Coffee-table book

Louis Vuitton, a (young) history of watchmaking

In 2002, the watchmaking world saw the unexpected arrival of Louis Vuitton. Twenty years on, the book Louis Vuitton Tambour follows the bold history of the famous luxury trunk maker and shines a light on the artisans working at La Fabrique du Temps. As the book delves into the genesis of the iconic Tambour watch, it reveals the unique story of a maison that marches to the beat of its own drum.

By Chloé Redler

The Louis Vuitton Tambour, one for the books

In this new book, journalist Fabienne Reybaud charts Louis Vuitton’s young watchmaking adventure.

Louis Vuitton Tambour celebrates the 20th anniversary of the trunk maker’s entry into watchmaking by retracing a daring journey, studded by outstanding watches – © Tambour Twenty.

As a background, Reybaud, an expert in luxury watchmaking, highlights the savoir-faire of the artisans at the Fabrique du Temps, who skillfully combines tradition and innovation. With over 350 illustrations as well as expert testimonials, she unravels the story of the coveted object, maker of the brand’s success, the birth of the Tambour and the several variations created over the years. This lavish and fascinating book will undoubtedly become a bible for collectors and enthusiasts.

With over 350 illustrations and its sophisticated layout, this book is a beautiful object in its own right.

Price: €125 – Thames & Hudson editions – Available in Louis Vuitton stores.

A twenty-year anniversary watch

La Louis Vuitton Tambour Twenty
The Twenty, celebrating twenty years of the Tambour.

The Louis Vuitton Tambour, a signature timepiece

Two decades ago, the maison pushed open the doors of the (very exclusive) watchmaking world and presented its Tambour watch, which has been an emblem of the brand ever since. The watch was designed and crafted in the workshops of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, located in Meyrin, Switzerland, where it was given great care and consideration. The iconic object was revisited time and again, and is now available in numerous variations allying tradition and innovation. The Spin Time (2009), the Evolution (2014), the Slim (2016), the Moon (2017), the Curve (2020), the Carpe Diem (2021) and the connected version Horizon Light Up (2022; see our article “Spotlight on the Tambour Horizon Light Up“), to name but a few.

An anniversary piece

2022, back to the future with the Louis Vuitton Tambour Twenty. This edition, well on its way to become a collector’s item, features the brand’s characteristic colours: brown for the famed trunks (in the dial and strap) and yellow for the waxed threads of the bags (in the hands). The steel case has a 41.5 mm diameter and features a domed caseband, engraved with the brand’s twelve letters opposite each hour. Do not be fooled by the vintage look of this timeless watch: its technical performance is remarkable. In terms of mechanics, it is powered by an automatic movement with a chronograph function and a gold oscillating weight, slightly openworked. This manufacture calibre delivers up to 50 hours of power reserve. A genuine aesthetic feat of ever-fluid geometry.

WEBSITE FOR LOUIS VUITTON WATCHES

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