A limited edition that’s made-to-order, the Reverso “Dragon” maintains the timeless, double-sided design, but with a black grand feu enamel dial and a hand-engraved case back portraying a Chinese dragon.

Commemorative Lunar New Year editions are not new for Jaeger-LeCoultre, as the brand produced an equivalent edition last year. However, the formal works: combining enamel and engraving results in a more elaborate design compared to the typical Reverso while still retaining the elegance and character of the model.

The watch showcases a captivating motif on its back. On closer inspection, intricate details come to the fore, with the dragon depicted in low relief against a fired enamel background. Although almost monochromatic, it is undeniably vivid.

Just like last year’s Tiger edition, the Reverso “Dragon” is made-to-order and is priced at US$107,000 before taxes. It comes in slightly higher than the previous Reverso models featuring similar artwork. It is expensive for what it is, despite the evident artistry of the decoration, particularly since Jaeger-LeCoultre is historically a brand associated with more affordable watches.

The Reverso “Dragon” depicts a dragon in the clouds against a stark black background. It was executed by the artisans from the in-house Métiers Rares workshop used modelled engraving, a technique that starts with the back being meticulously hand-painted with black enamel while leaving aside the silhouette of the dragon.

The painted surface undergoes firing in an oven and then polishing for a glossy finish. Then the back is entrusted to the engraver who works within the confines of the area without enamel. Using 10 different gravers, the engraver carefully removes material to form the dragon. Once complete, the engraved dragon’s scales are accented with black rhodium. The entire process takes up to 80 hours to complete.

The rest of the watch is identical to last year’s Reverso “Tiger”, with a black grand feu enamel dial, Dauphine hands and applied hour markers. The 18k pink gold case is 45.5 mm by 27.4 mm and 9.73 mm high. Like most Reverso models in this size, the watch features the manually-wound cal. 822. This venerable workhorse with its 42-hour power reserve has been used in the Reverso since the 1990s.