Jason PawloskyOver the past two decades, Louis Vuitton has consistently taken the necessary steps to establish itself as a prominent player in the world of luxury watches. From establishing the Fabrique du Temps watchmaking studio in Geneva to partnering with respected independent brand Akrivia and instituting the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, the brand has emerged as a significant force in high-end watchmaking. The latest offerings from La Fabrique du Temps, featuring exquisite handcraftsmanship, a sapphire crystal dial conceptualized by Frank Gehry, and a movement deserving of the prestigious Geneva Seal, underscore the remarkable progress made by Louis Vuitton in this arena.
The latest collection debuts with three Louis Vuitton Escale Cabinet of Wonders models, drawing inspiration from the personal collections of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, who served as the company's leader from 1907 to 1970. Each watch proudly displays his understated monogram on its dial.
The first model, named Koi’s Garden, showcases a captivating depiction of swirling koi carp, meticulously engraved in white gold by hand, capturing every scale, fin, and whisker over an extensive period of more than 150 hours. Another model features a vibrant serpent crafted through micro-sculpture, engraving, and champlevé enamel, set against a backdrop of marquetry bamboo composed of 367 individual pieces of wood, straw, and parchment. The third model, timely for the Year of the Dragon, boasts an intricately detailed golden dragon clasping a carnelian-set GLV monogram.
The upcoming High Watchmaking creation is a collaborative effort between La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and renowned architect Frank Gehry, known for his previous collaborations with the brand on projects like the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and the Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul. Drawing inspiration from the striking glass features of these structures, the Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Sapphire Frank Gehry boasts a case, dial, crown, lugs, and hands sculpted from a single block of transparent sapphire crystal. Crafting the intricate undulating dial reportedly required over 250 hours, while the internally developed flying tourbillon LFT MM05.01 movement, crafted at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Geneva, stands as another remarkable display of craftsmanship.
Featuring the flying tourbillon movement visible through a “stained glass” window on the dial, the Voyager Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Plique-à-Jour combines one of the rarest traditional handcrafts with one of Louis Vuitton's most advanced movements. The timepiece showcases the expertise of several master enamellers skilled in the ancient plique-à-jour technique, with each dial requiring over 100 hours of meticulous work. This blend of artistic mastery and the refined flying tourbillon movements has earned the Voyager Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Plique-à-Jour the prestigious Geneva Seal.
Awarded to only a select few watches that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, particularly in finishing and decoration, the Geneva Seal stands as the pinnacle of achievement in watchmaking. For Louis Vuitton, however, it represents just one of the recent accolades and initiatives propelling the brand to a prominent position among the world's most esteemed watchmakers.
