L’Epée is a Swiss luxury watch brand with an impressive history dating back to 1839. For over 180 years, the company has been producing high-quality timepieces that are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs.
Among L’Epée’s most popular models is the Arachnophobia, which boasts a stunning spider-shaped movement with an intricate web of gears and components. The La Tour is another standout model, featuring a sleek and elegant design that showcases the brand’s meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. And then there’s the Time Machine, a masterpiece of engineering with an intricate and complex movement that is both beautiful and functional.
In every aspect of its watches, L’Epée’s commitment to excellence and tradition is evident. From the intricate movements to the timeless designs, every detail is crafted with the utmost precision and care.
Named for its Swiss co-founder Auguste L’Epée, the eponymous manufacturer of horological curios and music boxes was founded in 1839. Along with partner Pierre-Henri Paur, L’Epée developed a specialty in producing platform escapements - a vital component for the alarms and carriage clocks that were popular in the early 19th century. The company became such a leader in this field that by 1889, they produced 200,000 escapements annually.
Following the company’s acquisition by Swiza SA (itself a notable manufacturer of clocks), production of the L’Epée collections was transferred to Delémont - the capital of the Swiss Jura.
History
With a heritage of more than 180 years, L’Epée may be considered Switzerland’s preeminent maker of high-end mechanical clocks. The company was initially founded in the picturesque French village of Sainte-Suzanne, where its artisans made numerous breakthroughs in mechanical clockmaking (like the “anti-knocking” system) throughout the 20th century.
Despite its vaunted heritage - including an entry in the 1994 Guinness World Records - since 2014, L’Epée has enjoyed a particularly acclaimed association with MB&F. The co-branded Starfleet Machine proved pivotal to steering L’Epée’s current direction: wherein the company focuses on whimsical “horological sculptures,” inspired by eclectic subject matter ranging from animals to science fiction.
Iconic Models and Watches
Grenade, Time Fast II, T-Rex, The HODINKEE Travel Clock, Starfleet Explorer
