New: LIP watches

The watches of the French brand LIP fit perfectly into the current trend of watches with ‘heritage’. There is a lot to tell about the brand and all the models…

The rich history of LIP watches

LIP focuses entirely on watches that are based on their own history. The brand has existed since 1867 when Emmanuel Lipmann started a small watch workshop in the city of Besançon. He had a unique vision in which the latest watch technology for that time was combined with often avant-garde designs. His (grand)children continued the company and have always remained true to this vision.

For example, in 1952 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 the French president Charles de Gaulle, after whom the modern version of this watch is named.

Moreover, LIP watches were so carefully designed and manufactured that they were not inferior to watches that were normally only worn by people who could afford them. Really ‘bon chique, bon genre’; Good style, good class. The family business quickly grew into one of the most popular brands in France. And by staying true to itself and keeping production in France, LIP also survived the quartz crisis of the seventies and eighties when Japanese (digital) watches priced traditional brands out of 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 eventually 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.

The most popular LIP watches

If we were to describe each LIP watch separately, this article would be very long, so for now we will only discuss the three most popular lines: Churchill, Himalaya and the Mach 2000.

LIP Churchill watches

In 2024, LIP presented the T18. A remake of the iconic watch from 1933. The name of the watch comes from the shape (T for 'tonneau') 18 after the width of the movement. The watch was nicknamed 'Churchill' in 1948 when the British Prime Minister was presented with an 18-carat gold version of this watch as a thank you for his role in the Second World War.
Until 1949, the T18 was the world's best-selling mass-produced rectangular watch ever.
The series has since been expanded with a T13, T21, T24 and T26, the name in this instance referring to the width of the case.

LIP Himalaya watches

In 1950, mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the 8,000-meter summit of the Annapurna. They wore a LIP watch with an R23 movement. This exceptional achievement inspired LIP to design the modern Himalaya series. Classic-sporty watches in various versions, such as a chronograph with a ‘panda’ dial, classic (men’s) watches with indexes in the shape of a mountain peak and even skeleton watches. Here too, LIP remains true to its French roots: all day-date indications on Himalaya watches are in French!

LIP Mach 2000 watches

In the 1970s, LIP started working with industrial designer Roger Tallon, known for his design of the TGV (French high speed train). The iconic Mach 2000 series, with playful shapes and primary colours, is his work, as is the Big TV. These watches are striking and unusual, with their own unique ‘mid-century’ charm, and are still popular with collectors and design enthousiasts.

Even more LIP watches at Watch.co.uk

Curious about these special LIP watches? In addition to the Mach 2000, Churchill and Himalaya, Watch.co.uk also sells the other lines from LIP. Such as the Excentric Big TV and the stylish, minimalist Dauphine watches that are named after a famous Renault car. Or - if you prefer sporty watches, the great Nautic Ski! View them now on our site.