Louis Vuitton Tambour; Highlights Of An Imposing History

The Tambour was introduced only 18 short years ago, in 2002, yet its impact has been profound. For Louis Vuitton, it was the watch that put them firmly on the map as being a watchmaking ‘maison.’ The way that the Tambour did this is almost unprecedented, as the model proved to be one of the most versatile designs in the history of watchmaking. It could just as easily be turned into a display of technical excellence, featuring complex mechanical movements, as housing the latest technology as a state-of-the-art smartwatch.

2002 – A Grande Debut
The Tambour was designed unlike any other watch. Its name, meaning drum in French, was a direct reference to the unique shape of its case. In it, the Louis Vuitton name was engraved, carefully matching up each letter with the hour’s position. Relatively short lugs, also in a style of their own, looked not only great but also ensured excellent wearing comfort. It was also Louis Vuitton who proved that a beautiful shade of brown, on a dial with a sunburst finish, would give a spectacular result that is both understated as well as distinct. The first collection featured not only a time-only model, but also a chronograph, powered by Zenith’s legendary El Primero movement.

2004 – Wind in the sails
Louis Vuitton has also, for a very long time, been active in the world of sailing. The Louis Vuitton Cup, which was held from 1983 until 2017 and after that renamed Louis Vuitton Challenger’s Trophy, was a series of races in which the winner won the right to become the challenger for the America’s Cup. Regatta timers have always had a strong position within the Tambour collection, with the first debuting in 2004. This automatic watch featured a chronograph that counts towards the start of the race, with the first five minutes in blue, and the five remaining in red. These are displayed on the subdial and at the center so that they can be read at a glance while the crew is making the final preparations for the boat to race.

2004 – A bonafide diving watch
It is not only above water that the Tambour feels at home, as with the Tambour Diving did, Louis Vuitton also created a bonafide diving watch. Not only did it meet all the requirements that a diver can look for in such a watch, like a turnable diving bezel placed under the sapphire crystal and 300-meter water resistance, it also showed the versatility of the design. Where the first Tambour watches highlighted the elegant side of the watch, was it now turned just as easily into a so-called ‘tool-watch.’ Throughout its history, this would also proof to be the true strength of the Tambour, as it could effortlessly take on different roles and look great in all of them.

2004 – Luxury reinvented
Who would think that Louis Vuitton intended to keep the Tambour more a mainstream icon is quite mistaken, as they proved already in 2004. While the brand was continuing to strengthen its production capabilities, it also launches the Tambour Monogram Tourbillon. This is the very first watch in the Louis Vuitton collection with this exclusive regulating device. What makes it even more remarkable is the concept that Louis Vuitton developed for it. The Tambour Monogram Tourbillon was customizable with, among others, the option for owners to include their diamond-set monogram on the dial (where you see in the image above the LV-logo). This not only extended the customization service that Louis Vuitton offered since its beginning for its leather goods to watchmaking, but also clearly showed that the legend of the Tambour was not just in the making, but off to a flying start.