Winchester, reimagined – the result of the third collaboration between The Unnamed Society and the famed Swiss clockmaker L’Épée – is a mechanical clock in the guise of a replica Winchester rifle. This limited edition objets d’art does not shoot bullets, but mimics the original in terms of dimensions and some of the mechanisms, and comes with a seemingly endless catalogue of customisation options.
The Unnamed Society, founded in 2019 in Switzerland, is a team of passionate inventors, designers and artisans who “conceive the impossible and then make it a reality.” In the short time it has been around, this collective has built up a small but impressive portfolio comprising some of the most desirable objets d’art collectables.
For those familiar with watchmaking, L’Épée needs no introduction. Generally considered the best specialist clockmaker in the world, L’Épée has an illustrious track record in making clocks with unusual designs, both individually and as part of collaborations.
The “Winchester” is the second gun-as-a-clock concept collaboration between The Unnamed Society and L’Épée. The first collaboration gave us ‘Colt by The Unnamed Society’ – a reinterpretation of Pancho Villa’s Bisley Colt. Then came ‘Golden Boy Winchester Clock’ – the first life-size reinterpretation of the Winchester rifle. According to The Unnamed Society, “following the resounding success of the first [Winchester] collaboration… demand had been growing for a follow-up.” Thus, we have Winchester, reimagined.
The second incarnation of the Winchester clock offers an exceptional choice of materials, colours and textures – allowing for every nuance of self-expression. The sleek, powerful lines have a certain freshness.
The choice of metals includes variations of steel, gold-plated, black chrome, and a selection of bicolours, such as gold-plated and steel. Likewise, the stock and forestock provide the canvas for exploring new material combinations that are rare and exotic: alligator, taurus, kangaroo, snake, lamb, shark, lizard, stingray, bloodwood, walnut, rosewood, oak and ebony, to name a few.
The spectacular juxtaposition of materials and textures is matched by the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into the smallest detail. As a nod to the tradition of great gunsmithing, the receiver is engraved. As an alternative to the classic arabesque motif, we have a modern interpretation of gun engraving by master bladesmith and knife designer Tashi Bharucha.
The original Winchester lever action repeating rifle introduced in 1866 was a game changer by its approach to loading ammunition, cocking the hammer and chambering the bullet in one rapid, fluid motion – with a lever actioned by the trigger hand. This allowed for excellent handling and accuracy, even without much prior training.
By 1866, the L’Épée had already been making precision clocks for 21 years. In the twenty-first century, L’Épée is creating a unique timepiece, in the silhouette of a Winchester, in its workshops in Delémont, in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains.
The idea was never to bolt a clock to a gun. L’Épée reengineered the original’s hallmark loading and cocking mechanism to wind the timekeeping calibre and rethought its barrel system to indicate and set the time. On the original, the ammunition capacity without having to reload the magazine was 15 rounds. It is only logical for Winchester, reimagined to take 15 cocks of the lever to fully wind the mechanism, and generate a power reserve of approximately seven days.
Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Épée, says: “Working together with The Unnamed Society was a dream come true, especially in terms of finding creative engineering solutions to address the countless challenges of ‘Winchester, reimagined’. These ‘timepieces of art’ offer a unique combination of watchmaking excellence and artistic expression, one that challenges and inspires the imagination from every angle, with every reflection of light on these daring creations.”
Winchester, reimagined is presented in a case finished in the finest leather. The bespoke stand, crafted from rich walnut, allows the “gun” to be displayed to the fullest effect on a table, desk, mantel or wall.
From the mounting anticipation as you behold the magnificent leather case to the gratifying feeling of beholding something truly exceptional, and watching, mesmerized, as the light reflects off the masterfully worked materials, surfaces and textures – every facet of Winchester, reimagined is carefully and subtly thought-through.
Winchester, reimagined is a Limited Collection of 87 pieces, each one is a one-off creation with its unique juxtaposition of precious and unexpected materials, textures and colours.