Can you give us a brief overview of Döttling, including how it was founded and its history?
Döttling was founded as a small locksmith’s shop in 1919. With its long-standing history, our dedicated team of steelworkers, engineers, saddlers and carpenters now boast more than 100 years of experience in the industry.
What is Döttling’s main philosophy and core production principles?
Our masterpieces are built in the heart of a region that is home to well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Thus, our town of Sindelfingen is one that embodies German ingenuity unlike any other. Pairing tradition with innovation, we aspire to showcase the best-in-class craftmanship using the highest quality materials – these are the main elements that comprise Döttling’s DNA.
Can you give us an overview of the products Döttling offers?
We have the world’s most sophisticated range of unique high-security safes that are widely customizable in term of sizes and materials. In addition to that, Döttling offers luxurious table-top objects that house watches in a distinctive and impressive way.
What makes your products stand out in comparison to other safe manufacturers?
First of all, there are no stock items at Döttling. Every safe we manufacture is made to order and absolutely one-of-a-kind. We then also offer masterpieces that are technically unique, worldwide patented and developed in-house. These include the “The Gallery”, the world’s only high-security safe with a transparent, bulletproof glass door and the “Guardian”, the world’s one and only travel safe.
What are the main advantages and unique aspects of each of the different categories of safes?
I would say Döttling not only manufactures the most prestigious safes, but also we have a variety of masterpieces for all thinkable needs. If you want to have a safe that is the highlight of your living room, the “The Bel-Air” would be the right piece; if you need a space-saving safe for your closet or your yacht, then “The Chameleon” with swing-in doors would be the perfect match, and if you like to travel a lot with your watch and jewellery collection, then the “Guardian” would be your ideal companion since it’s the world’s one and only travel safe with an integrated GPS-transmitter.
Tell us more about the materials used to produce the safes and how these maximise their durability and result in a top-quality product…
We use only the finest leather and Ultrasuede® as well as hand-selected woods and the best German steel available. Also, most of the manufacturing is still done by hand and with the highest personal attention to detail of our staff members. A Döttling safe is an investment for the present and future, and is something to be passed on to further generations.
What does ‘luxury’ mean to you and how is this incorporated into your safes?
On the practical and technical side, luxury for sure means that we use premium materials to build the best product on the market. This is self-understanding in a way. But there is also a much more important approach to how we define luxury: it is the very personal character and taste of the owner that deeply influences his safe. As every safe is custom-built to suit the individual, and only manufactured on order, you get your very personal masterpiece that is specially crafted for you. This is true luxury.
Tell us more about how the safes can be customized to individual requirements…
Our masterpieces can be customized in terms of the materials as well as the technical interiors. Stingray leather, Egyptian cotton, zebra fur, calf skin or even peacock feathers, there is no material you could possibly think of that we could not use to cover a safe. Then on the inside, you are free to wish for whatever you want from handmade drawer inserts or our high-precision watch winders up to magnetic holders for guns or rifles.
Do you have a favourite product? If so which one and why?
I do love all our products but if I have to name my favourite I’d take the “The Gallery”. To observe your watches turning while knowing they are stored safely behind bulletproof glass in a high security safe is a unique experience.
To find out more about Döttling, visit their website.