Cover Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton
Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton
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The new Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton is a brilliant testament to the French maison’s watchmaking savoir-faire
A globally renowned fashion house coveted for its monogram bags, Louis Vuitton takes its commitment to the finest in craftsmanship seriously, an approach that is also extended to its timepieces.
Astutely avoiding the notion of a fashion watch, Louis Vuitton showcases its haute horlogerie ambition with its own dedicated watch department overseen by Jean Arnault, the youngest heir to the LVMH empire, and master watchmakers Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini. It also owns La Frabrique Du Temps in Meyrin, Switzerland, a watch manufacturing facility founded by Navas and Barbasini that makes the high concept movements populating its watches.
Read more: Louis Vuitton reimagines the Tambour watch
Above The Voyager Skeleton features the first Louis Vuitton's automatic time-only skeleton movement
The Voyager Skeleton features the first Louis Vuitton's automatic time-only skeleton movement
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The new Voyager Skeleton is yet another brilliant testament to the manufacture’s savoir-faire. For one, it is Louis Vuitton’s first automatic time-only skeleton movement, developed in collaboration with Le Cercle des Horlogers in Neuchatel.
Named the LV60, it is designed to be the horological equivalent of contemporary architecture with the “LV” initials taking centre stage as the movement bridges that are visible on the dial. Though aesthetically sparse, the movement is ultimately the showpiece of this wristwatch, which echoes the dynamic beauty of the billowing glass structure of the Fondation Louis Vuitton designed by Frank Gehry.
Hence, no effort is spared in its finishing and decoration, even in areas that may not be so easily seen. The rotor bridge features a discreet monogram while the barrel ratchet wheel has been open-worked to spell “Louis Vuitton”.
The rhodium-plated components are decorated with fine linear graining on the top surfaces, chamfered around the edges, and sandblasted on the undersides. The bidirectional micro-rotor is made of highly durable tungsten, positioned off-centre to maximise the visual beauty of the movement.
Housing the LV60 is a platinum case, a first for the Voyager. Platinum is prized for its lustrous shine, the surfaces mirror-polished for extra brilliance. The sides are satin-finished for nice contrast. Another interesting aspect of the case, which is shaped like a cushion, is its monocoque construction where the case middle and bezel are one.
The monochromatic appearance is broken up by the blue minute ring and a pair of blue hands. Thanks to the openness of the watch, one can discern whether the watch is fully charged or otherwise by looking at the mainspring—tightly coiled means it’s at full power while a looser coil means it needs to be winded. The maximum power reserve is 48 hours.
The Voyager Skeleton is paired with either a navy blue alligator or taurillon strap with platinum ardillon buckle. The words “Limited Edition” are engraved on the sapphire caseback to indicate its exclusive production of only 150 pieces. This truly exceptional watch further consolidates Louis Vuitton’s standing as a haute player to keep a close watch on in the industry.
