WOLF releases five limited-edition 190th Anniversary products, each a reference point in the five generations of WOLF history!

WOLF is celebrating its 190th anniversary in style, going through their rich history to bring a modern interpretation of what made the brand iconic. WOLF was founded in 1834 by Philipp Wolf I in the Silver District in Hanau, Germany. The brand first started with high-quality jewellery boxes, then transitioned into also making watch winders, safes and watch boxes. WOLF’s products offer a combination of function and aesthetic beauty, thanks to the brand’s reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail and innovation.

WOLF’s remarkable 190-year history is made up of five generations of family ownership that bring forth craftsmanship and innovation. Each generation contributes to the evolution of the brand and, in some cases, the brand’s survival during turbulent times.

One of the very first “Silver Presentation Boxes” to be created by Philipp Christoph Wolf I

The story of how Philipp Wolf I started the brand in 1834 goes that, as a silversmith by trade, he discovered that his silver jewellery sold better when presented in attractive boxes. As he started working more and more with the presentation boxes, he Philipp Wolf I realised there was more value in the beautiful presentation. He then shifted his focus to creating high-quality jewellery boxes and hence, laid the foundation for the inception of the WOLF company.

Each of the five generations has its own unique story in WOLF’s timeline. In celebrating the its 190-year history, WOLF will be releasing different products that represent the very essence of each generation, with each of these modern products being a reference to that generations unique creation.

“To say that I am proud of what we, as a company, have achieved would be a big understatement.
The business has continued for 5 generations, 190 years, with many ups and downs, but always
with a singular vision of making great product and taking care of the people who work in the
company. I am humbled by how hard they work and care, it is an honour to work with such
dedicated people. The future looks very exciting…here’s to the next 190 years!”
Simon Wolf, CEO, WOLF

Philipp Christoph Wolf I – The Silversmith (1836-1896) (First Generation)

The story of WOLF begins in 1834, when one simple concept from the visionary founder Philipp Wolf I brings about the company’s creation.

“It is logical to protect one’s possessions by storing and safeguarding them in a fine quality case.”

As mentioned previously, Philipp was a silversmith by trade. He made many different items in silver, including jewellery and cutlery. Then, he also started making boxes so as to present his stunning silver items. He created presentation boxes for his silver goods for some time until he realised that he was doing something that hadn’t really been done before. This is how presentation boxes first started! Upon releasing the value of these presentation boxes, he stopped his silversmith business to concentrate full-time on making boxes for his fellow jewellers.

Silver Watch Jewellery and Legacy Box

As a celebration of the first generation in WOLF’s history, the brand released a silver-plated box with an engine-turned exterior pattern. The box also has a beautiful piano-hinged lid. The inside of the silver box has a rich, deep blue LusterLocTM Ultrasuede lining. The interior also comes with two suspended watch cufs, ring slots, multiple small compartments for jewellery, pens, cufflinks and other small accessories. This jewellery box can be customisable, as it has multiple trays that can be completely removed to use as keepsake box.

Reference: 190001
Size: 25cm length x 20cm wide x 7cm height.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $785

Ida Wilhelmina Theresia Peterzon – The Traveller (1889 – 1991) (Second Generation)

Ida Wilhelmina Theresia Peterzon played a significant role in WOLF’s 190-year history. Not only was she a “travelling salesman” for the company, her efforts actually kept the company afloat as it went through a turbulent time in its history.

Philipp Wolf II was an accomplished box-maker who moved to Sweden in 1895. Fifteen years later, in 1910, he married the love of his life, Ida Wilhelmina Peterzon. A few years later, Philipp went through a huge amount of psychological trauma as he tragically lost two of their five children to the Spanish flu and the Rickets. This loss became too much to bear for Philipp, who retreated from his work and life. Sadly, due to the profound mental issues, he passed away in 1946.

With Philipp unable to work, Ida Wilhelmina Peterzon stepped up and took it upon herself to take the reins of the business so that she could support the love of her life and their three children: Philipp Wolf III, his brother Ernst and sister Anna-Lisa. This certainly was no easy task, as Ida would travel large distances across Sweden and Scandinavia by rail and horse-drawn carriage to sell the products that the factory could make, all stored in a large wooden banded trunk. This sheer will and determination to take care of her family is also what kept the WOLF business alive, highlighting a difficult but also a time of perseverance in the brand’s history pages.

IDA Trunk Jewellery Box

In reference to the large wooden banded trunk she used to carry around to sell the company’s products, WOLF has created an IDA Trunk Jewellery Box to celebrate the second generation of the brand’s history. The trunk features numerous draws and compartments. It also comes with wooden runners and brass hardware, while the exterior is made up of a recycled striped canvas in luxurious muted tones.

Reference: 190041
Size: 28cm length x 21.5cm wide x 22cm height.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $1,415

Philipp Wolf III – The Fisherman (1911-1993) (Third Generation)

Ida Wilhelmina Peterzon and Philipp Wolf II’s son, Philipp Wolf III, would eventually follow in the footsteps of his parents to take over the reins of WOLF. Those around him deemed him as a visionary.

Philipp Wolf III developed numerous new production techniques and processes at the WOLF factory in Malmo, Sweden. He was also the first to invent the iconic musical pirouetting ballerina box, which, as we know, would go on to become one of the most famous jewellery boxes in the world.

Philipp Wolf III also went on to buy the Hastad Mill near Lund, Sweden, in 1948. The mill was where he created the Swedish Salmon and Trout Association. The other side of Philipp III was that he deeply cared about the environment long before the term “climate change” came about. He could see the drastic effects that farming and humans in general were having on the ecosystem and environment, especially the health of the rivers, fish and waterways. His responsibility to make the world a better place is what has been carried onto the future generations of WOLF.

Ballet – Swan Lake Musical Jewellery Box

As a celebration of the third generation of WOLF family and ownership for this 190th anniversary, the brand has created the the Ballet Swan Lake Musical Jewellery Box. This has been created using inspiration from the original WOLF turning ballerina jewellery box, which now features a wooden inlay exterior pattern which is based on the workmanship of Ida’s vintage writing box.

Inside the box is its true beauty. We are treated to a grand theatre-inspired layout with one large and seven small individual jewellery compartments. These are all handmade from wood and have WOLF’s patented LusterLoc^TM ultra suede lining in the beautiful midnight blue.

Behind the ballet dancer, sold as two custom-sculpted interchangeable dancers with different skin tones, is a custom scallop-edged mirror surrounded by embroidery inspired by Swan Lake. The embroidery depicts a tree and lake silhouette designed by Fiona Howard. To bring the ballet dancer to life with the music of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to life, simply wind the box with the silver “W” key and open the box!

Reference: 190106
Size: 26cm length x 20cm wide x 9cm height.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $785

Philipp Wolf IV – The Aviator (Fourth Generation)

Philipp Wolf IV was born in 1936, and when he was ready, he took to the box business, helping his father by making samples and spending time at the factory. Philipp IV also had a love for the aircraft, as he would spend hours gazing at the aircraft Sturup airfield. His passion for the technical and mechanical came to full light when he took the reins of WOLF.

Philipp IV moved to England in 1960 and met a woman named Judie, whom he would marry after a week of knowing each other! Now that he was based in the UK, he was given the “green light” by his father to build a factory. A box production would be completed in Llanelli, South Wales in 1968, with the factory covering almost 100,000 square feet.

Phillipp Wolf IV’s passion for flying would also come to fruition. He obtained his private pilot license at a young age, and living in the UK, he take his beloved Beechcraft Staggerwing D17S from Biggin Hill to the WOLF factory in Wales, which would save hours spent driving on the road. Through his aerial journey, he would often take supplies and even customers!

Philipp WOLF IV – The Aviator

The brand is releasing the Philipp Wolf IV The Aviator to celebrate the fourth generation of WOLF history. This jewellery box is inspired by the original box designed by Philipp Wolf IV in the 1970s. The Aviator retains the classic 1970s vintage styling, with a modern twist to it. The jewellery box comes with a rich brown vegan leather and beige nubuck exterior. The Design Philipp “DP” iconic logo is done in gold finish, which matches beautifully with the leather.

The interior of the jewellery box comes with a LusterLoc^TM lining, that has a darker conker brown concertina stationery storage, snap close pocket and space to store a WOLF credit card case (not supplied). The jewellery box also features suspended watch cuf, removable covered keepsake tray, cufflink/ring tray and large scoop tray.

Reference: 190206
Size: 30cm length x 20cm wide x 10cm height.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $785

Simon Philip Wolf V – The Designer (Fifth Generation)

The WOLF we know today is run by Simon Philip Wolf V, who joined the business in 1985 working alongside his father. He gained experience in the business by first working in the factory and understanding sample making and factory production. The economy and WOLF business was flourishing in England. So it was the perfect time to tackle the USA and Canadian markets.

Simon’s father, Philipp IV, guided him as he was sent on a business trip to America to face one of their biggest challenges. As with any new market, there was some initial turbulence, but Simon persevered and eventually flourished, spending 30 years in America before heading back to the UK in 2021.

Just like his grandfather, Philipp Wolf III, Simon would also focus on looking after the Earth. He has developed many sustainability initiatives, including the WOLF’s latest project, the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark. Simon is now the driving force behind WOLF, managing a team of more than 60 people across the globe. He is both the Creative Director and CEO, from WOLF to the future, with design, innovation and sustainability at its very core.

Earth

To celebrate the latest generation, WOLF is releasing a host of products in three different colourways from nature: blue, green and brown. With sustainability being the main focus of the collection, the Earth range features single, double and triple watch winders, a watch stand box, 10-piece watch boxes and a triple watch roll.

The watch winders all come with WOLF’s patented technology Turns Per Day, Return to Start and Lock-in Dynamic Cuf, and also for the first time in WOLF’s smaller winders, Bluetooth control via WOLF APP. Earth has an apple leather exterior and recycled satin jacquard lining in a WOLF Signature pattern. Coloured matte metallic hardware with a custom circular lock finishes the look.