Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Paris and Faverges, France

S.T. Dupont

Partially verified

Luxury lighters, writing instruments, leather goods, and accessories

History

Simon Tissot-Dupont founded the company in 1872 in Paris, originally establishing a carriage business that was later replaced by a high-quality leather goods workshop.

In 1919, the founder transferred the business to his sons, Lucien and André, who expanded the company and relocated production to Faverges in 1924. Following the 1929 market crash, the firm shifted its strategy to target a luxury clientele, later diversifying into petrol lighters when the demand for travel cases decreased during World War II. The company was partially acquired by Gillette in 1971 before being sold in 1987 to the Hong Kong-based retailer Dickson Concepts, which remains the owner.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

  • The business is currently a subsidiary of the Hong Kong luxury group Dickson Concepts.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Le Sultan
Produced between 1935 and 1941, this was one of the brand's early lighter models.
Windsor
Introduced in 1945, this lighter model is characterized by its engine-turned design and combination of lacquer and gold plating.
D57
This was the first butane gas lighter released by the company in 1952.

Major innovations

  • The company developed a petrol lighter utilizing an aluminum-based alloy during World War II due to brass shortages.
  • In 1952, the firm launched its first butane gas lighter, the model D57.
  • The brand introduced a lighter in 1966 that featured a tool-free adjustable flame height.

Known markings

  • The firm operates under the name S.T. Dupont.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under S.T. Dupont. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

top plate or bridgespillar platebalance and cockwheel train between the plates
Schematic: plate and bridge layout. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. S. T. Dupont, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. ST Dupont, Wikipedia (French), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.