Sorry, but once again I succumbed to a couple of recent purchases from James Kibble. In my defense, I had not bought anything this year, plus, I felt a need to cheer myself up as I have had some irksome health problems this year – including latterly a dose of shingles. I would not wish this on anyone (aside from the current crop of dictators), and seven weeks in I am still suffering – despite being on a high dose of nerve pain killers. This is mainly why I have been dormant for the last few months. Anyway, enough of that.
So, why did this watch pique my interest. Well, to be truthful, nothing more than the fact that I posses a Lavin tie. I bought it last year from a local charity shop for the princely sum of £2.50! It screams the 1970’s – brown, black, and gold, and, frankly, is a bit naff. However, it is probably the softest silk tie I have ever handled and beautifully made. After having now worn a few times it has grown on me! I then saw this watch and was intrigued – both in its design, and the fact that I was unaware that Lanvin offered watches (undoubtedly manufactured by a third party Ed). The price was cheapish (low hundreds) and came down a bit more as I bought a second watch too.
So what did I buy. Well, I really only have fairly basic information as there are no reviews on the internet, and Lanvin themselves make no historic mention on their website. One assumes they have not offered watches for many years. What I do know though is that the watch is from the 1970’s – based on the movement used, plus the general design. The case – at some 34mm x 6.5mm, is round and, in Italian parlance is, say, a Disco Volante (flying saucer) shape, with hidden lugs. It is mainly gold plated, with a small steel case back. The dial is jet black and is decorated with concentric circles (like an old LP) – the application method of which is unclear. The script, in gold, is unusually situated in the bottom right quadrant in a rectangular panel, and simply says Lanvin and Paris. The two hands are dauphine shape (dagger-like) and look gold plated too. That’s really it for the aesthetics.
Turning to the movement, this is a manually wound ETA 2512-1. It sports 17 jewels and beats at 21,600. This movement, apparently, was made between 1976-1983.
I won’t go through the history of Lanvin in great detail here, but they started in Paris in 1889 by the clearly talented and precocious Jeanne Lavin. At the time of her death in 1946 at age 79, the business was very successful, covering both men’s and women’s clothing needs – off-the-peg and haute couture, along with perfume. Her daughter Marguerite took over, and when she died somewhat prematurely in 1955, her cousin Yves Lanvin took the helm. After this other entities took stakes in the business, and the family finally bowed out in 1996 when L’Oréal bought all the shares. They sold out in 2001 and several Far East companies then came in and out, resulting in final ownership today with Shanghai based Fosin Intl. The Lanvin Group was valued in 2023 at $1.5b. A new head of design recently came in – Peter Copping, who previously worked at Balenciga, Osca de la Renta, and Nina Ricci.
Looking at the Lanvin website today, I see no watches. There are a few older ones for sale on the internet (as above), with the most recent being from the 1980’s. All are at fairly modest prices. Other than that, there is a range of men and women’s wear – formal and casual, plus the usual extras such as shoes, handbags, scarves, and so on. Needless to say we are talking “expensive” here! I note sadly there are only a few ties available, and, compared to mine, all are pretty tame!
I think that will now for now. The watch is an attractive visual statement from the 1970’s, and from a famous fashion icon. It is currently running well and is light and comfy to wear. I will forgive the non-date as it is a dress watch! It was not expensive and, in its way, is actually pretty rare. I now make a point of trying to wear both of my Lanvin items together – a good talking point!
Words and Images. The Writer.
Note: Three vague images have been sourced from the internet, so whoever needs credit, I offer it!