Pre-owned LIP watches

LIP is a flagship brand of French watchmaking, founded in 1867 in Besançon by Emmanuel Lipmann. A true pillar of French craftsmanship, LIP made its mark through a succession of technical innovations and emblematic models that shaped the brand's identity. As early as the late 19th century, the company stood out by industrializing watch production and introducing in-house calibers, such as the famous T18 movement, which symbolizes the precision and elegance of French watchmaking style.

During the 1930s to 1950s, LIP gained recognition with models such as the T18, gifted to Winston Churchill, and the Dauphine, embodying the understated elegance of the post-war era. The introduction of the LIP Electronic in 1952, the world's first electronic watch, propelled the brand to the forefront of modern watchmaking. Worn by figures such as Charles de Gaulle and Dwight Eisenhower, this watch affirmed LIP's technical excellence and global influence.

In the 1960s, the brand developed innovative models like the Nautic Ski, the first French waterproof watch to 200 meters, popularized by Éric Tabarly. In parallel, LIP collaborated with industrial designer Roger Tallon, who designed the iconic Mach 2000, a watch with avant-garde design that became a cult object. These pieces reflect LIP's visionary spirit, merging technology with radical aesthetics.

However, the late 1960s was marked by a major economic and social crisis. In 1973, the LIP workers' strike became a symbol of self-management in France, with the slogan "It's possible: we manufacture, we sell, we pay ourselves". This tumultuous period further anchored the brand in the French collective imagination.

Revived in the 1990s by Jean-Claude Sensemat, and again in 2014 by the Société des Montres Bisontines, LIP returned to its French manufacturing roots. Today, watches are assembled in Besançon, the historic heart of French horology, with a clear intention to revive iconic models while integrating contemporary technologies.

On the second-hand market, LIP watches are gaining growing interest. Collectors are actively seeking vintage models, whether the T18, Dauphine, Electronic, or Mach 2000, for their authenticity, distinctive design, and historical value. These watches are valuable reminders of a time when France played a significant role in global watchmaking.

At Mostra Store, we proudly showcase this horological heritage with a carefully selected range of pre-owned LIP watches, fully serviced and guaranteed. Whether you're a vintage piece collector or passionate about French horological design, owning a LIP watch means choosing a timepiece rich in history, emblematic of national craftsmanship and timeless elegance.