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Louis Vuitton has added ‘watch designer’ to the impressive list of achievements of famous architect Frank Gehry.
New Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Poincon de Geneve Sapphire Frank Gehry.
New one Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire Frank Gehry is the result of a collaboration with Gehry and Louis Vuitton, which adds to its watch Manufacturing high-end watches collection.
The stunning 48.3mm flying tourbillon watch features a clear sapphire case, dial, crown, lugs and hands. Its transparent structure allows the wearer an uninterrupted view of the flying tourbillon, which is produced and assembled at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
When creating the new watch, Gehry drew inspiration from his work at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and the Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul. For example, the dial is reminiscent of Gehry’s rippled glass structure atop the Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul. Like the structure that appears to float above the roof of the building, the dial on the watch is also intended to evoke the airy atmosphere of the maritime world.
“My inspiration comes from the sea, fish, boats, the maritime world because they represent the concept of movement, mobility, speed,” said Gehry. “I like to express movement, transferring this energy and dynamism into static materials.”
Louis Vuitton explains that its artisans crafted the watch’s crystal from a 200 kg block of sapphire. With 250 hours of work required to complete just the dial, this project is one of the most undertaken by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
The watchmaker’s dial artisans used medical tools to create asymmetrical shapes and curves that resemble many of Gehry’s architectural projects.
The Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire was the first watch with a sapphire dial and case bearing the Poinçon de Genève seal. It is equipped with the manufacturer’s LFT MM05.01 flying tourbillon. Thanks to the all-sapphire case and dial, the rose gold bridge movement is fully visible. (See below for full specifications.)
Price: 935,000 USD.
Specifications: Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire Frank Gehry
(Limited edition of 5 pieces)
Case:
• Sapphire case, lugs and crown. Frank Gehry’s signature is engraved on the case back • Diameter 43.8 mm. Thickness 11.27 mm. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Water resistant to a depth of 30 meters
Dial:
• Sapphire, hand-polished and matte, inspired by the architectural works of Frank Gehry
• Sapphire hands, contoured with HyCeram Luminex (luminescent pigment)
Move:
• Caliber LFTMM05.01: hand-wound mechanical movement developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton
“Poinçon de Genève” certification, displayed on the central bridge Functions: airframe tourbillon, hours and minutes, Monogram floral tourbillon cage rotating in one minute160 power reserve 80 hours21,600 vibrations per hour17 jewels
Strap: White taurillon leather strap with rose gold folding clasp.
Price: 935,000 USD.
