LIP Type 14 Automatic Manufacture R26 black dial steel bracelet 41 mm

A revisited aeronautical heritage

At the end of the 1930s, as French aviation was experiencing its golden age, LIP designed true onboard instruments for the cockpits of civil and military aircraft. These watches, capable of withstanding vibrations, pressure changes, and temperature variations, equipped aircraft such as the Morane-Saulnier MS.406 and the Dewoitine D.520, jewels of French aeronautical engineering.

A true symbol of this expertise, the Type 14 already embodied the precision and robustness so dear to the Besançon-based manufacture. Nearly a century later, LIP pays tribute to this legend by offering a reinterpretation faithful to the spirit of the pioneers of the sky.
The Type 14 R26 perpetuates the aesthetic and technical codes of an aircraft instrument, now adapted to the wrist of contemporary adventurers. Entirely designed and assembled in Besançon, it perfectly illustrates the continuity of French watchmaking heritage.

Design & Aeronautical Functionality

Inspired by the instruments found in aircraft cockpits, the LIP Type 14 ref. 676032 displays a bold, technical appearance designed to ensure flawless legibility under any condition.
Its 41 mm brushed 316L stainless steel case strikes a perfect balance between sturdiness and functional elegance. It houses a bidirectional internal rotating bezel with triangular markers, adjustable via a screw-down crown located at 2 o’clock — a direct nod to the aircraft chronometers that equipped French fighters of the 1930s.

A second screw-down crown, positioned at 4 o’clock, handles time-setting and guarantees water resistance up to 100 meters, a testament to the mechanical rigor of the Besançon manufacture.
The slightly domed sapphire crystal, treated with a double-sided anti-reflective coating, ensures perfect visibility, even in the brightest environments.

The black dial, textured like an airport tarmac with subtle grained reflections, stands out with large beige “Old Radium” luminescent Arabic numerals, offering clear and immediate readability even in the dark. This true “instrument panel” aesthetic is the hallmark of the Type 14 collection.

This reference is distinguished by its 316L stainless steel bracelet with three rows of brushed links, ensuring both robustness and excellent comfort. Equipped with a quick-release system and a folding safety clasp, it gives the watch a coherent and distinctly contemporary look.
Each piece is individually numbered and comes with a three-year international warranty, a testament to the quality and reliability that define the LIP Manufacture.

The LIP R26 movement, the beating heart of the watch

Convinced it was time to restore LIP’s former prestige, the management of the Besançon manufacture launched an ambitious project: to design once again a French manufacture movement worthy of the brand’s illustrious past.
After three years of patient development carried out hand in hand with the SupMicroTech engineering school in Besançon, the LIP R26 calibre was born — the first automatic movement designed and assembled in Besançon in over half a century.

Developed through reverse-engineering applied to a proven mechanical base, the R26 has been entirely reworked: new schematics, redesigned components, micrometric adjustments, and refined finishes.
Over 70% of its production cost is French, with manufacturing largely localized in the Besançon region — a rare commitment at this price point, almost unique in contemporary watchmaking.

Measuring 26 mm in diameter and 5.92 mm thick, this movement is distinguished by its laser-decorated gear bridge and oscillating weight, both integrating the LIP logo directly into their structure.
This moving decoration, both playful and hypnotic, comes to life with every motion of the wrist, making the brand’s signature appear as if by magic.
Hexagonal screws — a subtle nod to French identity — further highlight the national pride embodied in this project.

Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the R26 calibre offers a 42-hour power reserve and accuracy between –5 and +10 seconds per day.
It features a stop-seconds mechanism and a quick-set date function, allowing for precise and intuitive time-setting.
Each piece is meticulously inspected and regulated by LIP’s master watchmakers, ensuring a level of craftsmanship that meets the standards of the finest manufactures.