This limited collection from The Unnamed Society takes the original concept that conquered the imagination of visionary collectors and connoisseurs of 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, colours, and textures
The Unnamed Society recently unveiled Chapter V of its 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. The marque decided to create something very special – Winchester, reimagined.
The legend that won the West, in an age long gone, one that the Winchester revolutionised when it was first introduced almost a hundred and fifty years ago. Winchester, reimagined captures this spirit for today, uncompromisingly respectful of what it symbolises yet daring to open new perspectives.
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, colours, and textures. The sleek, powerful lines are given a genuine freshness.
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 bicolour (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.
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.
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 and accuracy. 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 calibre 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.
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, mesmerised, 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.
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 colours.
