LVMH has acquired Swiza, owner of L’Epée 1839, a Swiss manufacturer of high-end timepieces, as the French luxury conglomerate strengthens its watches division.
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Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded by Auguste L’Epée some 185 years ago in Delémont, in the Swiss Jura, L’Epée 1839, is a specialist luxury timepiece maker, which designs and produces in-house.
The company initially specialised in the manufacture of watch components and was a pioneer in the production of music boxes in the 19th century, before evolving to develop a range of timepieces, firstly by producing carriage clocks for travelling officers, and then expanding its range of exclusive clocks, over the course the 20th century.
Today, each L’Epée 1839 clock incorporates several horological intricacies such as perpetual calendars, tourbillons, retrograde hands, and more. Special features include power reserves of up to 8,760 hours, or a full year – a signature of the maison, with each clock also serving as a creative ornament.
The clock company currently employs more than 80 designers, engineers, watchmakers, and mechanics, under the guide of Arnaud Nicolas, the firm’s CEO and creative director.
“L’Epée 1839 is a brand of mechanical objets d’art with an unrivalled and unique expertise. Its creations span the ages; from officer’s carriage clocks, to space rockets, to the automotive inspirations of the 1950s, its products appeal to a public of enthusiasts for fine mechanics,” said Frédéric Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH watches division, who appointed to the role in January this year.
“L’Epée is also a renowned manufacturer, with the capacity to develop and design objects, and in particular the unique ability to interpret horological intricacies in three dimensions. Most of the company’s components are produced in-house demonstrating its strong creative prowess. L’Epée has initiated a number of watchmaking partnerships that we will maintain and develop with Arnaud Nicolas, and I am excited by the untapped creative potential of the various LVMH Group maisons associated with this exceptional expertise.”
LVMH is no stranger to the L’Epée 1839 brand. Last year, the Paris-based giant teamed up with horologist for its Tiffany’s brand, creating a carriage clock in the shape of the first Formula 1 cars from the 1950s, to mark the reopening of its boutique on 5th Avenue in New York.
Louis Vuitton also called on L’Epée 1839 to create a hot-air balloon, a symbol regularly used by the maison.