The Winchester Reimagined Arabesque

ARABESQUE

In a respectful nod to the tradition of great gunsmithing, the receiver is engraved to further underscore the interplay of artistry at so many levels of perception. True to its trailblazing spirit.

After crossing a new frontier in art and timekeeping with the first clock inspired by the legendary Winchester repeating rifle, the natural next step for The Unnamed Society x L’Épée was to explore the undiscovered landscape beyond.

This Limited Collection takes the original concept that conquered the imagination of visionary collectors and appreciators of the finer things to the next level: a true-to-life reimagining of the legendary Winchester lever action rifle as a clock in a unique, unrivalled, unprecedented and unexpected context of materials, colors and textures.

'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 caliber 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 7 days. 

EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN BEHIND THE KNOWN

"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. " Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Épée

Indifference is impossible. Each Winchester, reimagined work is a stunning addition in any setting. While it explodes aesthetic paradigms, it embodies the highest levels of craftmanship.

This Limited Collection takes the original concept that conquered the imagination of visionary collectors and appreciators of the finer things to the next level: a true-to-life reimagining of the legendary Winchester lever action rifle as a clock in a unique, unrivalled, unprecedented and unexpected context of materials, colors and textures.

For immediate release, Somewhere in Switzerland, January 2023 – Today, The Unnamed Society unveils Chapter V of The Unnamed Society’s unfolding story. Following the resounding success of the first collaboration with famed Swiss clockmaker L’Épée on the rifle-as-a-clock concept introduced last year, demand had been growing for a follow-up. But what do you do for an encore?  

The answer was as surprising as it was self-evident: to explore the uncharted territory that lay beyond the frontier that had just been crossed! The Unnamed Society is known for arranging unexpected meetings between art and creativity, between tradition and innovation, always at the apex of exclusivity in materials and craftmanship – to create something that in every facet is so new, precious and special that it transcends itself. Winchester, reimagined is the fascinating fifth chapter of a continuing journey that explores the unknown behind the known.

The legend that won the West, reimagined to win the imagination.
What could be more inspiring than the object that so perfectly embodied the human need for adventure, to discover but also to make a stand and to defend? We speak of an age long gone, one that the Winchester revolutionized when it was first introduced almost a hundred and fifty years ago. Winchester, reimagined captures this spirit for today, uncompromisingly respectful of what it symbolizes yet daring to open new perspectives.

Winchester, reimagined – Chapter V:
True works of art and sublime craftmanship – sensual, powerful, resolute.

Chapter III of Winchester, reimagined takes exceptional refinement in the choice of materials into uncharted territory. The bold statement made by the object is now matched with the bold combination of materials, colors and textures. The sleek, powerful lines are given a genuine freshness. A new, unexpected energy from unexpected associations to evoke unexpected emotions, for an endlessly fascinating experience. Not just to behold, but also in the way it unleashes a daring note in any space.

The choice of metals allows for every nuance of self-expression: Winchester, reimagined comes in variations of steel, gold plated (3N), black chrome, as well as in a selection of bicolor (gold plated-and-steel) iterations. Likewise, the stock and forestock provide the canvas for exploring new material combinations, truly pushing the boundaries of the rare and exotic: alligator, taurus, kangaroo, snake, lamb, shark, lizard, stingray, bloodwood, walnut, rosewood, oak, ebony.

The spectacular juxtaposition of materials and textures is matched only by the painstaking craftmanship that goes into the smallest detail.

Arabesque or The Tashi Touch?
In a respectful nod to the tradition of great gunsmithing, the receiver is engraved to further underscore the interplay of artistry at so many levels of perception. True to its trailblazing spirit, Winchester, reimagined also proposes an alternative to the classic arabesque motif: a modern interpretation of gun engraving by master bladesmith and knife designer Tashi Bharucha.

L’Épée – watchmaking at the service of a legend.

The original Winchester lever action repeating rifle introduced in 1866 was a gamechanger 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. It allowed for excellent handling and accuracy – without prior training. Hitting your mark took only a calm hand and determination.

By 1866, the Swiss watchmaking Manufacture L’Épée had already been making precision clocks for 21 years. And yet, the Swiss manufacture would have been awed by the Winchester’s reliability andaccuracy. Today, L’Épée is not just creating a unique timepiece, but recreating a piece of a unique time 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 caliber 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 7 days.

Says Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Épée: “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.”

Beyond the object, the Art of Gifting

There is a simple, or perhaps not so simple, reason The Unnamed Society calls it the Art of Gifting: it is about far more than the object being gifted. 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 experiencing a creation by The Unnamed Society is carefully and subtly thought-through. So it is more intense, so it will endure.

The case is finished in the finest leather; the bespoke stand crafted from rich walnut allows Winchester, reimagined to be displayed to the fullest effect on a table, desk, mantel or wall.

Winchester, reimagined – Chapter III is a Limited Collection of 87 ArtPieces, each one is a one-off creation with its own unique juxtaposition of precious and unexpected materials, textures and colors. The first works will be available for purchase in November 2022.

About The Unnamed Society Founded in 2019 in Switzerland, The Unnamed Society stands for the new measure of genuine quality, sophistication, taste and true exclusivity in modern gifting. When everything is attainable, when any possible earthly desire is within reach, the meaning of desirability shifts to a new and higher level.