François de Baschmakoff - The first designer to work for LIP
François de Baschmakoff's journey with LIP began in early 1968, when he offered his services to Fred LIP.
This is the first time LIP has collaborated with an outside designer. Fred LIP initiated this project on his own.
Later, in the 1970s, many designer watches began to appear around the world.
Fashion designers Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior create contemporary watches under their own names.
In France, in 1974, Claude Neuschwander, an advertising executive and communications expert, enlisted seven designers—some of whom were very well-known—to modernize part of the LIP collection.
Who is François de Baschmakoff?
Prince François de Baschmakoff was born on December 27, 1931, in Paris and died on May 5, 1981, in Marseille.
He was a French designer of Russian origin, known for his contributions to watchmaking and design. Born into the Russian nobility, he was a pioneer of industrial design in France and collaborated with several prestigious brands, such as "Printemps."
François de Baschmakoff is best known for his collaboration with the French watch brand LIP. He introduced innovative and avant-garde concepts to watch design, marking a departure from the traditional styles of the time. His work with LIP helped create iconic models that have left a lasting mark on the watch industry.
It was in early 1968 that he contacted Fred Lip to offer his services in designing new models.
The Works of François de Baschmakoff
In 1968, François de Baschmakoff created the first French mechanical watch with a digital display for LIP. The watch came with a special plastic case, for which he received the award for best packaging design in 1970.
Marketed between 1971 and 1974, these watches were available in eight models but enjoyed only moderate success. Highly original for their time, all eight watches featured a more or less narrow crystal revealing three discs that indicated the hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively.
Of these eight models, three feature a crystal that spans the entire width of the case. They will be available in two stainless steel versions and one brown leather version. In the center of the dial, a horizontal red marker makes it easier to read the time.
The five latest models feature a very small crystal on the left and a removable "LIP" emblem on the right, which customers can have engraved with their initials. One model will be available with a mechanical movement and a wide, light fawn-colored strap, while the others will be offered with a rigid steel bracelet and either an automatic or mechanical movement, depending on the model.
