Watchmakers and shoemakers may seem strange bedfellows, but this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in January witnessed the fruits of two happy collaborations: Jaeger-LeCoultre with Christian Louboutin and Roger Dubuis with Maison Massaro. Jaeger-LeCoultre is celebrating the 85th year of its iconic Reverso watch with the launch of new models divided along three stylistic expressions — Reverso Classic with its clear Art Deco inspiration; Reverso Tribute, which showcases the maison’s technical expertise with grande complications; and Reverso One, a new collection for women. Embracing the concept of haute couture creations, the brand is also launching the Atelier Reverso to offer custom-made watches.

While those buying a Reverso already have the option of engraving the back of their timepiece, as well as changing the strap, they can now go further in their customization of the Classic collection’s Duo and Duetto models, through the new Atelier, and also select from a range of alternative colors and materials for their dials. To showcase the creative possibilities of the Atelier, Jaeger-LeCoultre invited Louboutin to create seven dials and nine straps that can be mixed and matched. The fashionable creations use mother-of-pearl, gemstones, or aventurine on their dials, while the straps — some with Louboutin’s distinctive scarlet-red on their interior surfaces — are talking points of their own.

Also debuting at SIHH 2016 was the result of the collaboration between Roger Dubuis and Massaro. The idea behind the partnership, according to Roger Dubuis creative director Alvaro Maggini, was to bring together two brands that are unafraid to stand out from the crowd.

While those buying a Reverso already have the option of engraving the back of their timepiece, as well as changing the strap, they can now go further in their customization of the Classic collection’s Duo and Duetto models, through the new Atelier, and also select from a range of alternative colors and materials for their dials. To showcase the creative possibilities of the Atelier, Jaeger-LeCoultre invited Louboutin to create seven dials and nine straps that can be mixed and matched. The fashionable creations use mother-of-pearl, gemstones, or aventurine on their dials, while the straps — some with Louboutin’s distinctive scarlet-red on their interior surfaces — are talking points of their own.

Also debuting at SIHH 2016 was the result of the collaboration between Roger Dubuis and Massaro. The idea behind the partnership, according to Roger Dubuis creative director Alvaro Maggini, was to bring together two brands that are unafraid to stand out from the crowd.

The first model in a planned trilogy is called Rita, a tribute to silver-screen legend Rita Hayworth. The main feature is a gold-colored leather strap with an unusual torsade running down the middle, the hue echoing the yellow gold of the barrel-shaped dial center, which is pavéed with diamonds. The strap is secured by an adjustable folding clasp in white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, while the bezel, lugs, and decor of the white gold case are set with brilliant-cut diamonds.

More collaborations are anticipated with Massaro, which has already designed a pair of gold leather shoes with a similar torsade on its stiletto heels to complement the watch, though the two are sold separately.

First published on BLOUIN ARTINFO.com

When Watchmakers Meet Shoemakers