It is rare for watches to be given the catwalk treatment at major runway shows, but Louis Vuitton showed how being part of the LVMH fashion empire could benefit its increasingly respected watchmaking arm.
Louis Vuitton’s new Tambour watches were used to accessorise at the fashion house’s Paris Fashion Week show.
They were created under the direction of Arnault, Louis Vuitton’s watch director, and the expertise of Le Fabrique du Temps manufacture.
Although the Tambour watches were shown alongside other Louis Vuitton accessories, the company points out that they will stand and fall on their horological merits, and not as an extension of the wider artistic direction of the maison.
“No more corners will be cut, in terms of finishing or movements… the full package will be thought through, and all of our timepieces will be high watchmaking,” Mr Arnault tells WatchPro.
As the new Tambours arrive in boutiques globally this autumn, Louis Vuitton’s horological journey enters a promising new chapter.
With potential changes to the distribution strategy on the horizon, the watch not only redefines the brand, but also solidifies its position as a distinguished player in the world of high-end watches.
Encapsulating the essence of the piece, Mr Arnault says: “This isn’t just a new collection. It is a new strategy for the next twenty years of Louis Vuitton watchmaking.”
Louis Vuitton was not the only LVMH brand showcasing high end accessories at Paris Fashion Week.
Model Zenya was also in the city to help Bulgari promote its latest jewellery lines.
