H I S T O R Y

Timeless Legacy Through a Seamless Blend of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Early 2014, Lebois & Co owner Tom van Wijlick and his wife Eveline came across a captivating image of an exquisite vintage Swiss Made chronograph watch, auctioned by Christie’s. Intrigued by its beauty, they printed the picture and stuck it to their fridge. What followed was a deep-dive into the obscure brand and its heritage.

Established in 1934 by Raymond Dodane of the renowned Dodane watchmaking family, the brand fell dormant after the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s.

With the endorsement of the Dodane family, Lebois & Co experienced a renaissance, precisely eight decades after its inception. Now under new ownership, the brand is strategically positioned to perpetuate its legacy of crafting aesthetically pleasing and affordable luxury Swiss timepieces.

Grateful for the support of over 75 investors, Lebois & Co has successfully reclaimed its position on the wrists of watch enthusiasts around the world, methodically expanding its collection with innovative models.

Our journey through time

1934

In the Beginning

 

It’s eleven days to Christmas, 1934, and third-generation watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane expands the family business with a new brand: Lebois & Co. Its mission is clear and simple:

Create aesthetically pleasing, luxury Swiss timepieces at an affordable price.

1940

Lebois & Co watches as a gift for pilots in WWII

 

It’s 1940, and the world is in the throes of the Second World War. To expand their fleet, the Swedish Air Force have ordered italian-made Caproni 313 reconnaissance bomber aircraft. They send a squadron of pilots to Italy to fly them back home. Always keen on aesthetics, the Italians have selected Lebois & Co chronographs as a gift for the pilots.

 

That’s how Lebois & Co recently resurfaced at an auction in Stockholm, Sweden.

1947

Lebois & Co gets Italian

 

Lebois & Co is given to the brand’s Italian importer who helped Dodane during WWII.

1972

End of an Era

 

Forty years after its establishment, the original Lebois & Co’s production grinds to a halt, and the brand ceases all operations.

 

But it only fuels the brand’s image as a hidden and unique collectors’ item. Its models become highly coveted by watch fans all over the world. This beautiful 1945 Lebois & Co Chronograph sells for over $ 6,000 at Christie’s Important Watches auction in 2012.

2014

Rediscovering a Legacy

Early 2014, avid watch fans Tom & Eveline van Wijlick browse Christie’s auction catalog. One watch in particular jumps out at them: a beautiful vintage model from an obscure brand they’ve never heard of before. It’s a Lebois & Co Chronograph. Struck by its beauty, they print out the picture, and stick it to their fridge.

 

Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they start their research of this unfamiliar brand and its former owners.

2014

Lebois & Co is reborn

 

Tom contacts the Dodane family in France. Recognising a genuine love for vintage watches, they approve his plans to resurrect Lebois & Co. Exactly eighty years after its inception, Lebois & Co resumes its original mission: to create aesthetic, luxury Swiss timepieces at an affordable price.

 

Following modern trends, the new Lebois & Co logo is crowdsourced, and the first new model, the Avantgarde Date, comes together through a crowdfunding scheme.

2015

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2018

Lebois & Co launches ‘Become a shareholder’ campaign

 

A defining moment in the modern revival of Lebois & Co was the launch of the “Become a Shareholder” campaign. This initiative opened the door for watch enthusiasts to invest in the brand, becoming co-owners of its storied legacy.

 

By embracing community funding, Lebois & Co strengthened its commitment to independence, collaboration, and timeless design.

2018

Lebois & Co introduces… the Venturist

 

In a bold move to push horological boundaries, Lebois & Co presented the Venturist as the very first watch to receive Timelab’s Observatoire Chronometrique+ (OC+) certification. Balancing Lebois & Co’s timeless design with rigorous performance standards, the Venturist marks a new pinnacle of precision and reliability.

 

Its debut underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment to blending rich heritage with cutting-edge innovation—offering watch enthusiasts a truly groundbreaking timepiece.

2021

Lebois & Co’s first CoLAB project goes live

 

Lebois & Co launched its first CoLAB project to bring watch enthusiasts directly into the creative process. Inspired by the brand’s vintage chronographs from the 1930s and 1940s, this collaborative effort resulted in the Heritage Chronograph—a modern reimagining of Lebois & Co’s storied past.

 

By inviting collectors to help shape everything from the dial design to technical features, Lebois & Co not only celebrates its history but also looks ahead, empowering a new generation of watch lovers to share in its legacy.

2022

Lebois & Co reveals its Heritage Chronograph prototypes

 

Lebois & Co proudly presents the prototypes of its Heritage Chronograph. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s storied 1930s and ’40s designs, these pre-production models combine vintage aesthetics with modern engineering. Each piece reflects Lebois & Co’s dedication to co-creation and meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring that feedback from watch enthusiasts will shape the final production models.

 

This collaborative spirit continues to define Lebois & Co’s commitment to honoring its past while looking ahead to the future.

1934

 

In the beginning

 

It all begins 11 days before Christmas in 1934. Lebois & Co is founded by French watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane, who represents the third generation of the Dodane watchmaking family. Its mission is clear and simple: create aesthetic and affordable luxury Swiss timepiecess.

 

The Dodane Manufacture is founded in La Rasse in the Doubs in 1857, by Alphonse Dodane and his father-in-law François-Xavier Joubert. In 1929 the Dodane family settles in Besançon, where Raymond Dodane carries on the traditions of complex watchmaking.

1940

 

Lebois & Co watches as a gift for pilots in WWII

 

Italian aircraft manufacturer Caproni buys Lebois & Co chronograph watches to hand to give them as gifts to the group of pilots of the Swedish Air Force when they came to Italy to collect and fly home their new Caproni Ca 313 reconnaissance bombers.

 

Some of these watches are still around. This one was recently auctioned in Stockholm, Sweden.

1947

 

Lebois & Co gets Italian

 

It all begins 11 days before Christmas in 1934. Lebois & Co is founded by French watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane, who represents the third generation of the Dodane watchmaking family. Its mission is clear and simple: create aesthetic and affordable luxury Swiss timepieces.

 

The Dodane Manufacture is founded in La Rasse in the Doubs in 1857, by Alphonse Dodane and his father-in-law François-Xavier Joubert. In 1929 the Dodane family settles in Besançon, where Raymond Dodane carries on the traditions of complex watchmaking.

1972

 

The brand ceases to exist

 

40 years after the brand is founded, the original Lebois & Co stops producing watches and the brand ceases to exist.

 

Despite the disappearance of Lebois & Co, the brand is still known today and popular with watch collectors all over the world. This beautiful 1945 Lebois & Co Chronograph sold for over $ 6,000 at Christie’s Important Watches auction in 2012.

2014

 

The finding of an unfamiliar brand

Early 2014 Tom & Eveline come across a picture of a beautiful vintage watch, a Lebois & Co Chronograph which was sold at an auction by Christie’s. They print the picture and stick it to their fridge.

 

Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they start their research of this unfamiliar brand and its former owners.

2014

 

The finding of an unfamiliar brand

After the approval of the Dodane family the brand is resurrected, exactly eighty years after the original company was founded. Continuing its mission to create aesthetic luxury Swiss timepieces.

 

Fitting modern times, the new logo for Lebois & Co is crowdsourced and the first model, named Avantgarde, will be crowdfunded.

2015

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2018

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2018

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the second Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 104% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its second batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2019

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the 3rd Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date.

 

The campaign is funded at 161% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its third batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2021

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2022

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co returns to Kickstarter to part-fund the second Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 104% of its goal and Lebois & Co is proud to be able to start producing its second batch of watches! To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

1934

 

In the Beginning

 

It’s eleven days to Christmas, 1934, and third-generation watch manufacturer Raymond Dodane expands the family business with a new brand: Lebois & Co. Its mission is clear and simple:

Create aesthetically pleasing, luxury Swiss timepieces at an affordable price.

1940

 

Lebois & Co watches as a gift for pilots in WWII

 

It’s 1940, and the world is in the throes of the Second World War. To expand their fleet, the Swedish Air Force have ordered italian-made Caproni 313 reconnaissance bomber aircraft. They send a squadron of pilots to Italy to fly them back home. Always keen on aesthetics, the Italians have selected Lebois & Co chronographs as a gift for the pilots.

 

That’s how Lebois & Co recently resurfaced at an auction in Stockholm, Sweden.

1947

 

Lebois & Co gets Italian

 

Lebois & Co is given to the brand’s Italian importer who helped Dodane during WWII.

1972

 

End of an Era

 

Forty years after its establishment, the original Lebois & Co’s production grinds to a halt, and the brand ceases all operations.

 

But it only fuels the brand’s image as a hidden and unique collectors’ item. Its models become highly coveted by watch fans all over the world. This beautiful 1945 Lebois & Co Chronograph sells for over $ 6,000 at Christie’s Important Watches auction in 2012.

2014

 

Rediscovering a Legacy

Early 2014, avid watch fans Tom & Eveline van Wijlick browse Christie’s auction catalog. One watch in particular jumps out at them: a beautiful vintage model from an obscure brand they’ve never heard of before. It’s a Lebois & Co Chronograph. Struck by its beauty, they print out the picture, and stick it to their fridge.

 

Being struck by the beauty of this timepiece they start their research of this unfamiliar brand and its former owners.

2014

 

Lebois & Co is reborn

 

Tom contacts the Dodane family in France. Recognising a genuine love for vintage watches, they approve his plans to resurrect Lebois & Co. Exactly eighty years after its inception, Lebois & Co resumes its original mission: to create aesthetic, luxury Swiss timepieces at an affordable price.

 

Following modern trends, the new Lebois & Co logo is crowdsourced, and the first new model, the Avantgarde Date, comes together through a crowdfunding scheme.

2015

 

Successful Kickstarter funding

 

Lebois & Co launches its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to part-fund the first Re-launch Edition of the Avantgarde Date watch.

 

The campaign is funded at 126% of its goal, making it the first luxury Swiss Made mechanical watch successfully funded on Kickstarter! The first watch is sold in over 20 countries around the world. To find out more about our Kickstarter campaign, visit the Kickstarter project page.

2018

 

Lebois & Co launches ‘Become a shareholder’ campaign

 

A defining moment in the modern revival of Lebois & Co was the launch of the “Become a Shareholder” campaign. This initiative opened the door for watch enthusiasts to invest in the brand, becoming co-owners of its storied legacy.

 

By embracing community funding, Lebois & Co strengthened its commitment to independence, collaboration, and timeless design.

2018

 

Lebois & Co introduces… the Venturist

 

In a bold move to push horological boundaries, Lebois & Co presented the Venturist as the very first watch to receive Timelab’s Observatoire Chronometrique+ (OC+) certification. Balancing Lebois & Co’s timeless design with rigorous performance standards, the Venturist marks a new pinnacle of precision and reliability.

 

Its debut underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment to blending rich heritage with cutting-edge innovation—offering watch enthusiasts a truly groundbreaking timepiece.

2021

 

Lebois & Co’s first CoLAB project goes live

 

Lebois & Co launched its first CoLAB project to bring watch enthusiasts directly into the creative process. Inspired by the brand’s vintage chronographs from the 1930s and 1940s, this collaborative effort resulted in the Heritage Chronograph—a modern reimagining of Lebois & Co’s storied past.

 

By inviting collectors to help shape everything from the dial design to technical features, Lebois & Co not only celebrates its history but also looks ahead, empowering a new generation of watch lovers to share in its legacy.

2022

 

Lebois & Co reveals its Heritage Chronograph prototypes

 

Lebois & Co proudly presents the prototypes of its Heritage Chronograph. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s storied 1930s and ’40s designs, these pre-production models combine vintage aesthetics with modern engineering. Each piece reflects Lebois & Co’s dedication to co-creation and meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring that feedback from watch enthusiasts will shape the final production models.

 

This collaborative spirit continues to define Lebois & Co’s commitment to honoring its past while looking ahead to the future.

French Roots, Dutch Vision, Swiss Made.