The watches of the French brand LIP fit perfectly in the current trend of watches with ‘Heritage’ (heritage). There is a lot to tell about the brand and all models …
The Rich History of Lip Watches
Lip focuses entirely on watches based on their own history. The brand has been around since 1867 when Emmanuel Lipmann started a small watch atelier in the city of Besançon. He had a unique vision in which the newest watch technology for that time was combined with often avant-garde designs. His (grand) children continue the company and have always remained faithful to this vision.
In 1952, for example, the brand patented the first electric watch in Europe, the Lip R27. This was a revolutionary step, because the R27 was not only technically progressive, but also a status symbol: it was proudly worn by French President Charles de Gaulle, to which the modern variant of this watch was named.
Moreover, lip watches were so carefully designed and manufactured that they did not go back for watches that were normally worn alone by people who could afford something like that. Really ‘bon chic, bon genre’; Good style, good class.
The family business grew so quickly into one of the most popular brands in France. And by staying faithful to himself and keeping production in France, Lip also survived the quartz crisis of the 1970s and eighties in which Japanese (digital) watches praised traditional brands from the market. The C’est Possible watch is a tribute to this turbulent period for the brand and the workers who worked there.
After the company was finally bought out, it has now returned to its roots in Besançon and LIP focuses entirely on the production of modern watches based on historical models from its own collection.
Lip’s most popular watches
If we described each lip watch separately, this article would be very long, so for now we only discuss the three most popular lines of the brand: Churchill, Himalayas and the Mach 2000.
Lip churchill watches
Lip presented the T18 in 2024. A remake of the iconic watch from 1933. The name of the watch comes from the form (t for ‘Tonneau’) 18 to the width of the timepiece. The nickname ‘Churchill’ was given the watch in 1948 when the British Prime Minister was presented with an 18-carat Golden version of this watch as a thank you for his role in the Second World War.
Until 1949 the T18 was the worldwide best-selling mass-produced rectangular watch ever.
In the meantime, the series has been expanded with a T13, T21, T24 and T26, where the name refers to the width of the cabinet.
Lip Himalaya Watches
In 1950, Alpinists Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the 8,000 -meter high Top of the Annapurna. They carried a lip watch with R23 timepieces. This exceptional achievement inspired Lip in the design of the modern Himalayan series. Classic-sporty watches in various versions such as a chronograph with ‘Panda’ dial, classic (men’s) watches with indexes that have the shape of a mountain top and even squelette watches. Here too, Lip remains faithful to the French roots: all day date indications on Himalaya watches are in French!
Lip Mach 2000 Watches
In the 1970s, LIP started working with the industrial designer Roger Tallon, known for the design of the TGV. The iconic Mach 2000 series, with playful shapes and primary colors is his hand, just like the Big TV. These watches are striking and not everyday with their own ‘mid-century’ charm and are still loved by collectors and design lovers.
Many more lip watches at Horlte.nl
Curious about the special watches from Lip? In addition to the MACH 2000, Churchill and Himalaya, HOOGE.NL also sells the other lines of LIP. Such as the eccentric Big TV and the stylish, minimalist Dauphine watches that are named after a famous Renault car. Or – if you like sporting watches more, the great Nautic ski! View them now on our site, or visit our store in Rotterdam where all lip watches can be admired in real life.