand feu enamel (fired at high temperatures for durability and color depth), and guillochage (creating intricate patterns using a traditional rose engine).

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Sources

This article is based on reporting from aBlogtoWatch (March 31, 2025), Worn & Wound (April 10, 2025), and Monochrome Watches. All specifications and pricing sourced from official Jaeger-LeCoultre press materials.