What Time Is It? Let Me Check My Lighter.
S.T. Dupont and Franck Muller have collaborated on an unusual accessory.
The French brand S.T. Dupont has produced a number of distinctive luxury items since it was founded in 1872, but its newest creation may be the most unusual of them all.
The S.T. Dupont x Franck Muller Master Lighter — or the Master Lighter Franck Muller x S.T. Dupont, as the watch brand calls it — is a lighter with a watch embedded in its case.
Such a partnership might appear to be just a marketing strategy, but the companies say the project, conceived one evening when executives from both brands met informally over cigars, was definitely not that.
“It didn’t start from a commercial approach at all,” said Alain Crevet, Dupont’s chief executive. “It started from the will of a few crazy maverick technical people to create something original.”
The design does seem more integrated than some collaborations, which can appear as though one company has simply lent its name or distinctive color palette to another. “The idea was to keep the best of the two brands,” said Jean-Loup Glénat, the head of design at the Swiss watch brand Franck Muller, with the shared goal “to together create one product, not two products in one.”
We’re thrilled to share that LOMBARDO and our Director of Strategy, Rita Lombardo, were featured in The New York Times discussing the intricacies of luxury brand collaborations and the most recent one between Franck Muller USA and S.T. Dupont.
While the allure of partnering with another strong brand is undeniable, Rita emphasizes the importance of strategic alignment. “Just because you do a collaboration with two strong brand names, it’s not going to guarantee success,” she explains.
We believe in the power of strategic partnerships to elevate luxury brands. Our expertise lies in identifying the perfect collaborations that resonate with your target audience and drive growth.
Want to learn more about how we can help your luxury brand create impactful collaborations? Let’s connect!