CoLAB Heritage Chronograph
Step 3: Results in 3D and technical details
CoLAB Heritage Chronograph
Imagine just how wonderful it would be if you could help design your own watch. Maybe you’ve been daydreaming about this for years. Maybe you’ve even been silently sketching your own dials and bezels on your notepad at work. Here’s your chance to change the world of watches. To add real value and make your mark in the long-standing history of Lebois & Co.
We invite you to have your say, and take a deep dive into our collaborative designer platform called CoLAB.
Our first project is Lebois & Co's Heritage Chronograph; the long awaited and much requested re-issue of our 1940s chronographs.
You can help us carve out a unique character in four phases; design, technical development, prototyping and final production. In all of these phases, you will have ample opportunity to comment and vote. In the most comprehensive phase, the design, you can help decide on the choice of movement, case and dial designs, and of course, your favourite bracelets and straps.
Design
Techn. dev.
Pre-order Round 1
Prototyping
Pre-order Round 2
In production
Shipping
A unique watch
Perks & Benefits
For watch lovers
Priority ordering
A Case in Point
Full spotlight on Case Concept 2
Oh and good news; we’ve made two different bezel options for the different watch models.
In this step of the process, we are happy to present to you the various finishes we have used to offer the Heritage Chronograph its lush appeal. Thinking about finishes is an important step. It helps us control how the watch catches light and directs it into our eyes. In other words: how we see and perceive the watch. Each type of polish or brush stroke contributes to its unique character.
Let’s zoom in on the smaller details. In the images below, you can see how we’ve given thought to each separate part, making it stand out with a unique, high-end finish.
The Watches
We absolutely adore the results. And you?
And now, we are proud to present to you, in high-resolution 3D: your watches! For each model, we have suggested a specific strap. We’ve partnered with Forstner bands, world-renowned for their iconic watch bands, to offer you two steel band options. When pre-ordering, you can choose these or any of the four presented leather straps.
Tried and Tested: Truly Anti-Magnetic
Our old 1940’s Lebois & Co chronographs typically featured the text ANTIMAGNETIQUE or ANTI-MAGNETIC on their dials. As we want to remain faithful to the old designs, we want to bring this back. Since 1973, the watch making industry operates under ISO 764. This industry standard dictates that a watch may only be called anti-magnetic if it can maintain an accuracy of +/- 30 seconds per day, under a direct current magnetic field of 4800 A/m.
To make the Heritage Chronograph live up to its anti-magnetic promise, we are going to have the prototypes tested at Timelab in Geneva, who also test and certify our Venturist.
Lebois & Co wants to create maximum value for money: quality timepieces with luxury finishes within a market-friendly price-range.
Ref 324.478
Step bezel case with a salmon dial, tachymeter, telemeter scale and minuterie. On a Hickory Brown suede strap.
US$ 2695
Ref 324.497
Step bezel case with a cream dial, multicolored tachymeter, telemeter scale and minuterie on a Charcoal Black suede strap.
US$ 2695
Heritage Chronograph
Ref 324.442
Bevel bezel case with a sector dial, blue tachymeter, black minuterie and black sector on a Midnight Navy leather strap.
US$ 2695
Heritage Chronograph
Ref 324.472
Bevel bezel case with a salmon dial with lume dots, pulsation scale ‘Gradue Pour 30 Pulsations’ on a Aegean Blue suede strap.
US$ 2695
A Movement That Moves You
Evoking a sense of security and power like a castle tower, a column wheel movement lends any watch an exclusive, high-end feel. More so because single-piece column wheel movements are such a challenge to produce. Having one in our Heritage Chronograph is another nod of respect to the craft. And besides, doesn’t a column wheel chronograph just feel more precise?
Our Caliber LC-450 is a hand-wound column wheel chronograph movement, boasting a whopping 60 hours of power reserve. It is developed and made by Manufacture La Joux-Perret S.A. in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
And hasn’t the movement come out just gorgeous? We could look at it all day, through the exhibition caseback on the back of the watch. The blue column wheel with polished column tops and the blue, polished screws with white slot contrast beautifully with the Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève), and circular-graining (perlage)*. To optimize accuracy for several orientations, each movement will be adjusted to 5 positions (CH, FH, 3H, 6H, 9H).
* = The version shown does not yet have circular graining on the wheel bridge and balance wheel bridge. The final version will.
Our Strapping Buckle; Something Very Different
As you may be aware by now, we like to go the extra mile. That is why we now turn to the buckle. Because we want this to be a unique piece, and believe that the element that holds it all together deserves just as much attention. In keeping with our chosen heritage path, we have decided to bring back a long-disappeared buckle type from the past. It is double-sided, meaning that it has a built-in strap hold-down mechanism.
The resulting watch fits more comfortably and tighter on the wrist. It makes the keeper that normally sits closest to the buckle — the fastest wearing component of any watch strap — obsolete. You might recognise it from a similar buckle for Airain, Lebois & Co’s sister brand.
Full Specs
Swiss Made heritage inspired handwound chronograph with column wheel movement and digital twin
Case
316L stainless steel case
Diameter: 39.0 mm
Height: 10.5 mm
Crystal: 3.4mm domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating inside
Lug-to-lug: 47.35mm
Sapphire crystal case back, screwed down, engraved
Bezel: step bezel (ref 324.478 and 324.497), bevel bezel (ref 324.442 and 324.472)
Water resistance: 50m (5ATM)
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Caliber LC-450 manual-wind column wheel chronograph
Diameter: 30mm
Height: 7.3mm
Frequency: 4 Hz / 28,800 vibrations/hour
Twenty-four (24) jewels
60 hours power reserve
Small second at 9 o’clock
Chronograph second in the center
30 minute counter at 3 o’clock
Finishing: blue column wheel with polished column tops, blue polished screws with white slot, Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève) and circular-graining (perlage)
Regulated in 5 positions
Digital Twin
The digital twin is unfalsifiable, digital proof that the watch you’re buying is genuine. It lets you keep track of your watch stats, its warranty, manual and other user documents through an app. This adds an extra, virtual dimension to your watch’s history.
If you decide to sell your watch, the digital certificate will pass hands as well, and it will be a new chapter in your watch’s history book.
Pilot project
For Lebois & Co, these will be the first watches that we will equip with a digital twin and include in the blockchain. We will start small with the goal of incorporating and linking more information and services to the digital twin over time.
If you join us in the first pre-order round, this is your unique chance to participate in this interesting pilot!
Pre-order Round 1: Early-Bird Benefits
We reward your early commitment!
Because the technical development has already taken place, we will move into the prototype phase as soon as we have processed your feedback. At that time we will also start the first of two pre-order rounds. The second pre-order round will follow after the prototypes are finished. In return for your trust and early commitment, the first pre-order round offers the biggest advantage compared to the final retail price.
Pre-order Round 1 is closed
Register below to be notified when Pre-order Round 2 opens.
Take Your Time, Enjoy Your Coffee
With your new Lebois treasure on your wrist, you can now sip your delicious black gold from a sustainably produced coffee mug. As a reminder of our lovely coffee catch-ups, which helped create this beautiful watch.
To reward early birds who pre-order our co-created Heritage Chronograph in the first round, we will add this free coffee mug to your shopping cart.
Next Step: Prototyping
What’s next?
Yes! This is where it gets even more exciting. With your final feedback, it is time to start the actual prototyping. Over the coming weeks, we will start production for the first Heritage Chronograph samples.
We cannot wait to get our hands on this thing! When we do, we will be back in the next CoLAB step, with undoubtedly amazing video and picture footage of our joint creation.
Quick Poll
You talk, we listen
From time to time, we pick up great ideas from the comments and feedback from the community. We present them as a Quick Poll right here to see what the rest of you think.
Closed polls
The polls below have been closed and processed.
Do you agree with dark lume dots or metal dots on ref 324.472?
- Yes, go for metal dots. (55%, 66 Votes)
- Yes, go for dark lume dots (24%, 29 Votes)
- No, leave them white like it is now. (21%, 26 Votes)
Total Voters: 121
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If you had the choice; open or closed caseback?
- Keep it open! I want to see that movement.. (88%, 353 Votes)
- I would buy it with a closed caseback if it was possible! (8%, 34 Votes)
- It doesn't matter to me. I only look at the dial.. (4%, 16 Votes)
Total Voters: 403
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Are you ready to order?
- Yes, I will most definitely order in pre-order round 1! (54%, 178 Votes)
- No, not yet. Maybe in pre-order round 2 when prototypes are ready (36%, 118 Votes)
- Uhmm... order? I was just admiring your beautiful watches! (11%, 35 Votes)
Total Voters: 331
Loading ...Project Timeline
Like other attentive fans, you may have noticed that we’ve had to adjust the original timeline several times. We see you. During this particular CoLAB, we’ve encountered multiple setbacks, ranging from production problems to worldwide staff shortages. While these are beyond our influence, we would’ve liked the Heritage Chronographs to be in our and your hands by now.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope (and think!) the quality of the end result will make up for some of the lost time.
| 22 April 2021 | Step 1: Project launch and choosing inspiration + movement |
| 5 July 2021 | Step 2: Cases and dials |
| 6 December 2021 | Step 3: Presenting the results in 3D and technical details |
| 14 December 2021 | Pre-order Round 1 (pre-prototype) |
| 7 October 2022 | Step 4: Prototype evaluation |
| 14 October 2022 | Launch of Pre-order Round 2 |
| October 2022 | Start of final production |
| 16 December 2022 | First movement batch finished |
| 12 April 2023 | First batch of watches finished and delivery will be prepared (mainly from Pre-order Round 1) |
| September 2023 | Next round of movements ready |
| October 2023 - January 2024 | Delivery next batch (mainly from Pre-order Round 2) |
The above timeline is an estimate and can be adjusted if necessary.
Virtual Coffee Catch-up
Talking watches and project progress: register for our virtual coffee meetings
In the Media
Check what the media are saying about our project
Join Us
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