The concept of producing a high end series of watches alongside your normal watch collections isn’t particularly new in watchmaking: Vacheron Constantin introduced their Métiers d’Art series in 2005. It’s a method of expressing your full capabilities as a watch brand without raising the prices for your standard watches. Across the past couple of years, a new term has been coined to describe these higher spec and more artistic collections: an ‘Atelier’ series. Timex, Christopher Ward and as of today, Lebois & Co. have all adopted this terminology. Lebois & Co. have used the term Atelier in the names of previous watches, but it’s now formalised as its own section within the brand’s range. The first watches in the Lebois & Co. Atelier series are the Heritage Small Seconds Clous de Paris and Stroopwafel®.
Lebois & Co.’s approach to their Atelier series is that it’s a sub-collection where they plan to release collaborations with industry leading experts. For this first pair of watches, that collaborative partner is GT Cadrans, an independent dial specialist. It’s therefore no surprise that the focal point of both watches is the dial, each featuring a distinct textural finish.
The Small Seconds Clous de Paris has a hobnail guilloché pattern produced through precise diamond cutting. On top of the Clous de Paris texture is a 24k, rose gold galvanic finish, adding a rich golden tone to the display that contrasts to the silver of the small seconds subdial and Breguet-style Arabic hour markers. It gives me the impression of a classical interpretation of Girard-Perregaux’s golden Laureato – at a significantly more affordable price to boot.
Second in the Lebois & Co. Atelier series is the Small Seconds Stroopwafel®, which is a reference to the fact that the brand is based in the Netherlands. The dial recreates the appearance of the iconic Dutch snack, which has been achieved through laser engraving. It has a sand-blasted golden brown finish that evokes the caramel sweetness of its inspiration. It has the same timekeeping markings as its counterpart.
Both watches feature a 37.8mm Heritage Small Seconds case in steel with a combination of brushed and polished finishing. Inside is the automatic calibre LC-350 with 56-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification. It’s based on the Sellita SW360-1, which is the small seconds variant of the SW300-1.
The Small Seconds Clous de Paris and Stroopwafel® are not limited editions, but they will still be fairly exclusive as they will only be available to purchase during limited time production runs. The first of these production runs takes place from July 27th to August 9th, a two week period. Anyone who purchases one will receive an ‘Atelier Discovery Set’ celebrating the collection while collectors who also pre-register before the 27th will receive an additional inauguration gift. Both versions are priced at €5,500 (approx. £4,700).
Lebois & Co. tend to produce very classical, heritage inspired watches so it’s fun to see them go out of their way to produce interesting and unusual designs like this. Plus, the Dutch connection is cool as there aren’t a huge number of Dutch watch brands, it’s something I think Lebois & Co. could use more often.
Price and Specs:
More details at Lebois & Co.
