Cover Louis Vuitton x De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project features the Louis Vuitton Tambour case and a celestial dial recalling De Bethune’s DB25 GMT Starry Varius
Louis Vuitton x De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project features the Louis Vuitton Tambour case and a celestial dial recalling De Bethune’s DB25 GMT Starry Varius
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Louis Vuitton and De Bethune join forces on two extraordinary projects, a wristwatch and a clock
A legacy trunk maker and one of the 21st century’s most innovative watchmakers have teamed up, and the result is the first truly magnificent collaboration of the year. Louis Vuitton partnered with De Bethune on the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project, comprising a GMT wristwatch and a Sympathique clock that also serves as a sort of watch winder for the former. This ambitious undertaking, which began in 2022, was overseen by master watchmaker Denis Flageollet, co-founder of De Bethune, and took Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Taiko case to fit De Bethune’s Calibre DB2507LV, a manual-winding movement operating a second time zone, a jumping date, and a day/night indicator.
And then there is the companion LVDB-03 Sympathique clock. Conceived by Abraham-Louis Breguet, it was invented to automatically wind and synchronise a portable watch with a more precise master clock. Only five were made at that time. The most current version is also limited—just two as a set with the wristwatch, although 10 more wristwatches are available on their own.
Read more: LVMH Watch Week 2026: the best new watches
Above Louis Vuitton x DeBethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project in blued titanium case with blue fabric strap
Louis Vuitton x DeBethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project in blued titanium case with blue fabric strap
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First, let’s take a look at the wristwatch. The case is Louis Vuitton’s very own Tambour Taiko, inspired by the Japanese drum, in blued titanium with platinum lugs. The hand-finished crown bears the familiar monogram flower, but this is not the only clue for the casual observer that this is a Louis Vuitton. The dial, which nods to Flageollet’s fascination with the cosmos, features a constellation of stars, crafted in gold, that conspicuously spells out the letters “LV”.
Around the dial is a date track indicated by a pointer hand as well as a spherical day/night indicator in 5N rose gold (for day) and flame-blued steel (for night) that completes two full rotations in 24 hours. The latter also displays the second time zone.
See also: Audemars Piguet unveils its first set of new novelties for 2026
Above The open caseback reveals the manual-winding Calibre DB2507LV with the distinctive De Bethune’s delta-shaped bridge
The open caseback reveals the manual-winding Calibre DB2507LV with the distinctive De Bethune’s delta-shaped bridge
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The manual Calibre DB2507LV, fitted with a blued titanium balance and a balance spring with a flat terminal curve, offers a five-day power reserve. Additionally, it comes equipped with a Sympathique function for automatic winding and reset when placed on its companion clock.
Above The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius clock in titanium
The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius clock in titanium
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Speaking of which, the clock with a titanium stand features a 5N gold dome with hand-engraved Hercule constellation by Swiss artisan Michèle Rothen. Beneath this dome is the docking interface for the wristwatch that engages the clock through the crown.
Rothen also hand-engraved the scenes of a train, an African savanna, and sherpas ascending a mountain, around the dial. They are based on drawings by Belgian illustrator François Schuiten, who was briefed to create something inspired by the art of travel.
The clock is powered by a manual movement developed by De Bethune and features an 11-day power reserve,
Above Hand-engraved scene depicting an African savanna
Hand-engraved scene depicting an African savanna
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Last but not least, the watch is presented in a special trunk crafted by the master artisans in Asnières. The outer case is titanium, while the interior reveals a luxurious lining of Alcantara and grey leather.
Above The custom trunk that the LV x De Bethune watch comes in
The custom trunk that the LV x De Bethune watch comes in
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
