The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

My Nautic-Ski dates from 1970, the year I was born. I love its aesthetics, its patina. When I look at it, I see Pompidou with a cigarette in his mouth, Claude his wife in a suit, the France we love, which innovates in technical fields, art... This watch is a piece of French history.

Lip Nautic Ski

This watch is very comfortable, thin and easy to wear, you forget it. Every time I look at the time it surprises me with its accuracy in proportions, its finishes... I find it very beautiful. With a diameter of 39 mm, powered by a Quartz movement, I wear it every day with great pleasure

The quiet strength

<p dir="ltr">The French watch brand <strong>LIP</strong> is an emblematic figure of the watch industry, recognized for his innovation, his avant-garde design and his history rich in twists and turns. Founded in <strong>1867</strong> in Besan&ccedil;on, LIP has gone through periods of glory, economic challenges and social struggles, while leaving an indelible mark in the history of French watchmaking.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: Foundation and Expansion (1867-1930)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The history of LIP begins in 1867 when Emmanuel Lipmann founded a small watchmaking workshop in Besan&ccedil;on, the French capital of watchmaking. Initially named "Comptoir Lipmann", the workshop specializes in the manufacture of high quality pocket watches. In 1893, the company became the "<strong>Soci&eacute;t&eacute; Anonyme d'Horlogerie Lipmann Fr&egrave;res</strong>" and adopted the brand LIP, acronym of the founder's initials.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the beginning of the 20th century, LIP stood out for its technical and aesthetic innovations. In 1904, the brand introduced the "Lip" pocket chronometer, which met with notable success. <strong>LIP is quickly positioning itself as a major player in French watchmaking</strong>, combining precision and elegance in its creations.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Age of Innovation: The 1930s-1950s</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Under the direction of Fred Lip</strong>, son of Ernest Lipmann, LIP enters a period of intense innovation. In 1933, the brand launched the model <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/t18">Lip T18</a>, a rectangular wristwatch equipped with a high-precision movement. This model became emblematic and <strong>was offered in 1948 to Winston Churchill</strong> in recognition of his role during the Second World War.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the 1950s, LIP continued to innovate by introducing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/electronic">Lip Electronic</a> in 1952, the first French electronic watch. This model uses a quartz crystal to keep time, constituting a significant advancement in watchmaking technology. Lip offered at this time the first models&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/himalaya">Lip Himalaya</a> which still remain in the catalog today.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1960s: Expansion and Avant-Garde Design</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The 1960s marked a period of expansion for LIP like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/nautic-ski">Lip Nautic-Ski</a> presented during the <strong>Grenoble Olympic Games in 1968</strong>. It was also the beginning of collaborations with renowned designers to create watches with innovative designs. In 1967, the brand called on Roger Tallon, famous industrial designer, to design the collection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/mach_2000">Lip Mach 2000</a>. These watches are distinguished by their futuristic aesthetic and their bold shapes, breaking with traditional watchmaking codes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the same time, LIP develops watches intended for specific uses, notably for pilots and divers, thus strengthening its reputation as a manufacturer of technical and reliable watches.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1970s: Crisis and Social Struggles</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Despite its successes, LIP faced financial difficulties at the end of the 1960s, exacerbated by international competition and changes in the watch market. In 1973, the company was placed in liquidation, triggering a series of strikes and factory occupations by workers. This social movement, known as "<strong>LIP Conflict</strong>", became emblematic of workers' struggles in France and attracted national media attention.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The employees, led by the trade unionist Charles Piaget, took control of production and continued to manufacture and sell watches under the slogan "It's possible: we make, we sell, we get paid!". This experiment in self-management aroused broad popular support and symbolized workers' resistance to factory closures.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1980s-1990s: Relaunch Attempts and Changes in Ownership</h2>
<p dir="ltr">After the liquidation of LIP in 1977, <strong>several attempts at revival were undertaken</strong>. In 1984, the brand was bought by the "Kipl&eacute;" company, but this initiative failed, leading to another liquidation in 1986. In 1990, the businessman Jean-Claude Sensemat acquired the brand and successfully relaunched production, relying on modern marketing methods and reissuing iconic models. Under his leadership, LIP experienced a renaissance and achieved significant sales.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2000s: Renewal and Modernization</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 2002, Jean-Claude Sensemat signed a worldwide licensing contract with Jean-Luc Bernerd, who created the Manufacture G&eacute;n&eacute;rale Horlog&egrave;re in Lectoure, in the Gers region, to produce LIP watches. This collaboration makes it possible to modernize the collections while respecting the brand's heritage. LIP continues to offer reissues of historic models, while introducing new creations adapted to contemporary tastes.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2010s: Back to Basics and Sustainable Development</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 2015, the brand was bought by the "Soci&eacute;t&eacute; des Montres Bisontines" (SMB), based in Ch&acirc;tillon-le-Duc, near Besan&ccedil;on, France. This return to geographical sources marks a new stage in the history of LIP, which strengthens its local roots and its commitment to sustainable development. Production is relocated to France, and the brand strives to promote French watchmaking know-how. LIP continues to offer its emblematic collections which have marked its history, seeking to meet the expectations of modern consumers.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"><span class="s2">Ranking of the most popular French watch brands</span></a>, including LIP.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

Bought (after seeing it on different Vlogs and Publications), via the Official Store. Love at first sight, in Image(s), and it was still nothing, compared to the Reception!!!… The Blue Dial, is just Magnificent, with these Color Variations (especially in Summer, when the Sun shines). 38mm case. It has its Thickness, but that does not bother the Wrist at all. Tested in Swimming Pool, and Diving… It Still Runs, Like a Clock… 😉

A Nice Little Diver…

I bought this watch while waiting to have my grandfather's 1967 Lip Nautic-ski restored. This reissue is a great success for me. Equipped with a Myota movement, it will be very easy to have it serviced or repaired in the event of a problem (the precision leaves something to be desired but is nevertheless quite correct, especially given the price of €499). With its 38mm diameter, I think it respects the spirit of the original watch and is suitable for a large number of wrists. It is the least expensive watch in my collection and yet it is the one I wear the most. It is very fun to change the strap depending on your outfit because with its black color it goes everywhere.

A successful reissue!

A watch that I love, that I chose and that was given to me for my 30th birthday by my parents. Its gray dial is the most beautiful in my eyes, enhanced by a very domed sapphire. I regret the total absence of lume, disappointing for a diver. However, on the wrist - and during the day - this defect is quickly forgotten.

Beautiful reissue.

My Lip Nautic Ski 7th continent has a magnificent dial color... a blue... you'd think you were there. 41 mm, in polished steel (too much?), it has a recycled plastic strap that is not very comfortable. In addition, its oscillating weight is quite noisy and the screwed crown catches a little. I can't wait to give it a little bath!

A happy diver!

I have a soft spot for GMTs and this Nautic is a very nice example. I particularly like this red hand that contrasts with the pretty blue dial, then the combination of blue, white and red colors works very well. The inner 24-hour bezel also contributes to the very open aspect of the dial, all reinforced by a domed sapphire crystal. Mounted on a tropical bracelet that fits perfectly with the whole, this watch has a lot of personality and contrasts with more classic divers. Since my purchase on order (Limited Series) I wear it very often.

A diver like no other

"If you have it restored, I'll give it to you, I won't wear it anymore..." That's what my father told me, and that's what I did. It's the first watch he bought in 1970, and I wear it with pride today. I wanted to keep the traces of its previous life and at the same time make sure that it could be used every day. Its movement is quite capricious and it sometimes stops or loses minutes when I'm not wearing it. Its case, called a "super-compressor", is quite small in diameter but is quite thick. An internal bezel is activated by the crown located at 2 o'clock, the one at 4 o'clock allows you to set the time. It is pleasant and easy to wear. When we talk about the Nautic Ski, we instantly think of Tabarly and Cousteau, a historic French watch. I wear it with pleasure, although not very often, preferring more recent and more robust models.

A Father-Son Story

The Nautic Ski, one of the many icons of the Lip house from the great era, updated. Here is the Grande Nautic Ski. Vintage indexes and hands, titanium-colored dial, 41*15 case with an internal bezel. With its domed sapphire that plays very well with the viewing angles. Inside, the tireless Miyota 8215 set at +10s/day, visible from the anecdotal but appreciable transparent back. Weak points: the poor quality lume, the noisy oscillating weight. From my point of view as a young generation who did not know the golden age of Lip, the update is successful for this "French" diver, the finishes are good and the watch is robust

New from old

A watch that I have been looking at for a long time in vintage but whose original diameter is a little small for me... So by chance during a walk I came across this limited series 7th continent with a beautiful sunburst turquoise blue dial. I love its vintage side with a contemporary diameter of 41 mm. I change the bracelets according to the mood and it will be fluorescent orange this summer.

A historical diver in a limited series

Acquired in December 2021, my Nautic-ski Fantôme, which is supposed to be the watch of the French special forces, broke just a few months after wearing it.
I had it on my wrist quite regularly, not daily either, and I didn't mistreat it, but the movement broke, I don't know exactly how.

Big disappointment

<p>Fond&eacute;e en <strong>1970</strong> par Philippe Saner dans le Jura suisse, la marque <strong>Saner</strong> incarne un demi-si&egrave;cle d'excellence horlog&egrave;re. Initialement sp&eacute;cialis&eacute;e dans l'assemblage de mouvements m&eacute;caniques, l'entreprise a su &eacute;voluer tout en conservant son savoir-faire artisanal. En 2020, pour c&eacute;l&eacute;brer ses 50 ans, la famille Saner a lanc&eacute; une collection exclusive de montres en &eacute;dition limit&eacute;e, marquant ainsi son entr&eacute;e sur le devant de la sc&egrave;ne horlog&egrave;re.</p>
<h3><strong>Les D&eacute;buts : Un Atelier Familial</strong></h3>
<p>Philippe Saner a &eacute;tabli son atelier &agrave; Alle, dans le Jura suisse, une r&eacute;gion r&eacute;put&eacute;e pour son expertise horlog&egrave;re. D&egrave;s le d&eacute;part, l'atelier s'est distingu&eacute; par la pr&eacute;cision de son travail, fournissant des mouvements m&eacute;caniques &agrave; des marques prestigieuses. Cette r&eacute;putation d'excellence a permis &agrave; l'entreprise de se d&eacute;velopper tout en restant fid&egrave;le &agrave; ses <strong>racines familiales</strong>.</p>
<h3><strong>L'&Eacute;volution : De la Sous-Traitance &agrave; la Cr&eacute;ation de Montres</strong></h3>
<p>Apr&egrave;s des d&eacute;cennies en tant que sous-traitant de confiance, la <strong>famille Saner </strong>a d&eacute;cid&eacute; de capitaliser sur son expertise en lan&ccedil;ant sa propre ligne de montres. Cette transition a &eacute;t&eacute; motiv&eacute;e par le d&eacute;sir de proposer des garde-temps refl&eacute;tant leur vision de l'horlogerie, alliant tradition et innovation.</p>
<h3><strong>La Collection "Heart in Light"</strong></h3>
<p>Pour c&eacute;l&eacute;brer son 50e anniversaire, Saner a d&eacute;voil&eacute; la collection <strong>"Heart in Light"</strong>. Compos&eacute;e de cinq mod&egrave;les exclusifs, chaque pi&egrave;ce est limit&eacute;e &agrave; 50 exemplaires et <strong>certifi&eacute;e par le Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres (COSC)</strong>, garantissant une pr&eacute;cision exceptionnelle. Les mod&egrave;les se d&eacute;clinent avec des bracelets en cuir, m&eacute;tal ou nylon, offrant une vari&eacute;t&eacute; adapt&eacute;e aux go&ucirc;ts diversifi&eacute;s des amateurs de montres.</p>
<h3><strong>Engagement envers la Qualit&eacute; et l'Innovation</strong></h3>
<p>Saner s'engage &agrave; maintenir des <strong>standards de qualit&eacute; &eacute;lev&eacute;s</strong>. L'atelier, modernis&eacute; et bien &eacute;quip&eacute;, se sp&eacute;cialise dans l'assemblage de mouvements m&eacute;caniques, le garnissage de platines et l'embo&icirc;tage de montres, y compris celles avec complications. Cette infrastructure permet &agrave; la marque de contr&ocirc;ler chaque &eacute;tape de la production, assurant ainsi la fiabilit&eacute; et la durabilit&eacute; de ses produits.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>La marque Saner illustre la capacit&eacute; d'une <strong>entreprise familiale</strong> &agrave; &eacute;voluer tout en pr&eacute;servant son h&eacute;ritage. En lan&ccedil;ant sa propre collection de montres, Saner a d&eacute;montr&eacute; que l'expertise accumul&eacute;e au fil des d&eacute;cennies peut servir de fondation solide pour innover et proposer des produits de haute qualit&eacute; aux passionn&eacute;s d'horlogerie.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr">Founded in <strong>1970</strong> by Philippe Saner in the Swiss Jura, the brand <strong>Saner</strong> embodies half a century of watchmaking excellence. Initially specializing in the assembly of mechanical movements, the company has evolved while maintaining its artisanal know-how. In 2020, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Saner family launched an exclusive collection of limited edition watches, marking its entry onto the watchmaking scene.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: A Family Workshop</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Philippe Saner established his workshop in Alle, in the Swiss Jura, a region renowned for its watchmaking expertise. From the start, the workshop stood out for the precision of its work, supplying mechanical movements to prestigious brands. This reputation for excellence has allowed the company to grow while remaining faithful to its <strong>family roots</strong>.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Evolution: From Subcontracting to Watch Creation</h3>
<p dir="ltr">After decades as a trusted subcontractor, the <strong>Saner family</strong> decided to capitalize on its expertise by launching its own line of watches. This transition was motivated by the desire to offer timepieces reflecting their vision of watchmaking, combining tradition and innovation.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collection "Heart in Light"</h3>
<p dir="ltr">To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Saner unveiled the collection <strong>"Heart in Light"</strong>. Made up of five exclusive models, each piece is limited to 50 copies and <strong>certified by the &ldquo;Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres&rdquo; (COSC)</strong>, guaranteeing exceptional precision. The models are available with leather, metal or nylon straps, offering a variety suited to the diverse tastes of watch lovers.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Commitment to Quality and Innovation</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Saner is committed to maintaining high quality standards. The workshop, modernized and well equipped, specializes in the assembly of mechanical movements, the filling of plates and the casing of watches, including those with complications. This infrastructure allows the brand to control each stage of production, thus ensuring the reliability and durability of its products.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The Saner brand illustrates the capacity of <strong>family business</strong> to evolve while preserving its heritage. By launching its own watch collection, Saner has demonstrated that the expertise accumulated over decades can serve as a solid foundation to innovate and offer high-quality products to watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Get inspired by <strong>Dialicious owner&rsquo;s reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

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