Louis Vuitton began a collaboration with independent watchmakers in 2024. The brand chose Akrivia's Rexhepi as its first partner, and for the second project, they invited none other than Kari Voutilainen.
Edited by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2025 issue of Kronos Japan]
Louis Vuitton collaborates with independent watchmakers
Jean Arnault, currently the director of Louis Vuitton's watch division, is a self-confessed watch enthusiast. He has reorganized the company's watch collection and begun to develop a collection that "watch enthusiasts can choose from." A symbol of this is collaboration with independent watchmakers. Following Akrivia in 2024, the brand chose Kari Voutilainen as its new partner. The resulting product is the "LVKV-02 GMR 6," a GMT watch with an independently adjustable hour hand.
"We started talking to Louis Vuitton three years ago, and after looking at what we could do, we decided that a travel watch would be ideal," Voutilainen explains.
The exterior design was based on the new Escal, which has a case inspired by a Louis Vuitton trunk. Voutilainen equipped it with a movement that features a home time display at 6 o'clock and allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently by pushing the crown.
Voutilainen already has a movement with a second time zone display, but this is a completely different watch. A Voutilainen staff member involved in the design explained, "There wasn't enough space to install a GMT mechanism as a module." Even though the base movement of the Vingt-8 was repurposed, the company went to the trouble of designing a new integrated movement specifically for the limited edition of five pieces, so they're really committed.
The miniature painting on the dial and ratchet wheel gives the impression of a collaboration. The former uses 28 colors and takes approximately 32 hours per watch, while the latter takes approximately 16 hours just to paint, with five firings taking approximately 8 hours. The colors, reminiscent of the masterpiece "Escale World Time," certainly make this watch feel like a "travel watch."
While the details are impressive (which is to be expected when you consider the collaboration between Voutilainen and Louis Vuitton), what surprised me was the extraordinary level of perfection of the watch itself. The Escale collection, on which the watch is based, exudes the weightiness of a luxury watch. This model, which uses heavy tantalum for the case, further emphasizes its individuality (weight). One touch and you'll know that this watch is made by Louis Vuitton, not Voutilainen.
Unfortunately, this limited edition of five pieces sold out immediately. The suggested retail price is 8052 million yen, but considering the effort that went into creating the movement and case, it seems reasonable. However, a source said, "This project is solely to demonstrate Louis Vuitton's stance."
Hopefully, this wonderful and ambitious project will continue in the future!
The second collaboration between Louis Vuitton and an independent watchmaker. Based on Voutilainen's Vingt-8, this watch features an independent hour hand adjustment mechanism and a home time display. Its finish is outstanding, as is its overall cohesiveness as a wristwatch. Manual winding (Cal. GMR 6). 18,000 vph. Power reserve of approximately 65 hours. Tantalum and platinum case (40.5mm diameter, 12.54mm thick). Water resistant to 30m. Limited to five pieces worldwide. List price: ¥80,520,000 (tax included). Sold out.
