Since Louis Vuitton debuted its 40,000 sq ft la Fabrique du Temps, flanked by timekeeping greats in the Swiss capital of Geneva just sixteen months ago, the fashion house evolved in a slightly different light and became an undeniable contender on the world’s finest stage. But for the individuals who remain protractedly skeptical and still half expect to see hasty, fashion-inspired timepieces that prize elegance over engineering, this latest novelty is for you.
The Louis Vuittion Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” timepiece dwells in the certitude of its watchmaking ascendance, bearing the prestigious accolade that has since 1886 come to determine and define the highest standards of watchmaking and workmanship in the industry. The independent institution is regulated by the laws of the Geneva canton, which examines the manufacturing and finishing of all the components that go into the makings of a timepiece from the case, workings and power reserve to its precision and technical choices.
While the Parisian house is practiced in skeletonisation, there was never one executed to such a remarkable degree of litheness. The skeleton stalwart is powered by the hand-wound LV104 calibre with an 80-hour power reserve developed entirely from scratch at la Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in which the tourbillon appears to be magically suspended in mid-air. The manufacture has adopted a minimalist approach to construction that comprises a mere 168 components.
Dressed to kill, each component of the watch has been well attended to; designed and decorated with an enviably honed eye of the aesthete we’ve come to know of Louis Vuitton. The dial is made of smoked sapphire, achieved by metallisation. The brand new 950 platinum, uniquely shaped case measuring 41 mm in diameter brandishes the mesmeric, finely structured movement with vertically positioned wheels.
The V of the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock is entirely block-polished to a mirror-like shine. The bridges at the back of the movement are all horizontal satin-brushed, as are the bridges on both faces beveled and their flanks thoroughly satin-brushed. Even their invisible side, hidden by other elements, are circular-grained or finished by the watchmaker while the Flying Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève case alternates between a mirror polished and circular satin-brushed finish, creating a sublime play on dimension and texture.
A milestone by any standards, the Geneva Seal is worn proudly on its face and on the whole, it’s a feat of architectural ingenuity well worth beholding.
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