THE KEY OF THE CRAFT LUXURY SAFES BY DÖTTLING by Nicholas Thompson
In the picturesque southern German town of Sindelfingen, just a short drive from Stuttgart, fine artisanal craftsmanship is still thriving. Here, veritable treasure chests are made using age-old tradition and elaborate practices for discerning clients ranging from royalty to celebrities looking not just to store their most valuable possessions, but to display their power and status. Döttling’s story is steeped in history. With humble beginnings as nothing more than a locksmith shop in 1919, the company has stood the test of time, passed down through four generations. Today, the brand is helmed by Andreas K. Schlittenhardt, who has transformed the business into the leading global manufacturer of luxury safes. “We were filling a gap in the market,” explains Andreas. “We started out restoring antique safes until many of our clients began asking us if we could make products that met modern security standards.” No luxury has been spared in the process of creating their
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own elaborate security devices. For each step of the production process, Döttling employs skilled artisans, ranging from restorers and smiths to leather workers, painters and security specialists, who meticulously build their impressive safes by hand, each a bespoke masterpiece designed with the client’s specifications and requirements in mind. From fully integrated watch winders to keep timepieces ticking to humidors providing the ideal storage conditions for cigars, there are few limits to what can be done to one of Döttling’s safes. “Our clients are used to driving the most luxurious cars, living in lavish homes – and yet each time they get to unveil their safe, it’s like watching a small child on Christmas morning,” boasts Andreas. Each safe goes through an arduous production process utilising the teams’ knowledge of traditional crafting techniques. Some are upholstered in supple leathers, such as the Liberty Barcelona, inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Barcelona chair. Others are gilded with 24-karat gold leaf fittings or plated in chrome. Each is a work
of art in its own right. “We are very proud of the work we do.” Innovation is at the cornerstone of the Döttling brand, with an impressive product list in tow, such as the limited Narcissus model, the result of a unique collaboration with none other than the fashion tycoon Karl Lagerfeld. In 2013, Döttling released its Guardian line – a unique portable vault enabling easy mobility. This compact cylinder-like piece of luggage proves looks can be deceiving: behind the calf leather exterior is a nigh-impenetrable fortress of metal and military-grade polycarbonate. Safety is paramount to every safe, with state-of-the-art security features like fingerprint recognition and GPS tracking available. The Fortress safe, billed the safest luxury safe on the market, provides certified insurance coverage of up to USD 1,000,000. The price range is vast, largely dependent on the individual specifications of the client. To meet a growing demand for larger safety facilities in private residences, Döttling has