THE ART OF TIMEPIECES
SHOWCASING A UNIQUE SELECTION OF EXCEPTIONAL TIMEPIECES, LOUIS VUITTON HELD ANOTHER SPECIAL HIGH WATCH COLLECTION EVENT IN BANGKOK. RIGA RAMADHAN REPORTS
Back in June, French luxury goods company Louis Vuitton held two special events in Bangkok. First was the highly awaited and star-studded event Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2022 Spin-Off Show held at The Pinnacle in ICONSIAM. And then there was the Louis Vuitton’s High Watch Collection, which was held at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok.
Essentially, the maison showcased a unique selection of exceptional timepieces—pieces that are arguably at the pinnacle of high watchmaking savoir-faire and creativity—in Bangkok. The focus was decidedly on La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton’s meticulous craftsmanship and innovative prowess.
Speaking of which, the latest release from Louis Vuitton that earned a spotlight in the horology world—and arguably the most special timepiece on display during the event in Bangkok—is none other than the Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum. It is a unique and disruptive complicated hybrid watch that combines mechanical and electronic marvels.
“The challenge, really, was to mix these two worlds: the high watchmaking world and the high electronics world. It’s a very daring take. Nobody has dared to mix these two worlds, except Louis Vuitton,” explains Michel Navas, the famed Master Watchmaker at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, in a conversation with DA MAN during the event. “It took a long time because within the same amount of space, which is the iconic Tambour shape, we hold two worlds. At 42.5mm in diameter and 12.35mm in thickness, within the same shape, room and dimensions as other Spin Time Air watch but with the electronic world within. That was the ultimate challenge.”
Navas mentioned that the development and production of Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum and all of its standout features took quite a long time—approximately two years. And speaking of features, of particular note were the unique revolving cubes marking the hours which light up on demand, thereby adding a fourth dimension to the iconic Louis Vuitton complication.
He also pointed out that this is a new milestone for Louis Vuitton. “It is a hybrid watch. Similar to other engineering innovations in the world like hybrid cars, we now create hybrid watches. When we mix the worlds of high watchmaking and high electronics, we enjoy highlights such as seeing the watch light up on demand when you push the crown,” Navas exlained.
He then continued: “The watch is very interesting because of the contrast between black and yellow, which is reminiscent of the yellow stitching on Louis Vuitton’s leather goods. You can find Louis Vuitton’s entire
DNA contained within the watch. In the jumping cubes, 12 LEDs are directed onto each of the cubes, so you have an immersion of light when you activate it. The cubes are sand-blasted on the faces and polished on the angles. It’s a brilliant idea to have this kind of lighting on a daring watch.”
Aside from the Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum, there’s also the Tambour Curve GMT Flying Tourbillon that combines a GMT complication with a flying tourbillon in the shape of Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s signature V. In a way, this contemporary timepiece is a true ode to the timeless art of travel.
Furthermore, there was also the completely transparent Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Sapphire along with the true technical and artistic feat that is the Tambour Moon Mysterious Flying Tourbillon. These shared the stage with the Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève, which brings to life a timepiece that has been reinvented down to the last detail—from the calibre and materials to the caseband, strap and folding clasp. Assembled and finished by hand, it bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève at 6 o’clock.
Last but not least, there’s the Voyager
Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon which brings together two worlds of truly modern design and time-honed craftsmanship, with a Flying tourbillon escapement and a striking mechanism—the minute repeater.
To top it all off, several of these timepieces have been specially flown into Bangkok for this special event, allowing for some of
Louis Vuitton’s most valuable timepieces to be observed up close. It’s safe to say that this edition of the High Watches Collection event shed a new light on the ever-expanding watchmaking prowess of Maison Louis Vuitton.
“It is a hybrid watch. Similar to other engineering innovations in the world like hybrid cars, we now create hybrid watches”