Louis Vuitton Monogram Tambour Tourbillon Comes in 676 Varieties

Louis Vuitton Monogram Tambour Tourbillon Comes in 676 Varieties

Seth Semilof
By Seth Semilof August 13, 2012

A relative newcomer to haute horology, Louis Vuitton is vanquishing any doubts about its technical acuity with the impressive, personalized Monogram Tambour Tourbillon.

18K yellow, white and pink gold compose the skeletonized, 41.55 mm case. Inside, an LV 103 calibre movement beats under a crystal of sapphire treated with anti-reflective glaze.
The tourbillon is in full view, and a close examination reveals that its wheel and carriage have been designed to resemble the metalworking found embellishing antique immigrant trunks.

Tourbillon by Louis Vuitton
A pink gold case for the Monogram Tambour Tourbillon.

The personalization is visible in the monogram constructed on the third bridge of the piece, found near the 9 o’clock position of the dial. Because each unit is designed around its assigned monogram, it is important to note that there are 676 possible two-letter combinations in the alphabet.

The strap for the piece is leather made from stingray, with available colors of brown, blue or khaki. Water-resistant up to 100 meters, the Monogram Tambour Tourbillon outperforms many of its rivals with its ample power reserve of 90 hours.

The watches will be crafted in a region known for watch-making, the Chaux-de-fonds district in Switzerland.

“By locating its watchmaking workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Louis Vuitton has made a clear choice: to develop the exceptional craftsmanship of this heritage town, a guardian of time,” said Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle.

In doing so, Carcelle has planted Louis Vuitton at the very epicenter of haute horology, with neighbors like Cartier and Hublot flanking the diversified fashion house’s watch-making operations.

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Source and photos courtesy BornRich.