Kickstarter campagne. Deze is live sinds 21 februari. Op dit moment zitten op 35% van de € 75.000 die we op moeten halen. We moeten dus nog 49 stuks van de 100 verkopen (er worden maar 100 stuks gemaakt). Als we dit halen kunnen we de derde en laatste versie van onze Avantgarde Date – Re-launch Edition gaan produceren (jullie artikel vorig jaar ging over de tweede versie). Deze derde versie is voor ons nogal speciaal. We laten namelijk onze groei zien die we sinds de wederopleving van Lebois & Co in 2014 hebben doorgemaakt. De derde versie beschikt namelijk over een zeer nauwkeurig en zeer hoogwaardig gedecoreerd (mechanisch) uurwerk wat te zien is door een transparante (“open”) achterkant. De twee eerdere versies hadden ook een mechanisch uurwerk, echter was dit standaard (normaal nauwkeurig en niet gedecoreerd). Vandaar dat deze eerdere versies geen “open” achterkant hadden. De nieuwe versie legt de lat voor zowel onszelf alsook voor onze toekomstige modellen een stuk hoger.
Naast het feit dat we de laatste Re-launch Edition willen gaan produceren is het halen van de Kickstarter ook belangrijk voor het vervolg van Lebois & Co. Een derde succesvolle Kickstarter stelt ons namelijk in staat om door te gaan met de ontwikkeling van nieuwe modellen. We hebben innovatieve ideeën genoeg maar net als bij veel andere startups is de financiering elke keer een uitdaging. Zeker gezien het feit dat we kwalitatief hoogwaardige en onderscheidende producten willen maken zijn we steeds op zoek naar nieuwe manieren om dit voor elkaar kunnen krijgen.
Hieronder het persbericht:
Raising the bar: Lebois & Co releases their finest and most accurate watch yet!
Lebois & Co today announced their return to the Kickstarter program to raise funds for the ‘3rd Re- launch Edition’ of their Avantgarde Date – the first model in the collection of the reborn Lebois & Co.
“This new edition will not only complete our collection of three Re-launch Editions, but it also raises the bar for future models and strengthens the value proposition of our products,” added Van Wijlick. “The 3rd Re-launch Edition is fitted with the Top grade of the Swiss Made Sellita SW200-1 movement. The movement is decorated with Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève), perlage, diamant cutting and blue screws. It is adjusted in 5 positions and will run extremely accurate with an average rate of +/-4 seconds/day.”
Lebois & Co is a microbrand that is known the world over for fine-tuning and mastering the art of the perfect Swiss mechanical watch, keeping the careful balance of history, heritage, and a bit of something new, in every single watch they create.
The movement of the 3rd Re-launch Edition will be visible through a transparent case back. The watch comes with two genuine Buffalo leather straps, hand applied indexes and Lebois & Co’s signature red second hand. “As always, this latest edition will be Swiss Made, mechanical and will have an automatic winding system,” noted Van Wijlick, speaking on behalf of the 82-year-old resurrected watch brand.
Tom and Eveline, almost three years ago, came across a photo of a beautiful vintage watch, a Lebois & Co. They printed the picture of this watch and stuck it to their fridge. Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they started their research of this unknown brand, which lead to the re-registration of the brand name and the re-launch Lebois & Co, a well-respected watch brand with a rich history.
To celebrate the rebirth of Lebois & Co., the new team created three Re-launch variations of the Avantgarde Date, each limited to 100 pieces. The third of the three variations features a midnight black dial and genuine brown Buffalo strap (ref 112.433) and will be available as a reward for €975 in their Kickstarter project. After this project the retail price for this watch will be €1800.
ABOUT LEBOIS & CO
It is 11 days before Christmas 1934 when Lebois & Co is founded by French watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane, who represents the third generation of the Dodane watchmaker family. It’s mission is clear and simple: create aesthetic and affordable Luxury Swiss timepieces.
After World War II the brand Lebois & Co is handed over to Italian importers who outsource production to Dodane aswell as other Swiss watch manufacturers. With it’s new owners Lebois & Co’s primary market is Italy but the brand is also well established in the rest of Europe
In 1972 Lebois & Co ceases trading 40 years after it was founded, the original Lebois & Co stops producing watches and the brand ceases to exist. Despite the disappearance of Lebois & Co the brand is still known today and popular with watch collectors all over the world.
Early 2014 Tom & Eveline come across a picture of a beautiful vintage watch, a Lebois & Co Chronograph which was sold at an auction by Christie’s. They print the picture of this watch and stick it to their fridge. Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they start their research of this unfamiliar brand and their former owners.
Upon the approval of the Dodane family the brand is resurrected, exactly eighty years after the original company was founded. Continuing its mission to create aesthetic Luxury Swiss timepieces. Thanks to over 120 investors Lebois & Co is back on the wrist of watch enthusiasts around the world and its collection of new models grows slow but steady.