Louis Vuitton presents a selection of the Maison’s most exceptional timepieces at the pinnacle of watchmaking savoir-faire and creativity. By bringing together the most experienced specialists to express their incomparable savoir-faire at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Switzerland, the Maison pursues its quest for excellence in the art of high-end watchmaking.
Tambour Opera Automata
It pays tribute to the Sichuan Opera’s Bian Lian, and the virtuoso decoration of this specific watch presents a traditional mask that comes to life and changes expression on demand. This “art of changing masks” characteristic of the Sichuan Opera is a major source of inspiration for the Tambour Opera Automatic Watch. During the opera, the performers can put on up to twenty different masks in a fraction of a second, revealing their wide range of expressions. Each has their own technique for making these painted silk figures appear and disappear with a quick hand gesture or a graceful fanning motion. In the 21st century, very few actors still master the ancient art of Bian Lian. To transpose this mysterious interplay of faces to a watch case, for two years, Louis Vuitton enlisted the help of the greatest contemporary craftsmen Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, alongside Master Enameller Anita Porchet and Master Engraver Dick Steenman. This caliber LV 525, totaling 426 components, has a power reserve of 100 hours and five animations. When the latch is pushed, the engraved pink gold dragon’s head rises to reveal the jumping hours inscribed on the forehead of the Bian Lian, while its tail indicates the retrograde minutes. The mask’s expression changes dramatically – its eyebrows frown, its eyelid closes over its left eye, and the pupil of its right eye retracts to reveal a pointed Monogram flower. Going from joy to sadness through the movement of its chin, the Bian Lian mask expresses a wide range of emotions.
Tambour Fiery Heart Automata
Louis Vuitton presents its first in-house self-winding automatic movement and first enamel dial with the feminine Tambour Fiery Heart Automata timepiece. Under the candy-bright hues and alluring textures of an engraved grand feu enamel dial, this watch features a rose motif with entwined thorny vines. At the push of a button at the 8 o’clock position, the Tambour Fiery Heart Automata blooms; at 9 o’clock, a flaming heart emblazoned with “SWEET” unveils; and at 12 o’clock, “SWEET BUT FIERCE” appears. This timepiece features five separate dial elements, rotating roses, gold tongues that simulate real flames, caliber LFT 325, horny rosestems in pink-gold, a 18K pink-gold rotor, a dial-side automata, and 65 hours of movement power reserve. Beauty emerges, refined and transcendent, from the crucible of horological knowledge and combined expertise at Louis Vuitton. The Tambour Fiery HeartAutomata is the multi-layered result of the Madison’s Approach to fine watchmaking, now elevated to unprecedented levels in all 169 years of Louis Vuitton history.
Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon
The final novelty is a true demonstration of the Maison’s craftsmanship and expertise, featuring the two new Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève,” in fluorescent green or yellow, completing the color palette of this exceptionally transparent family of watches.
