RARE LIP ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT BY CHARLES BOURGEAUX, CA. 1965

An extremely rare piece of horological memorabilia. This is a blank “Lip Electronic” training course certificate, likely dating from the late 1960s, as indicated by the presence of the name Fred Lip, who served as president of Lip until 1971.

Document signed by Charles Bourgeaux (1910–1985), a French watchmaker trained in part at Patek Philippe in Geneva, hired by Lip, and a member of the Commission of Chronometer Manufacturers at the Besançon Observatory. After World War II, he took over as head of Lip’s chronometry department, where he revived the tradition of regularly submitting the company’s products to the Besançon Observatory for testing, including the R.23 and R.25 caliber wristwatch movements during the “200-piece operation,” in order to improve their quality. 

In June 1965, he received the Diploma of Excellence for Best Master Regulator from the Ministry of National Education. In 1968, he was named Meilleur Ouvrier de France, first receiving the title of Lauréat du Travail and then Meilleur Ouvrier de France in the watchmaking category during the 12th National Exhibition of Work.

Among Lip watch collectors, Charles Bourgeaux is particularly well known for his role in refining the R23 and R25 mechanical movements, as well as for the precision work involved in developing the first Lip electronic watches. 

The document is printed on thick paper with a white textured embossing featuring the LIP coat of arms, which depicts an eagle flanked by two columns.

Publisher: LIP
Year of publication: ca. 1965
Number of pages: 1 page
Dimensions: Height 24 cm, Width 36.5 cm