A Reverso for a Milestone

Probably my most special Reverso is the Tribute Nonantième. For several years, I had been involved with a technology startup, first as an investor and then as an early employee. Anyone who has been part of a startup knows that there is a lot that happens between believing in an idea at the beginning and eventually seeing it succeed. In our case, the company was acquired, giving us the kind of exit that every early investor and employee hopes for.

I stayed with the new company as part of the acquisition, and after completing my first year of the earnout, I decided I wanted to do something for myself to mark what we had achieved. I wanted a Reverso Tribute Nonantième, but there was a slight problem. The Nonantième was a limited edition and, as far as I understood, the pieces had already been allocated. I had more or less missed my chance. Around that time, Catherine Rénier, who was then CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, was visiting Singapore, and I had the opportunity to meet her. I told her about the milestone and why I wanted the Nonantième to commemorate it. Somehow, Jaeger-LeCoultre managed to find one for me, and make this watch even more special.

I have bought watches for many reasons over the years, but this one will always take me back to a very particular period of my life. Whenever I put it on, it reminds me of something I helped build, the years that went into it, and a moment when I felt I had earned the right to give myself something special. Perhaps that is why it remains probably my most special Reverso.