Hello everyone, and welcome back to IWS! On the occasion of the sixth edition of LVMH Watch Week, Louis Vuitton, the dominant brand within the group, also presented some really interesting novelties that once again show the maison’s strong desire to position itself among the best watch brands, through a great commitment to research and development.
Two new Tambours named Convergence were introduced this year, featuring the display of the time through small windows; a true vintage touch that we believe will surely be appreciated by enthusiasts.
Let’s look at the two newly unveiled models.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence in Rose Gold
The first version of the Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence that we are going to talk about today is a real gem that can be expressed in one word: simplicity. There are those who say that simple things are also the most complex to make, and they may be right, because in this watch, study and research represented everything.
The 37mm diameter case, completely made of rose gold, thus follows today’s trend in which size wants to be perfect for both men and women, just as in the past.
What fascinates the most when looking at this timepiece is its over-the-top elegance. It could not be otherwise given the complication that pays homage to montres à guichet, that is, watches made in the 1920s and 1930s in the Art Deco style, in which the time was visible through a small window (guichets), under which discs rotated. This is made more poetic and refined by the mirror polish on the entirely hand-crafted top, and the satin finish on the side of the case that gives it an even thinner appearance than the stated 8mm thickness.
Through the sapphire crystal case back it is possible to see the latest masterpiece from La Fabrique du Temps that animates this timepiece, the automatic LFT caliber MA01.01. Inside we also find a set of top-notch finishes on virtually any surface, and a rose gold rotor also finished that, as it rotates, provides 45 hours of power reserve.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence in platinum and diamonds
In this second version, the triad La Fabrique du Temps (movement manufacture), La Fabrique des Boîtiers (case manufacture) and La Fabrique des Arts (manual finishing department), have created something beyond the single meaning of watch.
With this new Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence, in platinum and diamonds, the tradition of the maison, in which attention to detail and refinement of materials have always played a key role, even before the production of manufacture watches, is expressed throughout. Aesthetic beauty meets technical and mechanical movement, flowing into an object that is as extremely refined and luxurious on the outside as it is on the inside.
The 37-mm-diameter case is made entirely of platinum, and on the top, below the guichets, through which the time can be read thanks to two rotating discs also made of platinum, are 795 diamonds set using a technique known as snow-setting, in which stones of different sizes are set so close together and so precisely that the mounts are invisible.
Snow-setting must be done by hand, by a highly experienced gemologist who can combine stones of various sizes so that the final effect is a continuous, sparkling surface. Stones of as many as 7 different sizes are used, and 32 hours are required to create such a masterpiece.
Enlivening this timepiece, we find the same caliber used in the version we mentioned earlier, reflecting the quality expected of a Louis Vuitton watch.
Price and availability
The starting price for these two timepieces is EUR 37,500 for the rose gold model and EUR 68,500 for the platinum variant, respectively.
Conclusions
With these two new models, Louis Vuitton is sure to make waves. The Maison has been investing considerable resources in research and development in recent years, and these timepieces are the result. Strong attention to detail, elegance and refinement are now becoming staple items, with the goal of one day counting Louis Vuitton among the watchmaking greats. Which one did you like best?
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