This silver-plated Links of London card holder represents a curious and rare intersection between luxury accessories and automotive innovation. Believed to be a corporate commission by Renault during the early 2000s, the piece features a spring-loaded internal mechanism and arrives with its original branded packaging — including a Renault-embossed outer box.

📦 Corporate Commissions in Context

Before Links of London became best known for women’s jewellery and charms, the brand began with gentlemen’s accessories, including cufflinks, silverware, and high-end corporate gifts. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, they produced a number of bespoke pieces for luxury brands and corporations.

This card holder likely falls into that category. While there is no publicly available confirmation of the precise event, the item’s timeline aligns with the 2000–2001 launch of Renault’s groundbreaking hands-free key card system, first introduced with the Renault Laguna II. At the time, the idea of a contactless entry card for cars was considered revolutionary — and a custom Links of London silver card holder would have made a fitting presentation or press launch gift.

🛠️ Materials, Construction & Details

• Material: Silver-plated metal with stainless steel spring mechanism
• Stamp: “Links of London” mark on rear
• Dimensions: 93mm (length) × 57mm (width) × 7mm (depth)
• Card Slot: 55mm internal width, 1.4mm slot thickness
• Front Window: 40mm × 22mm cut-out
• Functionality: Spring-loaded insert, fits 1–3 credit/debit cards or 3–6 business cards

🧰 Restoration & Condition

The item was acquired in unused condition but showed signs of age-related tarnish and surface dullness. It has been professionally cleaned and hand-polished using Menzerna fine metal cream, preserving its original finish. The result is a bright mirror surface with minimal handling marks — true to its age and careful storage.

It is accompanied by:

• Original Links of London soft storage wallet (excellent, near-new condition)
• Renault-branded outer box (visible creases and age-related wear, no structural damage)

🔎 Dating the Piece

Without a hallmark, dating silver-plated pieces often requires contextual research. In this case:

• The Links of London logo corresponds with those used from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
• The Renault logo on the outer box was in use between 1992 and 2004.
• The key card innovation from Renault was launched with the Laguna II in 2001.

As such, we estimate this card holder was produced circa 2000–2001.

🌍 Why It Matters

For collectors of Links of London, automotive history, or corporate memorabilia, this piece offers a glimpse into the brand’s early custom commissions — as well as a moment in time when luxury branding and automotive innovation merged.

Vintage silver-plated Links of London card holder front view

🛍️ Available in The Vault

This restored piece is available now in The Vault, our collection of restored vintage and retro Links of London items. With original packaging and speculative historical links to the early era of contactless car entry, it is as much a conversation piece as it is a card holder.

Vintage Links of London Silver-Plated Card Holder – Renault Edition