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Few British brands are as widely recognised as Dunhill. And no other carries such a pleasing whiff of English gentlemanly interests. Dunhill is a brand born of the enthusiasms of one man, Alfred Dunhill. The British-based company specialises in men's luxury leather goods, writing implements, lighters, timepieces, fragrances and clothing. Dunhill prefigured the modern luxury goods market with its international ambitions, opening its Paris store in 1924 and venturing into Japan and the Far East, even China, long before others saw the sense of it. The heritage of Dunhill is so broad and so British: from its beginnings with the birth of the car to creating luxury accessories for motorcycling, aviation and the oh-so-fashionable smokers in the Roaring Twenties. Presently, Dunhill is using the talents of four leading designers to dig deep into its rich heritage, reinterpret old designs and restore focus to the venerable and quirky luxury goods label. Dunhill is selling the idea of masculinity as a thrilling movement done with style, wit, and just enough gentlemanly restraint. Just like Alfred.

1893
Alfred Dunhill (23) takes over his father’s saddlery business and converts it into Dunhill’s Motorities

1903
Alfred Dunhill’s first dashboard clock marks its entry in the
timepiece arena

1907
Alfred Dunhill opens a pipe, cigar and tobacco store among the men’s clubs of Duke Street, St James’, London

1921
Dunhill store opens in New York

1923
Dunhill store opens in Paris

1941
Alfred Dunhill’s Duke Street store is bombed during World War II.

1963
Manufacture of Dunhill brand cigarettes start

1985
First annual Alfred Dunhill Cup golf tournament

2000
Alfred Dunhill Links
golf championship supersedes Dunhill Cup

2005
Savile Row tailor Richard James, watchmaker Tom
Bolt, casualwear designer Nick
Ashley and leather-smith Bill Amberg are brought on board to help revitalise the brand

2007
Dunhill opens stores in India in association with SKNL subsidiary

2008
Alfred Dunhill appoints menswear designer Kim Jones as Creative Director

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BMW at the Geneva Motor Show 2009. The new BMW Z4 Roadster.