Louis Vuitton x De Bethune
The House continues its journey into independent watchmaking with the 'LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project', a highly exclusive collaboration between Louis Vuitton and De Bethune. Incarnating the shared creative vision of Jean Arnault, Director of Louis Vuitton Watches, and Master Watchmaker Denis Flageollet, co-founder of the renowned Swiss workshop, this singular endeavor unfolds through two extraordinary modular timepieces.
A Singular Expression of Two Houses
Among the creations born from this collaboration, the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius embodies the perfect fusion of the two Houses. Its emblematic Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko case debuts a first-ever finish in De Bethune's signature blue, while the open case back reveals a remarkable caliber attesting to the pinnacle of horological savoir-faire, signed 'Louis Cruises with Denis'.
Manufactured and finished at La Fabrique des Boîtiers, the Tambour Taiko case combines a sculptural silhouette and blued construction achieved through De Bethune's proprietary thermal oxidation process. A bezel engraved with the twelve Louis Vuitton letters, platinum lugs, and a detailed crown enrich the extraordinary display of virtuoso craftsmanship.
Calibrated to the Art of Travel
Meticulously assembled at the De Bethune workshops, the DB2507LV caliber reflects Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel through a GMT complication. The integration of an ingenious Sympathique function enables seamless interaction between wristwatch and clock, accented by intricate traditional decorations.
Cosmos and Craft
Inspired by nature and the cosmos, Denis Flageollet’s creative universe resonates with Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel, giving form to a dial shaped by mutual pursuit of perfection and an exacting attention to detail.
The LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius asserts the bold codes of the Tambour, characterized by its iconic numerals and indexes. At its center, De Bethune’s hallmark Starry Sky is infused with Louis Vuitton's spirit, realized through hand-applied white gold pins and gold leaf tracing the House's constellation.
A Singular Interpretation of a Watchmaking Icon
Rooted in the legacy of marine chronometers and the tradition of sympathetic clocks, the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius emerges as a unique reinterpretation of this historic watchmaking icon.
Imagined as a dialogue between people, ideas, and centuries of horological tradition, this marvel of horology automatically rewinds and synchronizes the paired watch when placed within its cradle, regulating it according to its superior precision.
From Illustration to Masterpiece
Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel takes shape through the imagination of acclaimed Belgian illustrator François Schuiten, unfolding as an evolving dreamscape where time appears circular and each moment of the day reveals a unique story. To bring this 19th-century diorama-inspired scene to life across three 5N rose gold rings, master engraver Michèle Rothen undertook the monumental task of translating Schuiten’s drawings into over a meter of hand-engraved surface, sculpted line by line with a traditional burin and chisel.
An Ecosystem of Horological Excellence
The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius represents a feat of rare ambition, supported by the union of esteemed artisans and exceptional savoir-faire within a vast collaborative ecosystem. Its De Bethune–manufactured movement delivers an impressive 11-day power reserve, while the design reflects a perfect fusion of the codes of both Houses, notably the Tambour Taiko. Set on a titanium base adorned with marquetry of blued meteorite, the clock can be positioned in multiple orientations, referencing the adjustable presentation of early marine chronometers.
A Perfect Synchrony
At the heart of the Sympathique system lies a discreet docking interface concealed beneath a domed cover engraved with the constellation of Hercules, a subtle nod to the astrological sign of Louis Vuitton’s founder. Placed within its cradle, the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius engages the clock via its crown, resetting its display every two hours to maintain the highest precision while the watch is wound, keeping both in perfect synchrony over the course of ten hours.
Time, Travels in Louis Vuitton
Crafted and assembled by master artisans at the House's storied trunkmaking workshops of Asnières, two dedicated trunks accompany the creations. Each is custom-built in polished titanium, chosen for its rarity and technical challenge, and finished with heat-blued titanium corners that underscore the key elements of the collaboration while establishing a refined dialogue between time and travel.
