Louis Vuitton Tambour; Highlights Of An Imposing History, Part II

In the previous article, it already became clear that the Tambour was off to a brilliant start. It quickly turned into a design icon within the collections of Louis Vuitton and showed its versatility. This became even more evident in the years to follow, as the watch was fitted with impressive complications and innovative technology.

2009 – Tambour Spin Time
Those who thought that all complications had already been invented where proved wrong in 2009 when Louis Vuitton launched the Tambour Spin Time. This watch was fitted with a regular minute hand, but twelve cubes indicated the hours. When the full hour was reached, the Tambour Spin Time put on a little show, as the cube showing the passing hour turned back to neutral, while that of the coming hour would reveal its number. With this patented device did Louis Vuitton flex its considerable horological muscles and put the unique complication on the map, as this particular watch would mark the beginning of an entire collection of them.

2011 – It gets complicated
With the Tambour Minute Repeater GMT showed Louis Vuitton in 2011 that the Tambour case was also the perfect canvas for more complex watches. While the minute repeater is one of the more revered classic complications, did the brand give it a modern twist by revealing part of the cams and levers that make it work through the sapphire crystal dial. Aware that for most of its clients, the world is their oyster, did Louis Vuitton also incorporate a second time zone complication, located at the center of the dial, adding even further to the complexity of this watch.

2012 – Let’s spin the sails
In 2012 did Louis Vuitton merge their passion for sailing with the innovative Spin Time complication into one, with the Tambour Spin Time Regatta. By doing so, they created one of the most novel Regatta-watches on the market. The five-minute countdown was shown by means of five turning blocks on the dial, which are activated by the chronograph function. They replace the ten-minute countdown, which was common before the sport catamarans with AC45 wing sails arrived. These impressive boats competed in the Louis Vuitton Cup, to which this watch is also dedicated. The dial is made of blue sapphire crystal, allowing one to admire the inner workings of the innovative complication below.

2017 – Digital style
That the Tambour is one of the most versatile designs in the world was underscored in 2017 when Louis Vuitton launched the Tambour Horizon. It combined smartwatch technology with the instantly recognizable and timeless style of the brand. On the wrist, it keeps you connected to the world, while the dial can be changed to match your outfit or mood. Most of all does the Tambour Horizon shows the extreme versatility of the Tambour-design, which can be just as easily be a high-tech smartwatch as it can be a mechanical haute complication.