H I S T O R Y
Timeless Legacy Through a Seamless Blend of Craftsmanship and Innovation
Early 2014, Lebois & Co owner Tom van Wijlick and his wife Eveline came across a captivating image of an exquisite vintage Swiss Made chronograph watch, auctioned by Christie’s. Intrigued by its beauty, they printed the picture and stuck it to their fridge. What followed was a deep-dive into the obscure brand and its heritage.
Established in 1934 by Raymond Dodane of the renowned Dodane watchmaking family, the brand fell dormant after the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s.
With the endorsement of the Dodane family, Lebois & Co experienced a renaissance, precisely eight decades after its inception. Now under new ownership, the brand is strategically positioned to perpetuate its legacy of crafting aesthetically pleasing and affordable luxury Swiss timepieces.
Grateful for the support of over 75 investors, Lebois & Co has successfully reclaimed its position on the wrists of watch enthusiasts around the world, methodically expanding its collection with innovative models.
1934
In the beginning
It all begins 11 days before Christmas in 1934. Lebois & Co is founded by French watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane, who represents the third generation of the Dodane watchmaking family. Its mission is clear and simple: create aesthetic and affordable luxury Swiss timepiecess.
The Dodane Manufacture is founded in La Rasse in the Doubs in 1857, by Alphonse Dodane and his father-in-law François-Xavier Joubert. In 1929 the Dodane family settles in Besançon, where Raymond Dodane carries on the traditions of complex watchmaking.
1940
Lebois & Co watches as a gift for pilots in WWII
Italian aircraft manufacturer Caproni buys Lebois & Co chronograph watches to hand to give them as gifts to the group of pilots of the Swedish Air Force when they came to Italy to collect and fly home their new Caproni Ca 313 reconnaissance bombers.
Some of these watches are still around. This one was recently auctioned in Stockholm, Sweden.
1947
Lebois & Co gets Italian
It all begins 11 days before Christmas in 1934. Lebois & Co is founded by French watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane, who represents the third generation of the Dodane watchmaking family. Its mission is clear and simple: create aesthetic and affordable luxury Swiss timepieces.
The Dodane Manufacture is founded in La Rasse in the Doubs in 1857, by Alphonse Dodane and his father-in-law François-Xavier Joubert. In 1929 the Dodane family settles in Besançon, where Raymond Dodane carries on the traditions of complex watchmaking.
1972
The brand ceases to exist
40 years after the brand is founded, the original Lebois & Co stops producing watches and the brand ceases to exist.
Despite the disappearance of Lebois & Co, the brand is still known today and popular with watch collectors all over the world. This beautiful 1945 Lebois & Co Chronograph sold for over $ 6,000 at Christie’s Important Watches auction in 2012.
2014
The finding of an unfamiliar brand
Early 2014 Tom & Eveline come across a picture of a beautiful vintage watch, a Lebois & Co Chronograph which was sold at an auction by Christie’s. They print the picture and stick it to their fridge.
Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they start their research of this unfamiliar brand and its former owners.
2014
Lebois & Co is reborn
After the approval of the Dodane family the brand is resurrected, exactly eighty years after the original company was founded. Continuing its mission to create aesthetic luxury Swiss timepieces.
Fitting modern times, the new logo for Lebois & Co is crowdsourced and the first model, named Avantgarde, will be crowdfunded.
2015
Successful Kickstarter funding
Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.
The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
2018
Lebois & Co launches ‘Become a shareholder’ campaign
Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.
The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
2018
Lebois & Co introduces… the Venturist
Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the second Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.
The campaign is funded at 104% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its second batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
2019
Lebois & Co announces its Venturist to be certified by TIMELAB’s new OC+ certification
Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the 3rd Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date.
The campaign is funded at 161% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its third batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
2021
Lebois & Co’s first CoLAB project goes live
Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.
The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
2022
Lebois & Co reveals its Heritage Chronograph prototypes
Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the second Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.
The campaign is funded at 104% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its second batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.
