In the “Who wears what” section, the wrist often tells more than the words. And in the case of Charles Alloncle, the choice is consistent until the end. While he is widely talked about after submitting his report on public broadcasting, and while he is facing a major smear campaign for having denounced the mismanagement of the public service, the MP appears with a watch that fits the character perfectly: a LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mm golden. A French watch, elegant, discreet, well designed, and above all very reasonable.
No unnecessary demonstration. No status watch chosen to send a social signal. No above-ground watchmaking madness. Just a nice little classic watch, 219 euros (you will find it here), with real charm, an obvious French roots and a certain idea of outfit. Honestly, it’s a very good choice. We would like Delphine Ernotte to be as thrifty…
Charles Alloncle, a man in the spotlight
In just a few days, Charles Alloncle has become one of the most talked about names of the moment. His report on public broadcasting placed him at the center of the political and media game. Since then, the attacks have been raining down. Nothing very surprising: as soon as we touch public money, established habits and ideological income, the smear machine quickly starts up.
The choice of his watch sticks to him, he who is young, clean, discreet, diligent, with no apparent taste for flamboyance.
A Himalayan LIP: a French, logical and almost political choice
When we know that Charles Alloncle willingly defends French products, see a PIL on his wrist is not surprising. It’s even perfectly logical. LIP remains one of the best-known names in French watchmaking, with this mixture of heritage, popular notoriety and seriousness.
And then there is the name Himalayaswhich is not marketing dressing invented in a boardroom. At LIP, it refers to a real story, that of the great French expeditions of the 1950s, with Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy. This gives this line a historical depth that its very affordable price does not necessarily suggest.
Obviously, the watch worn by Charles Alloncle is not a mountaineering instrument. Here we are in a classic, urban, simple and elegant version. But this name Himalaya brings extra soul.
An elegant, discreet and very well chosen watch
The watch he is wearing appears to be the LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mmin its “golden” version with black leather strap. And frankly, it suits him very well.
First because 35mmon a wrist that is not very thick, it is often much fairer than a modern oversized diameter. Then because this watch has a real natural elegance. It remains fine in its design, discreet in its presence, and sufficiently dressy to accompany a jacket without falling into the old, stiff side.
We are on a piece that has hold without stiffness. She does not seek to be noticed at all costs. She accompanies. She emphasizes. It completes a silhouette. And that’s precisely why choice works. Charles Alloncle has neither the style, nor the wrist, nor even the character to wear an anvil with a steel bracelet like a young office wolf who has spent three months looking at watch accounts on Instagram. This LIP is much more like her: she is classy, discreet, clean, well-mannered.
A small watch, but a real presence
Don’t let yourself be fooled by the diameter. Yes, 35mmtoday it seems small on paper. In reality, on a watch of this nature, it gives exactly what is needed: a light presence, real distinction, and a timeless quality that many larger watches have lost in their attempt to appear important.
The golden case, the matte silver white dialTHE golden needlesthere small seconds at 6 o’clock and the black crocodile-style bracelet make up a very balanced whole. It’s sober, but not sad. Classic, but not dusty. Elegant, without being soft.
A reasonable watch, and that’s also what makes it likeable
HAS 219 eurosthis LIP is very accessible. In a political environment where image matters enormously, wearing an elegant French watch at this price sends a very clear signal. That of a man who does not feel the need to create stature through accessories. That too of a measured, coherent, almost disciplined choice.
It must be said frankly: this is a change from the overly expensive, too flashy or too calculated watches that we sometimes see on the wrists of officials who want to send a message of power while pretending to speak to the real country. Here, no. The watch remains credible. She is pretty, she is well chosen, she is French, she is not ruinous. Difficult to do much cleaner in the genre.
The technical characteristics of the LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mm
There LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mm plays the card of well-executed simplicity.
The round case is made of 316L stainless steelwith polished and brushed finishes, in a gold version. Its diameter is 35mmwith a crotch of 18mm. The watch offers a display two hour and minute handssupplemented by a small second. The dial is matt silver whitethe needles are goldenand the indexes mix golden arabic sticks and numerals.
Glass is a mineral K1 roundedthe bottom of the box is screwedthe crown is thrustand the waterproofness is announced at 30 meters. The bracelet is in black crocodile-style leatherclosed by a golden pin buckle.
Inside, we find a Ronda 1069 quartz movementwith 2 rubiesan announced precision of –10 to +20 seconds per monthand a stack of type 377.
We’re not going to pretend: this is not a watch that sells itself on the poetry of movement. That’s not his subject. Its subject is design, readability, reliability, lightness, everyday ease. For the price, the contract is largely fulfilled.
The real interest of this watch
What makes this LIP interesting in this section is not that it is rare, complicated or sought after by collectors. It is the coherence between it and the one who wears it.
Charles Alloncle chose a French watch, elegant, discreet, inexpensive, well designed. This indicates a taste for sober objects. This also indicates a certain refusal of tinsel. And this reinforces his image as a serious, tidy, diligent, almost methodical guy.
Technical sheet
Model : LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mm
Reference : 671719
Public price : €219
Manufacturing : France, Besançon
Housing : polished, brushed and gold 316L stainless steel
Diameter : 35mm
Entrecorne : 18mm
Glass : mineral K1 rounded
Dial : matt silver white
Needles : golden
Index : golden sticks and Arabic numerals
Functions : hours, minutes, small seconds
Movement : quartz Ronda 1069
Ruby :2
Precision : –10 / +20 seconds per month
Stack : 377
Bottom : screwed
Crown : push
Waterproofing : 30 meters
Bracelet : black crocodile-style leather
Clasp : golden pin buckle
Weight : 38g
Guarantee : 2 years
Verdict
There is nothing ostentatious about Charles Alloncle’s watch, and this is precisely what makes it very suitable for the wearer. This LIP Himalaya Classic 35 mm is a clean, elegant, French, reasonable choice, very well calibrated for one’s style, for one’s wrist and one’s attitude: measurement, consistency, the taste of a well-made product without absurd expense. And basically, in the political sequence he is going through, it is not a bad message to send.
