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According to Eastern culture, the dragon represents good fortune, prosperity, and the strength of an entire nation. As a mythical creature, the dragon is often associated with auspicious qualities, embodying leadership and excellence. The dragon is a timeless and revered symbol, reflecting the rich history and cultural heritage of a region.
In the language of the universe and time, the image of the dragon, from its graceful curves to the intricate details of its scales, is a testament to the precision required in watchmaking. Every gear, screw, and spring of the watch reflects the form of the dragon.
For L'Epée 1839, art lies in the eye of the beholder.
L'Epée 1839 Dragon – A realistic portrayal of the meaning of life.
For L'Epée 1839, art lies in the eye of the beholder. The dragon is born from the boundless imagination of humankind, and this watch will be a completely different version, combining the stories and aspirations of many cultures.
To illustrate this point, people often compare the image of the dragon in Eastern and Western cultures. In Eastern culture, the dragon is seen as an omen of good fortune, wisdom, or a powerful source of positive energy. Conversely, in the West, the dragon is the embodiment of primordial chaos, depicted as ferocious, enormous, fire-breathing creatures with wings and four legs.
This watch will be a completely different version, combining the stories and aspirations of various cultures.
In L'Epée 1839's interpretation, whether symbolizing good fortune or misfortune, the dragon represents life, bringing not only happiness and joy but also separation, so that we may learn to cherish time and strive harder.
The brand proactively reimagined this idea through the new design of the dragon's shape on its watch. L'Epée 1839 not only "attached" the dragon to the movement, but created a special mechanism that could serve as a support for the dragon's image to soar and shine like a work of mechanical art.
Guardian of the Flow of Time
L'Epée 1839 began exploring innovative watch designs when its creative team collaborated with Eric Meyer. Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of the brand, shared: “I’ve always wanted to connect L’Epée 1839 with Eastern culture, and the dragon – a symbol of power, strength, and prosperity – was the perfect choice. Furthermore, working with Eric Meyer on every detail and component of the dragon was a truly unique and novel experience.”
The L'Epée 1839 Dragon is an exceptionally unique table clock, with mechanisms similar to those of a wristwatch, differing only in its larger size. Inside the Dragon's movement are a gear train, mainspring, balance wheel, and escapement. The L'Epée's regulator is supported by the Incabloc shock-absorbing system, typically found only in wristwatches, minimizing the risk of damage from impacts during shipping.
However, because the L'Epée Dragon is essentially a table clock, its internal components and parts are considerably larger than those of a wristwatch, meaning the manufacturing and assembly process is significantly more complex. L'Epée CEO Arnaud Nicolas explains: “Most people would think that larger parts are easier to manufacture, but that’s not the case. To polish it, the artisans need to apply the same force as when finishing a watch movement, but on a larger surface, making it more difficult. It is thanks to the experience and skill of the artisans that the ‘Dragon’ achieves such exquisite finishing.”
The brand proactively reinterpreted this idea through the new design of the dragon shape on its watch.
The “Swiss Made Calibre 1853” movement, entirely crafted by L'Epée 1839, is the result of meticulous craftsmanship in assembling 124 components. The dragon design on the watch evokes the feeling of protecting the most precious part of the movement – the chain and gears. Furthermore, the two versions of the dragon, with gold or palladium scales, feature a reflective posture, their winding bodies embracing the entire movement, ensuring the safety of the timepiece.
The escapement also plays a crucial role in regulating the energy release process, ensuring the smooth movement of the watch. The highly precise gear train ensures continuous and consistent energy transmission. The mainspring, symbolizing the dragon's vibrant life force, stores and releases energy for up to 8 days.
This mechanical timepiece serves not only as a desk clock but also as a work of art expressing the brand's reverence for a long-standing cultural icon, with 3 versions in gold plating, palladium plating, or red lacquer, each limited to only 88 pieces worldwide.
