Celebrating 190 Years of WOLF
Honouring Generations with Limited Edition Masterpieces
In 2024, WOLF, the esteemed luxury brand known for its exquisite watch winders, jewellery boxes, and travel accessories, celebrates an extraordinary milestone: its 190th anniversary. To commemorate this significant event, WOLF is releasing five limited edition products throughout the year, each symbolising one of the five generations of the Wolf family that have contributed to the company’s illustrious history.
A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Founded in 1834 in the silver district of Hanau, Germany, WOLF has remained a family-owned business for 190 years. Over five generations, the company has navigated challenges and embraced opportunities with a commitment to innovation, design excellence, and sustainability. CEO Simon Wolf reflects on this journey with pride and gratitude:
“To say that I am proud of what we, as a company, have achieved would be a big understatement. The business has continued for five generations, 190 years, with many ups and downs, but always with a singular vision of making great products and taking care of the people who work in the company.”
Commemorating Five Generations: Limited Edition Releases
Each of the five limited edition products released throughout 2024 pays homage to a specific generation of the Wolf family, celebrating their unique contributions and enduring legacy.
1. January 2024: Silver Watch, Jewellery and Legacy Box
The first product, launched back in January, honours the founder, Philipp Wolf I, a skilled silversmith.
Reflecting his expertise, the Silver Watch, Jewellery and Legacy Box features an exterior with an “engine turning” treatment, creating intricate patterns across the silver surface. The interior is lined with sumptuous Ultrasuede treated with LusterLoc™ to prevent tarnishing, capable of holding two watches, accessories, and jewellery. This versatile piece can also serve as a keepsake box, symbolising the timeless legacy of Philipp Wolf I’s original craftsmanship.
The Silver Box boasts a hidden piano-hinged lid and features WOLF’s 190th anniversary crest logo. It offers versatility with removable trays, watch cuffs, ring slots, and compartments, making it an exquisite statement piece that celebrates craftsmanship and elegance.
2. April 2024: The Ida Jewelry Box
Ida Wolf, the resilient wife of Philipp Wolf II, was the inspiration for the special anniversary product launched in April.
Following the tragic loss of two of their children, Ida’s determination kept the company alive through tough times. Ida famously lugged her trunk on horse drawn carriages and steam trains to sell the boxes made in the company’s workshop. Surviving two World Wars, she did all this whilst raising her three surviving children.
In tribute to her role in sustaining the company, Ida is a trunk-style jewellery box. It features a recycled canvas exterior in muted tones with top-grain leather trim, brass stud detailing, a custom lock, and the exclusive 190th anniversary logo plate. Adorned with delicate floral engravings and lined with soft velvet, this beautiful jewellery box embodies Ida’s unwavering strength and dedication.
Inside, the LusterLoc™ treated Ultrasuede lining features multiple compartments, ring slots, covered trays, and three drawers with compartments, including a small travel case. The perfect blend of elegance and functionality inspired by Ida’s travel trunk.
3. July 2024: The Twirling Ballerina Box
July’s release is a nostalgic nod to Philipp Wolf III’s inventive spirit. Known for creating the iconic twirling ballerina box, this limited-edition product features a miniature ballerina that dances when the box is opened, captivating users with its charm. This piece captures the essence of Philipp Wolf III’s creativity and his ability to bring joy and innovation into everyday objects.
Its exquisite wooden inlay, reminiscent of Ida’s vintage writing box, is complemented by silver-finished hardware and a custom-designed key.
Inside, a Swan Lake embroidered grand theatre design by Fiona Howard surrounds the custom scallop-edged mirror above handmade wooden compartments with LusterLoc™ treated ultrasuede lining. The box comes with two interchangeable ballet dancers which begin to dance to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by winding the silver ‘W’ key.
4. October 2024: Philipp – Men’s Watch and Jewellery Lifestyle Box
In October, WOLF honours Philipp Wolf IV with a special release inspired by his 1970s design.
The Philipp box combines vintage aesthetics with modern flair, offering a sophisticated men’s watch and jewellery lifestyle accessory. Crafted with a rich brown vegan leather exterior, accented by beige nubuck and a gold-finished iconic ‘DP’ logo, the box exudes elegance.
Inside, the LusterLoc™-lined interior features varied storage options, including a snap-close pocket and removable trays. The Philipp box is the ideal accessory for the discerning man, blending classic style with contemporary functionality.
5. December 2024: The Earth Collection
Concluding the anniversary series in December is the Earth Collection, representing the current generation’s commitment to sustainability. Under Simon Wolf’s leadership, WOLF has adopted eco-friendly practices, from using recycled materials to implementing solar energy solutions. This collection, crafted with sustainable “apple leather” and recycled plastic, symbolizes the brand’s dedication to preserving the environment for future generations.
The Earth Collection features an apple leather exterior and recycled satin jacquard lining in the WOLF Signature pattern, available in three nature-inspired colours. Coordinating matte metallic hardware and a custom circular lock complete the design. Options include a single, double, or triple winder, a watch stand box, a 5-piece watch box, and a triple watch roll. The winders incorporate Bluetooth control via the WOLF app and WOLF’s patented technology, including Turns Per Day, Return to Start, and the Lock-in Dynamic Cuff, showcasing the perfect blend of sustainability and innovation.
Looking Forward: A Vision for the Future
As WOLF celebrates its 190th anniversary, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Simon Wolf emphasises the importance of these values, stating:
“As I move the company forward, I do so with a strong focus on sustainability because this is the only way to protect our legacy.”
WOLF’s ongoing efforts include working towards the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark, emphasising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its global operations.
As WOLF looks ahead to the next 190 years, it does so with a deep respect for its past and a clear vision for a sustainable, innovative future. The limited-edition products not only celebrate the company’s storied history but also inspire continued excellence and stewardship for generations to come. Here’s to the legacy of WOLF and the exciting future that lies ahead.
WOLF Key Facts
• WOLF is available in prestigious retailers in 60 countries around the world.
• Philipp Wolf III invented the iconic musical turning ballerina jewellery box.
• WOLF’s patented watch winders are the only winders in the world to count Turns Per Day, all the others use time to guess the number of rotations.
• If you put a piece of jewellery in a WOLF jewellery box for 35 years it will be as sparkling as the day you put it in there due to WOLF’s patented LusterLoc™ lining which prevents jewellery discolouring or tarnishing over time.
WOLF Watch Winders at Zelley
At Zelley, we’re proud to be official stockists of WOLF1834, a brand synonymous with luxury in watch storage, jewellery boxes, and travel cases. Among our best-sellers, WOLF’s cutting-edge watch winders stand out – particularly the highly sought-after Cub Range.
What makes WOLF winders exceptional is their patented technology, which precisely counts each turn applied to your watch, ensuring a flawless wind every time. With WOLF’s TPD (Turns Per Day) database, you can easily determine how many rotations your watch requires and customise your winder accordingly.
Crafted from vegan leather and available in a range of vibrant colours, the Cub Single Watch Winder delivers both elegance and accuracy. Its patented lock-in dynamic cuff ensures a secure fit for any wrist size, without adding unnecessary pressure to your watch’s bracelet.
Key features of the WOLF Cub Single Watch Winder include:
- Patented rotation programs featuring intermittent rotation, pauses, and sleep phases
- 10-second start delay and 900 Turns Per Day
- Bi-directional rotation settings
- Option to power the unit via AC or battery
For those with multiple timepieces, the WOLF Double Cub Watch Winder offers a stylish solution. With its saffiano finish, glass cover, grosgrain faceplate, chrome hardware, and dual winding modules, it combines form and function perfectly.
Interested in viewing our WOLF collection or learning more about their special anniversary products? Feel free to reach out to us with any questions!
