REINFORCING SWISS MECHANICAL CLOCKMAKING
L’Epée, the pride of 20th century horology in the Franche Comté region of France, has just been acquired by Swiza S.A. Switzerland’s largest clockmaker is thereby reinforcing its presence on the promising market of mechanical timepieces by adding l’Epée to its own mechanical table-clock brand, Matthew Norman.
A RETURN TO ROOTS
This is some ways a return to its origins for L’Epée, since it was founded in Sainte-Suzanne (France) by Auguste l’Epée, a Swiss watchmaker from the region of Neuchâtel. After a fairly eventful history, which even took it from France to England for a few years, L’Epée is now ensuring its future by joining the largest Swiss clockmaking brand.
A RELIABLE VALUE
In acquiring the L’Epée brand, Swiza S.A. is pursuing a strategy of medium- and long-term reinforcement, building upon its legitimacy as a Manufacture specialising in mechanical movements expressed through its proprietary Matthew Norman brand for the past couple of decades, and in the past through the historical Swiza brand founded in 1904.
L’Epée is a welcome complement to the portfolio, with its prestigious mechanical table-clock collections, faithful replicas of the 19th century clocks known in France as “officer’s clocks”. The name is based on an historical anecdote. It is said that Napoleon, after almost losing a battle because one of his officers was late, ordered his military chiefs to carry a clock with them at all times – hence its historical name.
Since 2009, the L’Epée collections are made in the workshops of Swiza S.A in Delémont, in the Swiss Jura region. The brand’s genetic heritage is clearly respected through the scrupulously authentic reproduction of historical timepieces, with the added bonus of legendary Swiss quality.
The pictured table clock: Vénitienne collection
This historical collection is named in honour of Venetian goldsmiths who contributed to ensuring the aesthetic elegance of this refined model..
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Movement: |
Mechanical 8-day, Swiss made |
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Function: |
Striking mechanism, repeater, alarm, day, date, moon phases, small seconds at 12 o’clock |
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Cabinet : |
Solid brass, hand-polished and coated with a protective lacquer |
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Dial: |
White, Roman numerals |
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Dimensions : |
184 x 95 x 108 mm / 7 ¼ x 3 ¾ x 4 ¼ " |
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L’Epée is back in Baselworld :
To be discovered on booth E09, hall 5.1.
From March 26 to April 2, 2009. | |
