Louis Vuitton has announced the launch of a new watch, the Voyager Skeleton, an exclusive edition limited to 150 pieces.
©Laziz Hamani
Voyager Skeleton
It is a journey through time.
Drawing on the technical expertise of openwork (skeleton) movements such as the Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève and the Voyageur Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève, the Voyageur Skeleton invites you on a journey through time and the miniature world of mechanical watch movements.
Crafted to embody the Louis Vuitton style codes, the Voyageur Skeleton embodies the Maison's design codes. The unique Voyageur case houses a mechanical masterpiece: the Caliber LV 60. This skeleton movement evokes the dynamic and purposeful architecture of some of Louis Vuitton's flagship stores and the dreamy forms of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Conceived in a skeletonized form to fit within the Voyageur case, the LV 60 is a piece of modern architecture in watch form. The movement's bridges, while essential structural components, are designed to embody Louis Vuitton rather than simply function as mechanisms. This transforms what would otherwise be immovable elements into dynamic, aesthetically pleasing engineering forms, like the wind-blown sails of Frank Gehry's Fondation Louis Vuitton.
©Piotr Stoklosa
Mechanical Minimalism
The Maison's first limited-edition automatic skeleton movement, the LV 60, was designed and developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and produced in collaboration with Le Cercle d'Orroger, the workshop in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Expressing the architectural aesthetic at the heart of Louis Vuitton, the LV 60 is a showcase of mechanics and design, enhanced by style that embodies the quintessential Louis Vuitton, embodied in leather goods, trunks, and even architecture.
©Piotr Stoklosa
All bridges and plates on the LV 60 have been skillfully pared down to the bare essentials necessary for structural integrity, a process of reduction undertaken with aesthetics in mind. The bridge shaped like the LV logo is characterized by its geometric lines and distinctive linearity, while incorporating several decorative elements, such as the rotor bridge, which is subtly adorned with the Monogram flower. Another striking detail is the bold openworked barrel ratchet wheel that spells out "LOUIS VUITTON."
©Piotr Stoklosa
This careful attention to detail ensures that the watch face perfectly complements the near-monochrome aesthetic of the rhodium-plated movement components. A deep blue ring frames the mechanical components, bearing the minute indexes, while blued hour and minute hands ensure optimal legibility.
©Piotr Stoklosa
The Calibre LV 60 is not simply a stylistic achievement. The bridges shaped like the LV logo required far more intricate decoration than traditional full-size bridges. The bridges, with their finely detailed, straight woodgrain details on the upper surface and their chamfered corners and sandblasted undersides, create a mechanical form of impeccable beauty from every angle.
©Piotr Stoklosa
To maximize the transparency of the LV 60, the movement is equipped with a tungsten micro-rotor adorned with a rhodium-plated white gold plate. The micro-rotor is intentionally off-center to maximize visibility of the LV logo bridge and the internal mechanism. Despite its modest size, the micro-rotor winds the mainspring efficiently and effortlessly in both directions thanks to the use of a bidirectional winding rotor.
©Piotr Stoklosa
The transparency of the movement reveals its essential mechanism: how power travels from the mainspring at 5 o'clock, through the gear train, to the balance wheel and escapement at 12 o'clock. Notably, the exposed barrel also serves as an indication of the power reserve. Because the spring is visible, its transparency allows one to estimate the remaining running time. A tightly wound spring indicates a fully wound state, while a loosely wound spring that allows light to shine through indicates that the spring needs to be wound.
The Purity of Platinum
The mechanical sophistication of the Caliber LV 60 is contrasted with the elegant simplicity of the Voyager watch case. First introduced in 2016, the Voyager is available exclusively in Louis Vuitton's High Watchmaking range. With an instantly recognizable silhouette, the Voyager's elegant and unique form is neither round nor square, making it an unmistakable Louis Vuitton design.
©Laziz Hamani
The Voyager Skeleton debuts in platinum. It is a rare and precious alloy with a purity of 95%, hence the hallmark "Pt 950" engraved on the caseback. Prized for its eternal brilliance and luminous hue, platinum is one of the densest alloys used in watchmaking. Naturally, this noble metal is reserved for exclusive timepieces at Louis Vuitton, such as High Watchmaking and Limited Editions.
©Laziz Hamani
The Voyager case features a monocoque construction, with the bezel integrated into the middle of the case. Its nuanced front, featuring scalloped curves and a meticulously sculpted design, combines contrasting surface finishes. Achieving this in platinum presents a significant challenge, due to the alloy's machining characteristics, which challenge even the most skilled craftsmen. A mirror-polished surface extends from the lugs down both sides of the case, terminating in matte satin-finished surfaces at 3 and 9 o'clock. Satin-finished surfaces continue above, to the satin-finished bezel surrounding the dial, and below, to the flanks of the case. The Voyager Skeleton will be released in an exclusive edition* limited to 150 pieces.
*Sold out as of April 2023
©LOUIS VUITTON
"Voyager Skeleton"
Platinum Limited Edition
Limited to 150 pieces (sold out)
Price: 7,392,000 yen (tax included)
https://tinyurl.com/mb5rcx7v
■Platinum case with satin-finished sides, polished top and sapphire crystal
■Case diameter: Width 41 mm, diagonal diameter 43.7 mm
■Thickness: 9 mm
■ Blue minute ring with concentric circles
■ Automatic mechanical skeleton manufacture movement, hours and minutes
■ Caliber LV 60, designed and developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton
■ Tungsten micro-rotor decorated with rhodium-plated white gold
■ Number of components: 120
■ Number of jewels: 29
■ Power reserve: 48 hours
■ Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
■ Water resistance: 50 m
■ Sapphire crystal case back engraved with "LIMITED EDITION"
■ Strap: Available in navy blue alligator leather or Taurillon leather
■ Platinum ardillon buckle
About Louis Vuitton
編集部
©Laziz HamaniVoyager Skeleton
It is a journey through time.
Drawing on the technical expertise of openwork (skeleton) movements such as the Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève and the Voyageur Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève, the Voyageur Skeleton invites you on a journey through time and the miniature world of mechanical watch movements.
Crafted to embody the Louis Vuitton style codes, the Voyageur Skeleton embodies the Maison's design codes. The unique Voyageur case houses a mechanical masterpiece: the Caliber LV 60. This skeleton movement evokes the dynamic and purposeful architecture of some of Louis Vuitton's flagship stores and the dreamy forms of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Conceived in a skeletonized form to fit within the Voyageur case, the LV 60 is a piece of modern architecture in watch form. The movement's bridges, while essential structural components, are designed to embody Louis Vuitton rather than simply function as mechanisms. This transforms what would otherwise be immovable elements into dynamic, aesthetically pleasing engineering forms, like the wind-blown sails of Frank Gehry's Fondation Louis Vuitton.
©Piotr StoklosaMechanical Minimalism
The Maison's first limited-edition automatic skeleton movement, the LV 60, was designed and developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and produced in collaboration with Le Cercle d'Orroger, the workshop in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Expressing the architectural aesthetic at the heart of Louis Vuitton, the LV 60 is a showcase of mechanics and design, enhanced by style that embodies the quintessential Louis Vuitton, embodied in leather goods, trunks, and even architecture.
©Piotr StoklosaAll bridges and plates on the LV 60 have been skillfully pared down to the bare essentials necessary for structural integrity, a process of reduction undertaken with aesthetics in mind. The bridge shaped like the LV logo is characterized by its geometric lines and distinctive linearity, while incorporating several decorative elements, such as the rotor bridge, which is subtly adorned with the Monogram flower. Another striking detail is the bold openworked barrel ratchet wheel that spells out "LOUIS VUITTON."
©Piotr StoklosaThis careful attention to detail ensures that the watch face perfectly complements the near-monochrome aesthetic of the rhodium-plated movement components. A deep blue ring frames the mechanical components, bearing the minute indexes, while blued hour and minute hands ensure optimal legibility.
©Piotr StoklosaThe Calibre LV 60 is not simply a stylistic achievement. The bridges shaped like the LV logo required far more intricate decoration than traditional full-size bridges. The bridges, with their finely detailed, straight woodgrain details on the upper surface and their chamfered corners and sandblasted undersides, create a mechanical form of impeccable beauty from every angle.
©Piotr StoklosaTo maximize the transparency of the LV 60, the movement is equipped with a tungsten micro-rotor adorned with a rhodium-plated white gold plate. The micro-rotor is intentionally off-center to maximize visibility of the LV logo bridge and the internal mechanism. Despite its modest size, the micro-rotor winds the mainspring efficiently and effortlessly in both directions thanks to the use of a bidirectional winding rotor.
©Piotr StoklosaThe transparency of the movement reveals its essential mechanism: how power travels from the mainspring at 5 o'clock, through the gear train, to the balance wheel and escapement at 12 o'clock. Notably, the exposed barrel also serves as an indication of the power reserve. Because the spring is visible, its transparency allows one to estimate the remaining running time. A tightly wound spring indicates a fully wound state, while a loosely wound spring that allows light to shine through indicates that the spring needs to be wound.
The Purity of Platinum
The mechanical sophistication of the Caliber LV 60 is contrasted with the elegant simplicity of the Voyager watch case. First introduced in 2016, the Voyager is available exclusively in Louis Vuitton's High Watchmaking range. With an instantly recognizable silhouette, the Voyager's elegant and unique form is neither round nor square, making it an unmistakable Louis Vuitton design.
©Laziz HamaniThe Voyager Skeleton debuts in platinum. It is a rare and precious alloy with a purity of 95%, hence the hallmark "Pt 950" engraved on the caseback. Prized for its eternal brilliance and luminous hue, platinum is one of the densest alloys used in watchmaking. Naturally, this noble metal is reserved for exclusive timepieces at Louis Vuitton, such as High Watchmaking and Limited Editions.
©Laziz HamaniThe Voyager case features a monocoque construction, with the bezel integrated into the middle of the case. Its nuanced front, featuring scalloped curves and a meticulously sculpted design, combines contrasting surface finishes. Achieving this in platinum presents a significant challenge, due to the alloy's machining characteristics, which challenge even the most skilled craftsmen. A mirror-polished surface extends from the lugs down both sides of the case, terminating in matte satin-finished surfaces at 3 and 9 o'clock. Satin-finished surfaces continue above, to the satin-finished bezel surrounding the dial, and below, to the flanks of the case. The Voyager Skeleton will be released in an exclusive edition* limited to 150 pieces.
*Sold out as of April 2023
©LOUIS VUITTON"Voyager Skeleton"
Platinum Limited Edition
Limited to 150 pieces (sold out)
Price: 7,392,000 yen (tax included)
https://tinyurl.com/mb5rcx7v
■Platinum case with satin-finished sides, polished top and sapphire crystal
■Case diameter: Width 41 mm, diagonal diameter 43.7 mm
■Thickness: 9 mm
■ Blue minute ring with concentric circles
■ Automatic mechanical skeleton manufacture movement, hours and minutes
■ Caliber LV 60, designed and developed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton
■ Tungsten micro-rotor decorated with rhodium-plated white gold
■ Number of components: 120
■ Number of jewels: 29
■ Power reserve: 48 hours
■ Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
■ Water resistance: 50 m
■ Sapphire crystal case back engraved with "LIMITED EDITION"
■ Strap: Available in navy blue alligator leather or Taurillon leather
■ Platinum ardillon buckle
About Louis Vuitton
編集部
