At Louis Vuittons atelier in Geneva, a different approach to horology is underway.
In an industry dominated by brands with decades, sometimes centuries, of history, it hasn’t always been easy for Louis Vuitton to formulate a watchmaking philosophy that resonates with today’s customers while forging a different path. Yet somehow the luxury powerhouse manages. Rather than rely on heritage or convention, the French maison freed itself from the shackles of tradition and embarked on a never-ending quest for innovation, creativity, spontaneity—a journey, if you will, of what is the ultimate Louis Vuitton timepiece. And knowing how much travel, or at least the idea of travel, resonates so deeply within the brand, it’s not the least bit surprising that some of its most monumental contributions to modern watchmaking have been in world timers.
THE CREATIVE CENTRE
Compared to its trunks and leather goods division, the watchmaking side of Louis Vuitton is a youngling at best, but seen from another perspective, it’s remarkable what the department has achieved in just 16 short years. Louis Vuitton entered the watchmaking arena in 2002 with its first and most iconic timepiece, the Tambour. Meaning drum in French, in reference to its unusual case shape, the Tambour was a unisex timepiece made in numerous sizes and iterations. It was Louis Vuitton’s only watch for 12 years until the maison made the move in 2014 to expand its timepieces offering.
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Esquire Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Esquire Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE MILD HANGOVER
Hangovers get a bad rap. We know. If you’ve gotten this far in the magazine, you’ve surely divined that we’re mildly hungover most of the time.
AN ELECTRIC FUTURE
Polestar, the minimalist electric Swedish car brand, turns the voltage up on its competition.
LET'S GET REAL (ESTATE): LUXURIOUS LONDON
Royalty, shopping, the best tea and scones the world has to offer, and a lifestyle worthy of what you're working for. Here's why London is ripe for your next investment
NEXT UP....ZARAN VACHHA
As Co-founder of the events and talent agency Collective Minds and Managing Director of the Mandala Masters, Zaran Vachha is definitely not new to the culture scene, but he's certainly shaping what comes next.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED...
I DON’T WEAR SOCKS except in January.
The Body Is a Language
A bad handshake is such a turnoff; we feel irked when someone rolls their eyes at us; we can't stop pacing when we're nervous-ever wondered how certain body language has the power to change how we feel instantly? We explore why.
EYE OF THE TIGER
Hailing from Singapore, Japan and Brazil respectively, Evolve Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes Darren Goh, Hiroki Akimoto and Alex Silva are proof that the ring demands as much from mind as it does from matter.
THE ADONIS COMPLEX
With the rise of superhero culture making a return and bringing with it the celebration of the classically ‘masculine’ body type, can men really overcome the pressure to conform when culture keeps getting in the way?
FUNNY BUT TRUE
A comedian, an iconic Singaporean, and now a man much evolved. After overcoming two years of pandemic limbo, unlocking career milestones one after another and undergoing a life-defining physical transformation, Rishi Budhrani is ready to emerge into the world renewed-and anew.
LIKE NO OTHER
With its horological triumphs, Hermès has truly come into its own as a watchmaking maison. In this exclusive interview with Esquire Singapore, CEO of Hermès Horloger, Laurent Dordet sheds some light on his timepieces' rising stardom and the importance of being different.
