Here we have a beautiful retro piece of design, the brainchild of Roger Tallon, manufactured by LIP. This is a 1975 LIP Ecusson reference 43314. It comes on its original wide fit white strap, with the original LIP hangtag with model reference attached. It is in unworn, New Old Stock condition. It is a standout ladies watch of an incredibly unique design.
It has a layered mystery dial design with the hour hand represented by the fluorescent Orange baton tip, whilst the black minute marker sits on a floating disk. The LIP logo sits on the underside of the crystal, further adding to the intriguing depth of the design, casting a shadow on the minute disk. The black chapter ring provides the perfect contrast for the neon hour hand, with the balanced white Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 & 9.
The case measures 28mm x 30mm and despite it being a Ladies design, it is very much wearable by a Gent on another strap. It is formed of anodised Aluminium, which has a sand blasted finish. This neatly matches the finish of the minute disk. The shape of the case is so unusual, with the U shape and the offset cut out for the crown at 2 O’clock. This is a wonderful expression of design which tests our understanding of how a watch should appear.
The crown is of the classic form which Roger Tallon used on his series of LIP designs. A rubber ball sits within a straight spindle, adding another layer of texture and intrigue for the user of the watch.
To the rear is the snap-on case back which has the brushed finish and clear engravings. Inside is the manual wind LIP calibre T.13 movement which has its original cover. It is functioning well and keeping reliable time.
LIP and Roger Tallon:
A watch is often viewed through the lens of a utilitarian device, focused on function and accuracy. The real joy of the LIP watches designed by Roger Tallon comes from the incorporation of playfulness into watch manufacturing.
In 1972 he set up the agency Design Programmes which operated as brother-in-arms with the LIP watchmakers. In 1972 he was approached by LIP to design a new series of sports watches. He proposed the Mach 2000 collection, a striking array of forward thinking designs, many with asymmetrical cases.
Roger Tallon:
Roger Tallon was a French Industrial designer.
He studied as an engineer between 1944-1950 and was then employed by Caterpillar France and DuPont. In 1953 he joined Technes, the technical and aesthetic studies office, which was founded in 1949 by the father of industrial aesthetics, Jacques Vienot and Jean Parthenay. After a series of rapid promotions, he become the technical and artistic director, finally being sole director after Vienots death in 1959.
In 1957 he enrolled at the School of Applied Arts, in Paris and put in place the first design course in the country.
As a consultant for the US company General Electric, Tallon designed refrigerators and washing machines, setting up the design department of the company. In 1966 the Teleavia P111 portable television was put on the market, against the Boards advice. It subsequently broke the mould of TV design and was a huge commercial success, developing a cult following.
He had a remarkably varied half-century as a design, trying his hand at everything from staircases, chairs, watches, televisions and the French TGV Atlantique bullet train. He also created a concept aircraft cabin for Air France.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in perfect original condition with no signs of ageing.
Hands:
The orange hand and minute hand disk are in perfect original condition with no signs of ageing.
Glass:
The original crystal is in perfect condition with no marking.
Crown:
The crown is original and functions as it should. It is unworn, but the rubber is known to age. There is some aging visible to the bottom.
Case:
The case is anodised Aluminium and is in perfect unworn condition. It has the sand blasted finish.
Caseback:
The snap-on case back Stainless Steel and is in perfect unworn condition. It has the brushed finish with no marking. The engraving and serial number are clear.
Strap:
The watch is presented on its original white leather strap. It has some light marking associated with storage.
Movement:
The movement is a LIP calibre T.13. It has a jewel count of 17 and is manual wind. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It is shock protected.
The service history is unknown, but it is good condition. It’s keeping time to within +50 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 28mm
Case width with crown: 33.5mm
Case length: 30mm
Case Depth: 9.25mm
Lug width: 10mm