A thousand years of Persian art, revived on the wrist. 

One of the oldest epic poems in the world is turned into wearable art with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel “Shahnameh,” a poetic fusion of horology and tradition. The Reverso has long served as a blank canvas for tiny enamel painting because of its flip cover and plain back. In this four-part series, Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) honors Ferdowsi’s 11th-century Persian literary classic, the Shahnameh, also known as the “Book of Kings.” 

The pictures in the collection were commissioned in the 16th century by Shah Tahmasp, the second Safavid dynasty king. More than 250 paintings were previously included in that fabled text, which took 20 years to finish and is called The Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp. Its vivid colors, intricate representations of myth, and celebration of royal virtue continue to make it one of the best specimens of Persian miniature painting, despite being dispersed throughout museums today. 

The Canvas on the Reverso  

The Reverso was first designed in 1931 for British officers in India who needed to shield their watch crystals during polo tournaments. Since then, it has undergone significant change. Today, its rotating case acts as a link between great art and horology. One of the few watchmakers with an enameling workshop on-site, Jaeger-LeCoultre, has honored artists from Monet to Van Gogh using this format. However, the “Shahnameh” editions represent a significant cultural change, shifting the focus from Europe to the Middle East, the birthplace of polo. 

The four white-gold timepieces in this limited edition each have a unique enamel miniature that portrays well-known Persian mythological scenes on the back: 

• Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab 

• Faridun Tests His Sons 

• Saam Comes to Mount Alburz 

• Rustam Pursues Akvan 

The Persian epic’s moral drama and vivid storytelling are brought to life in these pieces, which were created by JLC’s master enamellers utilizing ancient Grand Feu techniques. The dials, on the other hand, are tastefully simple and feature flinqué enamel, which is a coating of translucent enamel put over a guilloché basis.

Detail and Craftsmanship

Each Reverso “Shahnameh” is housed in the iconic Grande Taille white-gold case and measures 45.6 mm by 27.4 mm with a thin height of 9.73 mm. The Calibre 822, a hand-wound movement made especially for the rectangular shape of the Reverso, beats inside. With a 42-hour power reserve and a sophisticated design that accentuates the understated elegance of the front dial, the movement, which was first introduced in 1991, continues to set the standard for dependability and simplicity. 

Although the front dials vary slightly, some have a lozenge design in forest tones, while others have wave guilloché in sea green, all of them stick to the simple, Art Deco proportions that characterize the Reverso line. These fronts provide understated elegance, guaranteeing that the enamel painting that is exposed when the case is turned over stays the primary attraction. 

Tales in Enamel 

The narrative depth of two of the four timepieces is particularly noteworthy. In “Saam Comes to Mount Alburz,” the prince makes a comeback to retrieve Zal, his albino son, whom he had left behind due to superstition. Perched above the mountains in the scene is the legendary Simurgh, a knowledgeable and kind bird that reared Zal and represents atonement and divine direction. Its sweeping fluidity and jewel-like hue are captured in JLC’s replica of the original folio, which is housed in Berlin’s Museum of Islamic Art. The Persian hero is shown fighting a horned demon that can transform into a onager (wild donkey) in “Rustam Pursues Akvan,” which is currently housed in the Aga Khan Museum collection. Rustam defeats the demon by tricking him with cunning and might, a classic example of intellect triumphing over force. From the twisted corpses to the elaborate Persian designs enclosing the scene, every brushstroke on the enamel surface evokes tension and action. 

Art on the Wrist 

Even while the dials are beautiful, they might not have the same transcendence as the small enameling on the reverses, which reaches almost museum level. Reviewers pointed out little variations in the flinqué enamel’s clarity on the prototypes; they will probably be fixed in the finished product. Nevertheless, these timepieces rank among the best métiers d’art in contemporary horology due to their entire execution. The Reverso Tribute Enamel “Shahnameh” reaches rarefied status for over $142,000 USD per. The cost, however, is a reflection of both the historic value of preserving Persian art in Swiss craftsmanship as well as the hours of hand painting needed for each dial. 

A Gathering of Civilizations
These timepieces are more than just rarities; they are a meeting of two traditions: Persian poetry and Swiss precision. The “Shahnameh” Reverso shows how the language of art is not limited by time or place. For collectors, it provides a material connection to a thousand years of storytelling, encapsulated in enamel, gold, and fire; for Jaeger-LeCoultre, it is a contemplative recognition of the worldwide legacy that informs contemporary luxury. The Reverso Tribute Enamel “Shahnameh” challenges us to stop, flip the page, rediscover history, and realize that time itself may be a work of art in a world that goes quickly.