11
THE LIBERTÉ WATCH
THE ORIGINS…
17 June 1885.
The Isère, a majestic three-master, forerunner
of the modern-day ships, made its entrance in
New York Bay with a precious cargo aboard:
the Statue of Liberty. Though today this work
is a universal symbol known right around the
world, who still recalls the true story behind it?
In fact, the idea of constructing such a
monument came to fruition in 1865 in the
mind of Édouard de Laboulaye, a French
politician enamored of democracy and of
liberty. The creation of the famous statue,
designed to celebrate the centenary of
America’s independence, was entrusted to
Auguste Bartholdi, one of the most talented
sculptors of his age. The monument was
finally completed in July 1884, having
overcome numerous technical, human and
financial challenges.
It was initially transported from Paris to
Rouen, where it was loaded onto a ship
called the Isère, a French Navy frigate, bound
for America. Two days after setting sail, the
vessel was caught right in the middle of a
storm. During this time, New York received no
news of the Isère and her precious cargo…
Finally, after a four-week voyage across the
Atlantic Ocean, the frigate valiantly made her
entrance into New York harbor; the symbol of
Liberty was saved.
This historic epic still resonates today like a
universal anthem, aspiration for excellence,
which served to inspire Isère 1885 for its first
timepiece creation: Liberté.