Döttling Has Unveiled The Buonaparte – 200 Year-old Restored Luxury Safe

Finest German handcraft since 1919, Döttling is well known for designing and restoring luxury safes. Now, the German specialists has announced the successful restoration of a 200-year-old safe to its former glory by hand, preserving much of its historical elements for the next 200 years.

Perhaps you had a chance to see some of their works such as The Narcissus safe (made in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld), The Chameleon (shy namesake adapting itself to its surroundings) or last The Colosimo (the smallest high-security safe in the world). Unlike some of these, The Buonaparte safe dates to 1809, or so the previous owner believes. Eyes wide, we listened to the words of the 92-year-old mother of the man with whom we negotiated the purchase of this singular safe in Montpellier, France, explains managing partner, Markus Döttling.

According to the assessment of Döttling specialists, a great example of Italian locksmiths’ artistic work was built at the end of the 18th century in Italy. The 180cm tall, 110cm wide and 70cm deep safe took a year-and-a-half to fully restore and has been finished with the original brushed and waxed steel. Three ring-like shapes baring remarkable parallels to the Papal Tiara are symbolically integrated into the decoration of the safe.

Incorporated into the interior of the safe is a secret trick mechanism, which was discovered by the team towards the end of the project. Following the trinity theme, access to the secret compartment is only accessed when three hidden buttons are pressed simultaneously. Other features of the ancient piece include three large keys, used to unlock the large safe.

The Buonaparte safe has been restored by hand in painstaking process and has been equipped for the next 200 years. [Döttling via BornRich]