The Inverso 60-L: Art Deco, Reversed
Oct 11, 2026 · @Rez Khan
In 1931, polo players in British India had a problem: a match could shatter a watch crystal in seconds. The answer was a case that flipped over, hiding the dial behind a plain steel back. Nearly a century later, that idea is still one of the most recognisable shapes in watchmaking.
The Specht & Söhne Inverso 60-L is our tribute to that icon, the Reverso, and to the Art Deco era that produced it. It keeps the rectangular case, the flip and the clean geometry, then sizes it up for a modern wrist. The “L” stands for large: the 60-L is bigger than our standard Inverso models.
A case that turns over
The case is 316L stainless steel, the same alloy used in most serious steel sports and dress watches for its corrosion resistance. It slides in its cradle and flips to show a solid steel caseback, so the dial can be protected, or simply hidden when you want a cleaner look.
The finishing is where the Art Deco character lives. Crisp edges, polished surfaces and subtle engraving give the steel some depth without adding fuss. A push-in crown keeps the side profile clean.
The dial
The dial takes its cue from early 20th-century dress watches. Bold, refined hour markers sit on a calm background, readable at a glance and never cluttered. Hands and markers are luminous, a practical touch the 1930s originals rarely offered.
A sapphire crystal sits on top. It is far more scratch-resistant than mineral glass, which matters on a watch you will handle every time you flip it.
Why the “L” matters
Rectangular watches wear differently from round ones. Their length, not their width, decides how big they look. At 26.5 mm wide and 42 mm lug to lug, the 60-L has real wrist presence while keeping the slim, elegant proportions of the original style.
At 8.9 mm thick, it still slips under a shirt cuff. That makes it a natural dress watch, but it is comfortable enough to wear every day.
Inside: quartz, by choice
The Inverso 60-L runs on quartz, and we chose that deliberately. A quartz movement is accurate to within seconds a month, needs no winding and shrugs off being left in a drawer for a week. For a watch you may flip, swap between outfits and pick up only for occasions, that reliability is the point.
The two-hand version uses a Swiss Ronda quartz movement. The version with a subsidiary dial uses a Japanese quartz movement.
A supple genuine leather strap, 20 mm wide, finishes the vintage look and fastens with a hook buckle.
Specifications
| Feature | Inverso 60-L |
|---|---|
| Case width | 26.5 mm |
| Lug to lug | 42 mm |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm |
| Case | 316L stainless steel, reversible, push-in crown, steel caseback |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Movement | Ronda quartz (two-hand); Japanese quartz (subsidiary-dial version) |
| Lume | Luminous dial markers and hands |
| Strap | Genuine leather, 20 mm |
| Buckle | Hook buckle |
Who it’s for
The Inverso 60-L is for anyone drawn to the shape and story of the 1930s reversible watch who wants it at a modern size and without the upkeep of a mechanical movement. Wear it dial-out with a suit, flip it for a cleaner look on the weekend, or simply enjoy turning it over at your desk.
It is a horological icon, reinterpreted with care for a new generation of enthusiasts.