S.T. Dupont, 150 years of craftsmanship, luxury and creativity.

Introduction:

S.T. Dupont represents the splendour of French brands of objects. When are completed 150 years, a brand transcends itself to become a myth (3 – m. Person or thing surrounded by extraordinary admiration and esteem). This happens to very few brands, only a select few, among which I am honored to introduce S.T. Dupont.

Synonymous with luxury, it has managed to combine during all these years, an overflowing creativity, an uncompromising quality and a simply exceptional artistic background . S.T. Dupont, thanks to a history full of indelible milestones, has allowed us to savor articles made with extraordinary good taste, unsurpassed quality and mesmerizing beauty.

S. T. Dupont, brief history:

SimonTissot Dupont was born in 1847 in Faverges, a small village in the French Alps. The surname Tissot was very common, so it was customary to add a nickname to the surname “Tissot” to differentiate one Tissot from another. In this case, because his family’s mill was next to the bridge at Arcier, Simon was renamed Simon Tissot “of the bridge” (Dupont).

In 1848, François Tissot, Simon’s uncle, moved to Paris to seek his fortune. He began collaborating with a famous photographer named Cremiere. At the death of Cremiere, François Tissot He became head of the photographic studio and was appointed court photographer of the King of France, Napoleon III. François claimed his nephew Simon to accompany you in Paris, appointed him his assistant and introduced him to the great men of the time, to whom Simon He would start by selling some of the briefcases he designed.

Subsequently, with his entrepreneurial spirit, Simon set up a carriage company, which unfortunately went bankrupt due to a fire. In 1872 he founded the firm S.T. Dupont and, at the age of 25, opened his fur workshop where he would make highly appreciated objects (bags, travel sets, etc …) with great success among a very refined clientele (Eugenia de Montijo commissioned a toiletry bag).

His personalized travel trunks became a must-have accessory for the European elite. Due to the success, he expanded his workshop at the end of World War I to a three-storey building together with his sons Lucien and André, who helped him direct the work of 100 craftsmen. In 1919, three years before his death, Simon Tissot bequeathed the factory to his sons.

S. T. Dupont, innovation:

As a result of chance, bad luck or constant research, S.T. Dupont has reinvented itself several times with numerous innovations.

Since its inception S.T. Dupont has worked with Chinese lacquer with artisans who have developed their own technique that even today remains in absolute secrecy. Chinese lacquer, in particular, the Art of the Shang Dynasty (c 1600-105 BC) was developed with very sophisticated methods, establishing numerous production centers, expanding with trade to Korea, Japan and other countries of Southeast Asia.

In 1930 Lucien Tissot Dupont, son of the founder of the firm, devised a new system of leather tanning made with diamond powder, giving his pieces a unique strength and shine.

In the middle of World War II, the brothers Tissot Dupont, designed the first luxury gasoline lighter. In 1952 they introduced the world’s first gas lighter, which offered a small gas regulation lever as a first.

At the request of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, in 1973 they created the first luxury ballpoint pen, cementing their high reputation as craftsmen.

Lighters:

S.T. Dupont lighters are made from a block of solid brass, which allows to obtain a resistant object, which adorned with noble materials, can withstand the passage of time. This was the first lighters made by S.T. Dupont and this is how they are still made today, iconic objects that require 150 manual operations and more than 60 hours of high-precision work.

Some exquisite and rare creations require more than 70 pieces that require between 500 and 600 operations to be finished. A single lighter takes four to five months to manufacture as each piece is unique.

It is common for the worker who assembles the piece to engrave his initials inside the lighter, leaving his mark of collaboration in the manufacture of a unique article.

To highlight some Limited Editions such as Montecristo L’Aurore, La Nuit and Le Crépuscule, 24 hours of Le Mans. S.T. Dupont Loves Paris, is inspired by the iconic monuments of Paris that Simon Tissot Dupont loved so much.

Fruit of the know-how of artisans who do not need to measure time S.T. Dupont He makes pieces of the highest quality and artistic value made with precious materials such as 18k white, yellow or pink gold, obtaining solid pieces of extraordinary value called High Creation and that also allow to be customized by order of the client.

For a brand of luxury lighters it is very important to provide a certain ceremonial when lighting a cigarette or a good cigar. Since its inception and due to a small adjustment problem of the first pieces, the closure of the S.T. Dupont lighters produces a peculiar sound called ” PING” that is recognized worldwide and that reaffirms with its tonality the high quality of its lighters.

Essential collections of S.T . Dupont lighters are Ligne 2 and Le New Grand Dupont. Other collections such as Maxijet / Megajet, Défi Extrême / Xxtrême, Minijet, Slim7 and Hooked, complete any need of the most demanding customer.

The range is complemented by a series of smokers’ items, cutting blades, moisture boxes, leather covers for cigarettes, cigarette packs, lighters and even ashtrays.

Writing:

When S.T. Dupont launched its first ballpoint pen, in the 60s, the advertising slogan was: “The latest creation of S.T. Dupont is not a lighter.”And it really wasn’t, it was the Classique pen, made of solid silver, very thin and with a longer clip than usual.

The beauty of its lines is timeless, but in addition, the very fine Classique penwas gently carried away in writing, providing a sophisticated pleasure when writing.

As always, S.T. Dupont combines with amazing ease, the “savoir faire” of its craftsmen, with noble materials and constant innovation. The maxim is to present an object of which you feel proud, since you know that, when you use it, you will be the object of many looks.

We must also highlight the artisanal and goldsmith concept of S.T. Dupont, since, as in its lighters, its creations occupy a large number of processes (more than 150). The work with the metal is very delicate and, like the lacquering, it is done with the utmost care, occupying a high number of hours of manual work.

For writing to provide the spiritual pleasure of great phrases, it needs to be flexible, fluid , and precise. The hand must gently guide the pen and the pen must let itself be guided with beautiful obedience. Only in this way does writing become an exponent of communication, a personal way of expressing ideas and feelings.

The components that S.T. Dupont He uses in his writing pieces, obviously, they are of the highest quality. However, the ink tanks and cartridges stand out. The tips of graphite pens and mines are specially manufactured for prolonged use.

As in the S.T. Dupont lighters, when removing the cap from the writing piece, a delicate “CLING” resonates recalling the sound of the extraordinary quality of an S.T. Dupont.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Andy Warhol, Karl Lagerfeld, Montecristothe 24 Hours of Le Mans and others have designed and inspired Limited Editions, turning beautiful pieces of writing into Authentic works of art. Sometimes, taking advantage of a specific theme or milestone, S.T. Dupont has published in a limited way a set with pen, lighter and other objects, using the entire range of products.

Leather goods:

When Simon Tissot Dupont designed his luggage he always imagined them with the best materials. The idea was to achieve the most beautiful, select and durable range on Earth. He selected the best leathers from Spain, France and Italy, with the most demanding criteria of quality, delicacy, uniformity and resistance.