Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds
Conceptualized by founders Johan Storni and Bastien Vuilliomenet in 1994, the firm was founded in 2015, with the first commercial pieces, Ref. 1100, available November of 2016.
Johan Storni worked for renowned houses such as Renaud & Papi (Audemars Piguet) and La Joux-Perret, and since 2008 has been working for Richard Mille in the development of watch movements and mechanisms. Bastien Vuilliomenet started his professional life by working in the design studio Etude de Style in Neuchâtel, and he stayed there from 2004 to 2007. He later went on to working as a watch designer and product design manager for Corum Watches for 6 years, and as of 2014 he became a product manager for the private-label company Roventa-Henex where he is in charge of managing watchmaking development projects for many confidential clients.
The Blue Mondays (Lundis Bleus) and "Lundis-Bleus"
Until the end of the 19th century, many workers in the watch industry took part of what was known as "Blue Mondays" (Lundis Bleus in French), a self-granted form of freedom where the most skilled and well-paid workers would not go to work on Mondays, sometimes Tuesdays as well, and in some cases pushing all the way to Wednesdays. Historical traces prove the tradition's existence as early as the 16th century in Switzerland.
Looking for rest and entertainment to compensate their efforts in 15 to 16 hour-long workdays, Sundays excluded, the workers found themselves choosing to have the alcohol flowing in their local pub rather than being in their workshops. They would organize their work as freelance professionals do today, working whenever they wanted and following their own set of rules. With the arrival of industrialisation and the reduction of working hours in the early 20th century, the workers gradually lost their independence and freedom, becoming employees with shorter, rationalised and structured workdays the end of Blue Mondays had arrived.
Lundis Bleus imposed itself quite frankly when it came to choosing a name for our watch brand. Besides the delicate poetic sound of the words "Lundis Bleus", it is also the strong historical meaning of the words in the watch industry, and more importantly their affirmation of independent spirit, the core of their project.
The logo is in itself a graphical interpretation of an alcohol molecule, to evoke the conviviality and overall humanity of their brand.
Technical Specifications:
The basin-shaped case, with caseback lugs, measures 40mm x 11mm.
It has an AR-coated domed box type sapphire crystal and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Ergonomical crown with 7 notches, all polished (except the microblasted notches). The caseback features the firm logo, made by cutting and soldering. Hardened mineral display back.
Movement is the Japanese Miyota caliber 9015 with 24 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 42 hours. Rotor with specific pad printing done at the workshop. Rate accuracy checked and adjustedat in-house to +-10seconds/day.
Dial: double plate design (in brass). All applied parts, and the plates, have a galvanic plating. Kiln-fired enamel dials.
Bottom plate with grained pattern made by stamping. Upper plate cut and decorated with a circular satin finish. Domed circular applied logo, 4mm. 12 stick-shaped applied indices. Polished applied date window at 6 o'clock. Polished applied central chimney used to enhance the lateral view on hand-fitting.
Date disc with specific Lundis Bleus font and backgroud color matching dial main color. Minute track is pad printed in varnish. Dial opening of 33mm.
Hands: flat cut hour and minute hands, in brass, with galvanic plating. Skeleton type with specific Lundis Bleus shape. Flat cut central second hand with long couterweight, in brass, with galvanic plating.
It comes on a 19mm leather strap with Rembordé construction (turned-in) without stitching and a steel buckle.
It is delivered in a wooden box with matte grey varnish finish with steel hinges. Lining in grey fabric. The watch is presented on a grey fabric cushion within a removable tray.
It has a 5 year warranty, with the first overhaul free of charge (must be requested within the 5 year period). Engraved stainless steel warranty card.
MSRP is 1,350 Swiss Francs.
Thanks.