Quick answer
The Picotin 18 is about 18 cm wide, 19 cm tall and 13 cm deep. Clemence is a thick, grained calfskin with a matte surface and a soft hand. Etoupe is a grey-taupe color, and most Etoupe bags leave the workshop with ecru contrast stitching. On a replica, the parts that show quality first are the grain scale, the stitch line, the handle mounts, the padlock and the edge paint. No replica is identical to the original, and no seller can promise that a replica will pass an authentication check.
Original specs to compare against
- Model: Picotin Lock, introduced in 2002, shape taken from a horse feed bag.
- Size 18: roughly 18 cm wide, 19 cm tall, 13 cm deep. Handles are short, sized for the wrist or elbow.
- Closure: leather tab with a small padlock and keys. No shoulder strap on the standard model.
- Interior: unlined in Clemence, single compartment.
- Base: four metal feet on most versions.
- Hardware: palladium or gold tone, depending on the year.
Clemence leather: what to look for
Clemence has a large, irregular grain and a dull finish. It is heavy and flops. A bag in Clemence will not stand upright after a few weeks of use, and the handles will lean. Replica Clemence often shows one of two faults: a grain printed in a repeating pattern, or a coated surface with a sheen. Look at the grain under a lamp at an angle. Real grain varies in depth across the panel. Look at the cut edge of the leather at the top opening, where the material is visible.
Etoupe color and stitching
Etoupe sits between grey and brown. It reads cool in daylight and warmer under yellow light. Contrast stitching on Etoupe is ecru, not pure white. On a replica, check that the thread color matches across the body, the handles and the tab. Mismatched thread lots are a common fault. The stitch angle should sit at about 45 degrees with even spacing on both faces of a seam.
Inspection list for a replica
- Grain: irregular scale, no repeat pattern, matte surface.
- Stitching: even count per inch, consistent thread color, no loose tails.
- Handles: two layers of leather, folded and stitched, with a firm attachment at the top edge.
- Padlock: weight in the hand, clean engraving, no sharp edges on the shackle.
- Edge paint: thin, even, no drips on the leather face.
- Feet: four, seated flat, no gaps at the base.
- Smell: leather, not solvent or plastic.
- Symmetry: handle height equal on both sides, base square.
Price and risk
Replica prices for this model range from about 150 USD to 600 USD, and price does not track quality in a straight line. Sellers use terms like 1:1 and mirror quality with no standard behind them, so ask for photos of the actual unit. In the US, counterfeit goods are subject to seizure by Customs and Border Protection, and selling a replica as authentic is illegal. Treat any claim of authenticity with doubt.
Care notes
Clemence marks with water and oil. Store the bag stuffed with tissue in a dust bag, away from direct sun. Etoupe shows denim transfer on the base and handle edges. Clean with a dry cloth first and avoid silicone products on grained calfskin.