Adding to the range of high-end European luxury companies in its diverse portfolio, LVMH makes a move toward clockmaking with L’Epée 1839
Not every acquisition in the luxury sector makes sense, but Louis Vuitton buying L’Epée 1839 feels entirely intuitive. The high-end Swiss clockmaker possesses the pedigree and panache to shine as bright as a jewel in the LVMH portfolio.
Since 1839, L’Epée has been fabricating some of the most complicated clocks to come out of Switzerland, as well as significant components in high-end watch movements. Today, the company focuses on exceptionally complicated, one-of-a-kind clocks. It’s an interesting time for clocks. Clocks have become more interesting to collectors perusing the auction circuit lately, and even modern clocks from Van Cleef Arpels seem to be outshining the brand’s (also incredible) wrist watches.
L’Epée 1839 has made a hot air balloon clock for Louis Vuitton, bringing to life a long-standing icon of the French brand, but the clockmaker doesn’t stick to traditional designs. In a recent collaboration with avant garde watchmaker MB&F, L’Epée produced The Orb, a retro-futuristic mechanical clock that looks straight out of a sci-fi flick. When crafting mechanical devices at this elite level, it seems anything is possible. L’Epée clocks incorporate complications like perpetual calendars, tourbillons, and, in one instance, a power reserve of 8,760 hours—an entire year.
It sounds as if the LVMH acquisition isn’t going to disrupt the norms at L’Epée 1839, as over 80 employees and craftspeople, as well as the company’s CEO and creative director Arnaud Niocholas will retain their positions.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA
