Louis Vuitton unveiled the Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Kaleidoscope, a flying tourbillon model that boldly expresses a kaleidoscope with a monogrammed flower motif. This timepiece combines the traditional technique of croisonnay enamel with the artistic reinterpretation of monogrammed flowers, and will be sold as a limited edition Japan.
Infinite monogrammed flowers
Louis Vuitton unveiled a new version of its iconic Tambour watch: the Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Kaleidoscope.
This masterpiece embodies the Maison’s exquisite savoir-faire, combining a kaleidoscope dial by a master enamelsmith with a complication movement by Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking atelier La Fabrice du Temps Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton “Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Kaleidoscope”
This product joins the lineup as a new model of the Tambour Moon, the 15th anniversary model of the iconic watch “Tambour”. The Tambour Moon features a side case with a constricted center crescent moon motif, and the 18K rose gold case also inherits its hourglass-like form. Automatic (Cal.LV81). 28 stones. 28,800 vibrations per hour. Power reserve about 40 hours. 18KRG case (diameter 42.0mm, thickness 11.5mm). Water resistant to 50m. Price inquiry.
The smooth arcing case of this work becomes a “peeping point”, and the first thing that jumps out at you is the painting-like dial that boldly expresses a kaleidoscope. Its geometric pattern consists of Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogrammed flower, which is precisely symmetrical with the traditional cloisonnay enamel technique.
It is a kaleidoscope that has been known in Japan for a long time, but it actually originated in Scotland. Michel Navas, head of the watchmaking atelier, says that he wanted to express a modern kaleidoscope in a watch, while the use of this motif in a limited edition model of Japan is “also a subtle homage to the culture Japan of origami, etc., where single motifs are often repeated.”
The decoration of the croisonnay enamel this time is in charge of Anita Porsche, an enamel craftsman who has worked on many Louis Vuitton high watches. Watchmakers draw patterns with gold thread to create fine partitions, into which enamel is poured, a modern homage to traditional techniques.
In addition, the kaleidoscope brings depth to the geometric pattern by reflecting light, and in this work, this depth is created by using blue and purple with gradual changes in vividness. In addition, the colorful expression by the master craftsman reproduced a kaleidoscope-like feeling of infinite expansion.
Purple is considered the most difficult color in enameling, and a perfect balance between the components is required. However, the creation of the kaleidoscope dial required multiple colors of vivid purple, so it took nearly two weeks to complete.
In order not to spoil the kaleidoscope visuals, symbolic indices such as Arabic and Roman are not used in this work. Instead, a technical approach to legibility is achieved by giving the dot index to the center of the evenly spaced monogram flower.
The movement is powered by the flying tourbillon calibre LV81. Designed and assembled by La Fabrice du Temps Louis Vuitton, the movement adds a touch of dynamism to the kaleidoscope dial with its exquisite tourbillon beating.
In addition, the regulator is placed at 6 o’clock and a “V” named after Gaston-Louis Vuitton is placed in the center of the carriage to make its rotation even more impressive.
Through this creation, Louis Vuitton has succeeded in redefining non-standard complication watches while preserving the Maison’s aesthetics, which are both traditional and innovative.
In the caseback of this work, you can enjoy the delicate decoration on the back of the movement through the sapphire crystal. The decoration is reminiscent of the striped pattern of the canvas “Trianon” trunk made by Louis Vuitton in 1858.
Contact info: Louis Vuitton Client Service Tel. 0120-00-1854
