Imagine a typical watch box. What do you see? Probably a neat little leather box with a velvety interior and perhaps a zip or a press stud to keep your watch cosy and safe. Well, get ready to be amazed. L’Epée 1839 has a new solution that not only protects your watch but showcases it like never before.
A See-Through Box
For starters, the box is not opaque but fully transparent so you can appreciate your timepiece even when it is being stored away. But that’s just the beginning, the Watch Box (that’s also its name), has its own mechanical engine inside that powers an automaton of sorts. Press on the button on the outside of the case and the lid automatically opens and the watch is mechanically raised for optimal viewing. The act of closing the lid rewinds the mechanism (no manual winding required) so it is ready for reveal after reveal.
The movement has been entirely imagined, developed, and assembled in-house at L’Epée and its inner workings, with all its gears and levers, are on full display inside the Watch Box, adding an extra layer of mechanics to your favourite timepiece.
Hand Craftsmanship
The case is made of a mix of inox, acrylic glass, and microfibre resin and measures 215 mm (length) by 150 mm (width) by 140 mm (height) and weighs 3.4 kg. It comes with polished, sand-blasted, satin-finished, and lacquer finishings that has all been executed by the company’s talented artisans.
As each and every L’Epée 1839 creation is completely different, the company’s craftsmen and women have become specialists at producing complex components of varying sizes and hand-finishing them using a myriad of techniques. A review of their latest creations attests to this variety.
Creative Thinking
The mix of mechanical sculptures and objects not only keeps the company active in its search for new mechanical and production solutions, innovative materials, and finishing techniques, but it also keeps it highly creative when it comes to new ideas and thinking. The Watch Box is a totally new way to keep a watch safe from the elements, while also allowing watch lovers to present their watch like a work of art at home or in the office.
L'Epée 1839 is acquired by LVMH
The Watch Box is being launched today in Los Angeles as part of the LVMH Watch Week presentations. For those who are there, definitely go and check it out. This is the first year that L’Epée 1839 is exhibiting its novelties with the other LVMH brands following the French luxury group’s acquisition of the prestigious clockmaker in June last year. Prior to the deal, L’Epée 1839 had already collaborated with Tiffany & Co, for whom they had created a carriage clock inspired by 1950s Formula 1 cars, and with Louis Vuitton, with whom they worked together on a magnificent hot-air balloon.
LVMH’s acquisition of this 185-year-old brand is likely to have been influenced by its desire to preserve and develop historic savoir-faire in luxury craftsmanship. Now with a host of new sister brands/clients and the power of a big group behind it, we can surely expect some very exciting things to come from L’Epée 1839, so stay tuned for much more in 2025.
