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a PHOenix

FrOM THe

FLaMeSFrom the ashes of a carriage company grew S.T. Dupont, one of the world’s leading brands that has become the

byword for highly desirable products.

LOSING YOUR CARRIAGE company to a fire seems a touch ironic given the prestigious brand and world leader in luxury lighters that Simon Tissot-Dupont’s next enterprise would become. Understanding the wanderlust of the time, in 1872 he set about creating exceptional leather products from his Parisian workshop for high-ranking politicians and diplomats. His vision was the Art of Travel, which involved meticulously designed travel cases and personalised accessories that became a priceless talisman for elite explorers. 143 years later, this passion for excellence has built an international reputation for creating highly desirable products, synonymous with innovation and craftsmanship.

We sat down with Frederic Krill, Master Engraver and Dominique Lesueur, Export and Travel Director to discuss the launch of S.T. Dupont’s latest limited edition collection and the connection of the region to the brand.

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above: writing instruments from the Diamond family

of the Shoot the Moon collection, adorned with midnight-blue Chinese

lacquer, engraved wth delicate platinum patterns and set with

white diamonds.

“We worked with the team to try and find a theme that combines Dubai, the monuments of Dubai, the height, the greatness and extravagance; to having the event in Burj Khalifa while highlighting the art and luxury on the lighter and the inaccessible untouchable that becomes reality,” Krill opened.

‘Shoot the Moon’ is a collection that sees a collaboration with another famous 19th century visionary, Jules Verne. “We have an artistic director that defines a thematic collection, often one or two years ahead, which is inspired by contemporary history of the S.T. Dupont House, since it was founded in 1872. So for example Jules Vernes’ book was released in 1865. We also had a recent collection called the Orient Express and others around Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. However, we can have collections that take the opposite direction. Last year for example, the White Knights collection took us back to the history of France but not specifically to the history of S.T. Dupont. So we can sometimes have drastic direction changes,” Krill says.

Considered one of the founders of the science fiction genre, Verne foresaw travel into outer space, which would change the history of mankind forever. Drawing inspiration from his most famous work, the otherworldly novel, “De la Terre à la Lune” (From the Earth to the Moon) in which three adventurers reach the moon on board a vessel shot out of a huge canon, the craftsmen at S.T. Dupont designed and created new, exceptional and ultra-sophisticated objects. Krill said, “The idea is not to take an opposite direction with our clients but do something that is unusual. Obviously the easy solution would be to tell

ourselves that Dupont was founded in 1872, so we should produce collections that are always reflecting the past and its evolution. But that would be a bit predictable, a bit boring. And that’s also why we work with Frederic and one or two other craftsman of the same technical quality but not specifically the same engraving technique. But even if we have a Creative Director that decides on the creativity frame, those artists and craftsmanship have the liberty to bring their vision and individuality to S.T. Dupont. Their reinterpretation of the brand DNA, the type of things that let us have a central collection during the year sometimes, but also things on the side that are unique and unrelated. So there is a creativity, at Dupont we proliferate ideas and collections.

The Limited Edition ‘Shoot the Moon’ collection features three unique lines and

DIAMONDS COLLECTIONThis writing instrument’s 237 white diamonds, totalling 2.29 carats, shine just as bright as the Milky Way. Inspired by 19th century canons, the pen is fitted with a rotating ring that dis-plays the phases of the moon and includes an articulated piston on its clip. This exceptional piece is majestic when displayed in its case, which is shaped like a gun carriage and decorated with 19th century-style patterns.

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celebrates imagination and excellence. Frederic explains, “I try to find inspiration from countries I travel to. Putting myself in the clients shoes and seeing how can I transcribe what’s magic, iconic and dreamy.” The Prestige series is marked by articulated gold parts and decorations engraved on hand-painted Chinese lacquer. The colour of the lacquer is reminiscent of 19th-century leather goods, with complementing moonstones in each piece. To mark the year the novel was published, 1,865 numbered editions have been made, taking up to six months to complete. “The more technical the collection, the higher the price and more limited the quantity. We can have collector boxes with a diamond finish that will be upon exclusive demand. These are projects that have an extremely long process and require different techniques of engraving so our engineers in the Haute Savoir Manufactory have to work on it as well.” said Dominique.

Inspired by the finest French artillery, the writing instruments are fitted with a twistable piston system on the clip and a rotating ring featuring the various phases of the moon. Once placed on its case, the pen becomes a spectacular representation of the canon that hurls Jules Verne’s rocket invention to conquer the moon. “It’s one thing to have the sketches and the idea but then we need to make sure we can execute it. Production, designs, budget, etc. We of course need to be able to sell these collections so the cost involved is important,” he added.

The lighter’s special mechanism moves an arrow which is symbolic of the same journey from Earth. The engraving illustrates a stylish astrolabe, the essential tool of ancient explorers. While the lighter’s roller imitates the shell-shaped rocket that would send humanity into outer space.

The exclusive collector’s selection is encased in leather, representing a celebration of S.T. Dupont’s reputation as a Master Trunk-Maker. A fountain pen with a rollerball adapter, a pen case, a lighter, cufflinks and a travel diary encased in leather are luxuriously presented, while the inside of the cover is decorated with an engraving inspired by the collection’s theme.

For the first time, leather goods appear as part of a limited edition in the form of travel and conference bags. Nineteenth century-style amber patina leather adorns these two items, each one printed with a globe and decorated with engraved gold corners. The collection is completed with gold-edged cufflinks, each one fitted with a moonstone.

The Diamond collection is the ultimate expression of S.T. Dupont-style luxury and limited to just twenty-eight

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opposite: the Prestige selection is marked by articulated gold

parts and decorations engraved on Chinese

lacquer in the colour of 19th century leather. The whole selection is encased in leather,

representing a celebration of trunk making. 60

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numbered editions worldwide. Adorned with midnight blue hand-painted lacquer, they are engraved with delicate platinum patterns and decorated with a constellation of sparkling diamonds.

These writing instruments are bejewelled with 237 white diamonds, totalling 2.29 carats. Inspired by 19th century canons, the pen is fitted with a rotating ring that displays the phases of the moon and includes an articulated piston on its clip.

The extravagant lighter is coated in 204 white diamonds. The platinum accents reflect the astrolabe, while the moving arrow symbolising the flight from Earth to the Moon pivots when the top opens with its signature “ping” sound. The roller is sculpted and polished into the shape of a rocket warhead.

The Premium line evokes a fascinating star-speckled sky bathed in moonlight. Each piece is coated in a deep black lacquer accentuated with silver glitter and engraved with details reflecting the novel’s epic lunar saga. More simplistic in design, both lighter and writing instruments combine timeless straight lines contrasting against their 19th century-style inspired ornaments. This limited series is available in 1,865 numbered editions.

“We are a timeless brand, it is in our DNA and we stick to it,” says Dominique. Some people still come to us and tell us, I inherited a lighter from my father or grandfather and it has been working for 10 years, but we can always fix it and have your lighter work for another 10 years. Durability is something we’re in.”

This new Limited Edition collection is the result of a perfect match between two remarkable 19th-century celebrities. In 1872, the first of the duo, Simon Tissot-Dupont invented the art of travel for leading figures of the time. His counterpart,

Jules Verne, foresaw travel in outer space, which would change the history of mankind forever

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