S.T.Dupont
HISTORY
1872 | Birth of a French Luxury House
Simon Tissot-Dupont, the dynasty's founder, was just 25. He was born in Savoy to a family of millers.
He was an enterprising and passionate young man who was determined to succeed in Paris.
He recruited several talented craftsmen and established a prestigious leather goods workshop.
In particular, he manufactured wallets and "maroquins", the attaché-cases of the time, bearing the initials of senior civil servants. He was rapidly successful among Parisian high society.
Soon, he became the official supplier to the Magasins du Louvre, which was a reference in the world for luxury accessories at the time.
1920 | An Atlantic crossing and travel cases
In the beginning of the roaring '20s, André and Lucien Dupont, Simon's sons, started to innovate: they created sumptuous travel cases, produced as one-of-a-kind pieces.
In their salons on Rue Dieu in Paris, the Dupont brothers received the cream of international society. Their loyal customers included: the Maharajah of Patiala, who used to make sumptuous gifts to his one hundred or so favorites, Baron Maurice de Rothschild, the Duke of Kent, to name a few. The Duke of Windsor used to advise Lucien Dupont, and Al Capone discreetly dispatched his second-in-command to place an order.
Cartier was also a client, for Paris and New York, as was Aspreys in London, since the Dupont travel cases were truly unique. "Strive for more beauty, for greater luxury", said Lucien Dupont. It was the era of euphoria of the years between the two wars, and the intensely creative Arts Deco period.
The last travel case, in lavender blue leather, was made in 1947, as a wedding gift for Princess Elisabeth of England, the future Queen. How much did an S.T.Dupont travel case cost? The employees at the time replied: the price of a house.
1935 | The adventures of a lacquerer
The Tissot Dupont brothers were looking for a "master plater" ("plaqueur" in French) expert in pure gold plating but a misprint changed the advertisement to "master lacquerer" ("laqueur").
As it turned out, this proved to be a stroke of good fortune, and S.T.Dupont became the owner of secret that is well kept to this day: Chinese lacquer on metal.
The first master lacquerer was an extraordinary character of Russian origin, Novossiltzeff, who had trained in the workshop of Jean Dunand, where the lacquer screens for the transatlantic liner, the Normandie, were made.
He brazed the lacquer for five days straight and worked at night protecting himself from the dust in a tent of damp rags. Fortunately, his successors managed to transform these empirical methods into authentic and totally unique expertise.
1941 | A great flame follows a little spark
Given the scarcity of raw materials and customers at the beginning of World War II, André Dupont had the idea of using the lighter that was in the travel case of the Maharajah of Patiala.
The leather-goods maker applied his gold-smith expertise and in 1941 invented the first pocket petrol lighter. In 1952 the patented, adjustable, gas lighter was a spectacular success.
The Ligne 1 model, with a thousand and one variations since its creation is still a best seller.
In the 1960's the lighter is a symbol of status and good taste, originating in a seductive gesture, a gift marking the entry into adulthood .owning a "Dupont" was no innocent affair.
In the semi-darkness of the discotheques, it was recognizable from the noise it made, the famous metallic "cling", a unique sound, a sign of recognition among the elite and the initiated.
The Brand took its place among the great names of the French luxury market and the lighter become its icon.
1941 | A great flame follows a little spark
Given the scarcity of raw materials and customers at the beginning of World War II, André Dupont had the idea of using the lighter that was in the travel case of the Maharajah of Patiala.
The leather-goods maker applied his gold-smith expertise and in 1941 invented the first pocket petrol lighter. In 1952 the patented, adjustable, gas lighter was a spectacular success.
The Ligne 1 model, with a thousand and one variations since its creation is still a best seller.
In the 1960's the lighter is a symbol of status and good taste, originating in a seductive gesture, a gift marking the entry into adulthood .owning a "Dupont" was no innocent affair.
In the semi-darkness of the discotheques, it was recognizable from the noise it made, the famous metallic "cling", a unique sound, a sign of recognition among the elite and the initiated.
The Brand took its place among the great names of the French luxury market and the lighter become its icon.
1973 | The art of writing by S.T.Dupont
The brand innovated by creating the first luxury jewelry pen. A ballpoint pen in solid silver, with a very refined line, the Classique.
It was a ballpoint, because it was new, and they were the "in thing". The launch at Maxim's was a truly Parisian event.
Next came watches, a return to fine leather goods and men's accessories: cufflinks, belts, tie bars, etc.
In 1996 the writing instrument family was expanded with the « Olympio » range which today is available in four sizes spanning from mini to XL.
2003 | At crossroads between tradition and innovation
The style is more asserted, and the brand is innovating while remaining faithful to its vocation as a brand of luxury and exceptional items.
S.T.Dupont revisits its values and its graphic language and acquired its true dimension as a global luxury brand for men. It is capitalizing on its origins to innovate and offer emblematic creations of the same caliber of those of its past.
Drawing inspiration from the exclusive crossed grain leather created in the 1930's for its sumptuous travel cases, the Brand launched a line of timeless leather goods : Contraste.
The following year S.T.Dupont reinterprets the ancient travel cases in a contemporary way with the DJ Case and later on the Vice Case, ultimate symbol of refinement and expertise .
In the same spirit of heritage revisited, the Windsor lighter, created especially for the Duke of Windsr back in 1952, was reedited in 2006.
S.T. Dupont continues in its stride and capitalizes on its emblematic pattern, the Diamond Head. Truly iconic of the Brand, S.T. Dupont makes this decor the theme of 2005 and applies it to the very first luxury USB key, an innovative marriage between technology and glamour.
2007 | 135 years!
The Brand celebrates its 135th Anniversary!
MANUFACTURER'S GUARANTEE
S.T. Dupont pens, lighters are guaranteed for two years from the date of purchase, subject to normal usage conditions and adherence to the instructions for use recommended by S.T. Dupont.
In the event that the product needs to be repaired during this guarantee period, the repair will be undertaken by S.T. Dupont (parts and labour), providing that:
the product has not been subjected to shock, immersion, etc. the problem has not been caused by inappropriate handling, fair wear and tear or failure to maintain the product (e.g. clogging). the product has not been repaired in any way by any after-sales service other than that of S.T. Dupont or been interfered with by any person not approved by S.T. Dupont. the product has not been modified in any way from its original condition.
The pen has not been dismantled in any way other than is necessary for changing the cartridge (according to the instructions for use). This guarantee does not affect your statutory legal rights especially with regard to legal guarantees against faults or latent defects.
SERVICING
If a service becomes necessary, the customer is advised to contact a Service Centre or an approved S.T. Dupont retailer directly in their country. The guarantee card and customer's name and address should be included with any article.
NOTE : S.T. Dupont cannot be held responsible for any damage, loss or alteration during repair to parts or accessories added to the product, for cosmetic or other reasons, by a third party.
