LeCoultre Reverso circa 1935
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1935
Maker / issuer
LeCoultreThis LeCoultre Reverso wristwatch, dating to circa 1935, is a rectangular timepiece featuring a swiveling case mechanism. The watch displays a silvered dial with applied baton indexes, slender hands, and a geometric minute track, complemented by a dedicated rectangular small-seconds display positioned at 6 o'clock.
The dial is signed simply with the LeCoultre name. The case incorporates signature horizontal gadroons above and below the dial area. The reverse side of the casing bears the engraved initials "AK". The watch is presented with a leather strap. This timepiece is associated with British provenance, including a bill of sale from the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company and historical details identifying the original owner as Archibald Kelso, who reportedly received the watch as a wedding gift.
The design was conceived to allow the case to rotate within its cradle to protect the crystal during athletic activities.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1935
- Type
- Reverso wristwatch
- Maker
- LeCoultre
- Case type
- Reversible rectangular case
- Provenance
- Archibald Kelso
- Case engraving
- AK
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- LeCoultre
Design
- Dial and Signing
- The silvered dial displays a warm, aged patina consistent with its age. It features applied baton-style hour markers and slender hands, paired with a geometric minute track that frames the perimeter. A sub-dial for small seconds is situated at the bottom of the dial, contained within its own rectangular frame. The dial is signed "LeCoultre" in a minimal style. The absence of the "Jaeger" prefix on the dial indicates the watch was manufactured during the period before the formal unification of the Jaeger and LeCoultre names in 1937.
- Visible features
- • Rectangular case with horizontal gadroon detailing • Silvered dial with aged patina • Engraved initials 'AK' on the case reverse • Small-seconds display at the 6 o'clock position
- Case and Mechanism
- The watch features a rectangular case designed with a pivoting mechanism that allows the wearer to rotate the watch body within its frame. This construction was intended to protect the crystal during use in sports. The case exterior is finished with horizontal gadroons, located immediately above and below the dial opening on the stationary frame. The reverse side of the swiveling case is flat and serves as an area for personalization, evidenced here by the engraved initials "AK". The case dimensions and rotating mount define the watch's functional profile as an early iteration of the Reverso design.
- Provenance and History
- The watch is documented with a series of items confirming its history. These include an original British bill of sale from the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, a period photograph of the original owner, and a written family history. According to the provided documentation, the watch was a wedding gift to Archibald Kelso from his future wife, Lilian Simpson. Kelso was a master confectioner based in Glasgow, and the association between the owners and their history is maintained through these accompanying documents.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact production date is approximate
- Research required: The provenance depends on accompanying family records