The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

This watch is extremely rare (only 46 copies (all sold)) which is the result of a collaboration between the students of the ENSMM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Micro Mécanique (of which my son is a member) which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year and MAT. MAT provided the base (a California) and the students designed the background by integrating elements important to them: the lion of Besançon, the µ symbol of the school. The watch is supplied with several straps (leather, rubber and synthetic) but my son, who is passionate about cars, found that this Nato type "Gulf" suited him well. The movement is a Sellita. MAT has promised to never again produce this watch which will therefore remain very rare. The 1/46 copy was offered to the management of the School and sits in the entrance hall of the School. My son's is the 6/46

Unique history and the fruit of an original collaboration

My wife's watch... A LIP Himalaya skeleton... with a touch of customization (the µ on the front, our children's first names on the oscillating weight) due to the fact that it is a partnership between LIP and the ENSMM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Micro Mécanique de Besançon where one of our children is a student) (a school which has many partnerships with other watchmakers and many of whose former students now work in the field of watchmaking, particularly in Switzerland.

Feminine and dressed with a unique touch

For me this watch is the very essence of the iconic watch (reprise of the historical model from Yema) with its unique patina to each watch thanks to its Bronze case. The integration of the GMT is just perfect, as is the size of the watch (39mm) which makes it a watch that is both discreet and full of charm. The only flaw I found was the original bracelet, which I corrected by putting a superb custom bracelet made by Xamlam. Good performance in terms of precision for the in-house Yema 3000 movement (+-6 sec/day)

Iconic and unique thanks to its personal patina

Limited series (in homage to the special forces of the army (it is not a watch of endowment but just a homage)) of the nautic ski in discreet outfit: all black with few frills. It reminds me of the first Bell & Ross, of the Sinn 556. And what charm brought by a magnificent domed sapphire which distorts the sides. The emblematic signature of the Nautic Ski namely the super compressor with the inner bezel is obviously present.

Nautic-Fantome: discreet and endearing.

The French watch brand LIP is an emblematic figure of the watch industry, recognized for his innovation, his avant-garde design and his history rich in twists and turns. Founded in 1867 in Besan&ccedil;on, LIP has gone through periods of glory, economic challenges and social struggles, while leaving an indelible mark in the history of French watchmaking.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: Foundation and Expansion (1867-1930)</h2>
The history of LIP begins in 1867 when Emmanuel Lipmann founded a small watchmaking workshop in Besan&ccedil;on, the French capital of watchmaking. Initially named "Comptoir Lipmann", the workshop specializes in the manufacture of high quality pocket watches. In 1893, the company became the "Soci&eacute;t&eacute; Anonyme d'Horlogerie Lipmann Fr&egrave;res" and adopted the brand LIP, acronym of the founder's initials.
At the beginning of the 20th century, LIP stood out for its technical and aesthetic innovations. In 1904, the brand introduced the "Lip" pocket chronometer, which met with notable success. LIP is quickly positioning itself as a major player in French watchmaking, combining precision and elegance in its creations.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Age of Innovation: The 1930s-1950s</h2>
Under the direction of Fred Lip, son of Ernest Lipmann, LIP enters a period of intense innovation. In 1933, the brand launched the model <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/t18">Lip T18</a>, a rectangular wristwatch equipped with a high-precision movement. This model became emblematic and was offered in 1948 to Winston Churchill in recognition of his role during the Second World War.
In the 1950s, LIP continued to innovate by introducing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/electronic">Lip Electronic</a> in 1952, the first French electronic watch. This model uses a quartz crystal to keep time, constituting a significant advancement in watchmaking technology. Lip offered at this time the first models&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/himalaya">Lip Himalaya</a> which still remain in the catalog today.
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1960s: Expansion and Avant-Garde Design</h2>
The 1960s marked a period of expansion for LIP like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/nautic-ski">Lip Nautic-Ski</a> presented during the Grenoble Olympic Games in 1968. It was also the beginning of collaborations with renowned designers to create watches with innovative designs. In 1967, the brand called on Roger Tallon, famous industrial designer, to design the collection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/mach_2000">Lip Mach 2000</a>. These watches are distinguished by their futuristic aesthetic and their bold shapes, breaking with traditional watchmaking codes.
At the same time, LIP develops watches intended for specific uses, notably for pilots and divers, thus strengthening its reputation as a manufacturer of technical and reliable watches.
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1970s: Crisis and Social Struggles</h2>
Despite its successes, LIP faced financial difficulties at the end of the 1960s, exacerbated by international competition and changes in the watch market. In 1973, the company was placed in liquidation, triggering a series of strikes and factory occupations by workers. This social movement, known as "LIP Conflict", became emblematic of workers' struggles in France and attracted national media attention.
The employees, led by the trade unionist Charles Piaget, took control of production and continued to manufacture and sell watches under the slogan "It's possible: we make, we sell, we get paid!". This experiment in self-management aroused broad popular support and symbolized workers' resistance to factory closures.
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1980s-1990s: Relaunch Attempts and Changes in Ownership</h2>
After the liquidation of LIP in 1977, several attempts at revival were undertaken. In 1984, the brand was bought by the "Kipl&eacute;" company, but this initiative failed, leading to another liquidation in 1986. In 1990, the businessman Jean-Claude Sensemat acquired the brand and successfully relaunched production, relying on modern marketing methods and reissuing iconic models. Under his leadership, LIP experienced a renaissance and achieved significant sales.
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2000s: Renewal and Modernization</h2>
In 2002, Jean-Claude Sensemat signed a worldwide licensing contract with Jean-Luc Bernerd, who created the Manufacture G&eacute;n&eacute;rale Horlog&egrave;re in Lectoure, in the Gers region, to produce LIP watches. This collaboration makes it possible to modernize the collections while respecting the brand's heritage. LIP continues to offer reissues of historic models, while introducing new creations adapted to contemporary tastes.
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2010s: Back to Basics and Sustainable Development</h2>
In 2015, the brand was bought by the "Soci&eacute;t&eacute; des Montres Bisontines" (SMB), based in Ch&acirc;tillon-le-Duc, near Besan&ccedil;on, France. This return to geographical sources marks a new stage in the history of LIP, which strengthens its local roots and its commitment to sustainable development. Production is relocated to France, and the brand strives to promote French watchmaking know-how. LIP continues to offer its emblematic collections which have marked its history, seeking to meet the expectations of modern consumers.
Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Ranking of the most popular French watch brands</a>, including LIP.
(Updated November 2024)

I love my Lip Himalaya. It's my first automatic watch. I had initially fallen in love with their hourglass model, but when I put this one on my wrist, I knew it was the right one. While the movement itself is not exceptional, it is quite accurate and reliable. The dial with its applied indexes is very dressy, which is rare for a skeleton watch. This Lip is perhaps the best value for money for those who want a dress watch, but with a surprising je ne sais quoi!

A very dressy skeleton watch

Magnificent version of LIP Himalaya, with its UFO case and its very refined dial. The sunray is strongly accentuated here, with shades ranging from steel gray to anthracite gray which gives a splendid depth effect; and often a "smoked dial" effect. All the rest of the watch is gold plated, and the whole thing catches the light well without being bling-bling. Very pure design therefore, without frills, but with a small bright orange second hand which gives a little boost to the whole, without distorting the original spirit of the watch. Very successful.
Only small downside: a crown a little small and too integrated, therefore difficult to wind (manual winding).

A very pure design

This watch is made of a brushed steel case, on its large central part, and mirror polished at the bottom and top. The choice is relatively limited in terms of new skeletonized models at affordable prices and quality. What I particularly like about this timepiece is that although it is skeletonized, it is made up of a dial mixing numbers and indexes. This dial allows reading the time as easy as on a more classic watch, which is rarely the case with this type of model. The blued hands bring an additional touch of elegance. I would have appreciated a more refined Swiss movement, but for the price range it would have been difficult.

Skeletonized version

This Himalaya is actually my father's watch. I really like the numbered indexes at 3, 9 and 12 o'clock. Its beating heart allows us to observe part of its escapement. This movement stamped Lip is a Miyota caliber (Citizen) with a power reserve of about 40 hours, which is enough for a daily. Its blue dial and its horns are undoubtedly its major assets.

A very good all-round watch

Received as a gift from my friends for my 31st birthday, this LIP Himalaya Hourglass Blue Dial has strong sentimental value for me, but not only that.

With its 40 mm diameter and relatively thin case, it sits perfectly on my wrist. The solid blue dial is very attractive, and the hourglass opening is quite original (however, the visible movement isn't very attractive). In terms of precision, I'm pleasantly surprised by the Miyota Series 8 caliber: my watch drifts by barely 5 seconds per day, which is pretty good.

The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is the original metal bracelet: it's not very comfortable because the adjustment is done solely by links, and I find myself between two lengths. I often alternate it with a black Tropic bracelet, perfect for sunny days.

In short, an endearing watch, well-made for its price, and one that I always enjoy wearing!

An engaging and successful watch

La marque&nbsp;Serica a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2019 par J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget et 3 amis &agrave; Paris, en France. Le nom Serica vient d'une r&eacute;gion perdue au bout de l'Extr&ecirc;me-Orient que les Grecs et les Romains avaient baptis&eacute;e ainsi. Ce lieu fait &eacute;cho &agrave; la gen&egrave;se de la marque, qui vise &agrave; concevoir des montres m&eacute;caniques de qualit&eacute; au style n&eacute;or&eacute;tro, pr&ecirc;tes &agrave; vous suivre aux confins du monde.
La gamme comprend des montres telles que la <a title="Page Serica 4512" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, la <a title="Page Serica 5303" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> et la <a title="Page Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. L'une des particularit&eacute;s de cette marque est que son nom n'appara&icirc;t nulle part sur le cadran, afin de pousser le passionn&eacute; &agrave; acheter un design, des finitions et des proportions, et pas seulement un nom. En juillet 2023, Serica a lanc&eacute; la Serica 5303 COSC une version chronom&egrave;tre certifi&eacute;e par le Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres.
Leur avant-dernier mod&egrave;le est la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfant sur les bases de la 1&egrave;re r&eacute;f&eacute;rence de la marque, la Serica 4512. Cette 6190 &eacute;pouse les codes stylistiques de la marque, des anses lyres, un choix de cadrans diff&eacute;rents et la possibilit&eacute; de choisir la position de la couronne &agrave; 3 heures ou en mode "Destro" &agrave; 9 heures. Cette Serica 6190 est &eacute;quip&eacute; du calibre Soprod M100 certifi&eacute; COSC (Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres) &agrave; l'intar des productions actuelles des autres mod&egrave;les 5303 et 8315.&nbsp;
Depuis le 21 novembre 2024, Serica propose une nouvelle collection tr&egrave;s audacieuse...&nbsp;Une montre habill&eacute;e sortant des sentiers battus nomm&eacute;e "Parade" sous la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence 1174. Ces 4 chiffres, comme toutes les autres r&eacute;f&eacute;rences Serica, propose une symbolique issue du nombre d'or ou divines proportions dont le ratio entre la longeur et la largeur sont de 1,174... Une nouveaut&eacute; propos&eacute;e en pr&eacute;-commande &agrave; 1,490 &euro; pour une livraison pr&eacute;vue en Mars 2025...
<h2>Quel est le prix d'une montre Serica ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Serica &eacute;voluent et diff&eacute;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre 990 &euro; et 1,890 &euro; selon les mod&egrave;les et finitions. Le mod&egrave;le GMT de la marque, Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre co&ucirc;te 1,890 &euro; tandis que le dernier mod&egrave;le lanc&eacute; par Serica, la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">6190</a> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; 990 &euro;.
Serica est ind&eacute;pendante et produit environ 5,000 montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Serica fait partie du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Top 10 des marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises les plus populaires</a>, ainsi que du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_micro_marques_de_montres">Classement des meilleures micro-marques de montres</a>. Pour choisir le mod&egrave;le Serica qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une ressource essentielle pour &eacute;valuer les diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2024)

The brand Serica was created in 2019 by J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget and 3 friends in Paris, France. The name Serica comes from a lost region at the end of the Far East that the Greeks and Romans named it like this. This place echoes the genesis of the brand, which aims to design quality mechanical watches in a neo-retro style, ready to follow you to the ends of the world.
The range includes watches such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. One of the particularities of this brand is that its name does not appear anywhere on the dial, in order to encourage the enthusiast to buy a design, finishes and proportions, and not just a name. In July 2023, Serica launched the Serica 5303 COSC, a chronometer version certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfing on the bases of the brand's first reference, the Serica 4512. This 6190 follows the stylistic codes of the brand, lyre lugs, a choice of different dials and the possibility of choosing the position of the crown at 3 o'clock or at &ldquo;Destro&rdquo; mode at 9 o&rsquo;clock. This Serica 6190 is powered with the Soprod M100 caliber COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Certification) certified, like the current productions of the other 5303 and 8315 models.&nbsp;
Since November 21, 2024, Serica has been offering a very daring new collection... A dress watch off the beaten track called &ldquo;Parade&rdquo; under the reference 1174. These 4 figures, like all other Serica references, offer a symbolism derived from the golden number or divine proportions whose ratio between length and width is 1.174... A novelty offered for pre-order at &euro; 1,490 for one delivery planned for March 2025...
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Serica watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Serica watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between &euro; 990 and &euro; 1,890 depending on the models and finishes. The brand's GMT model, Serica 8315 GMT Chronometer costs &euro; 1,890 while the latest model launched by Serica, the reference&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">6190</a> is offered to &euro; 990.
Serica is independent and produces around 5,000 watches per year, all models combined. Serica is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Top 10 most popular French watch brands</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_micro_watch_brands">ranking the best micro watch brands</a>. To choose the Serica model that best suits you, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190 reviews</a> or <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315 reviews</a> are an #1 resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience.
(Updated December 2025)

Lip Himalaya Owner Review : Unique, delightful and elegant

Feminine and dressed with a unique touch

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Lip Himalaya Owner Review : Unique, delightful and elegant

Feminine and dressed with a unique touch

Where to buy your Lip?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by YfficBzh

MATWATCHESCalifornia

YemaSuperman GMT Bronze

LipNautic

Other Lip Himalaya owners' reviews

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