Once again, Louis Vuitton has pushed the boundaries of creativity by fusing two areas of expertise. Its Escale Spin Time watch incorporates the hour display principle of the Spin Time movement into the Escale case, revisiting the theme of miniature painting that makes Escale dials so special.
This time, colour is used all over the watch, right down to the movement, in this reinterpretation.
With every passing hour, the Escale Spin Time’s dial changes appearance without losing any personality, which it expresses through the 24 geometric square flags that have been carefully rendered by hand on each of the 12 cubes. This was achieved using the process of pad printing, which consists of transferring inks contained in depressions in the image, or cliché, using a silicone rubber pad, one colour at a time.
In 2010 Louis Vuitton unveiled its Tambour Spin Time GMT, which introduced a playful and innovative way to display the hours. Based on a system of 12 rotating cubes powered by an in-house movement (LV119), it revolutionised the jumping hours principle.
Louis Vuitton went even further in 2014, launching an entirely different type of watch with a unique shape, the Escale case inspired by the House’s iconic trunks. The innovative design showcased fascinating functions and a colourful dial inspired by the practice of customising trunks using bands of colour, initials and coats of arms, painted on by hand. This theme, which inspired the designs of the Escale Worldtime and Escale Time Zone dials, was also reinterpreted on the dial of the new Escale Spin Time.
Escale Spin Time
With a diameter of 41mm, and a 11.2mm thickness, the Escale Spin Time case is forged from brushed titanium with a bezel, horns and crown in 18-carat white or pink gold.
Highlighted by an elegant coloured flange, the slender bezel offers a generous view of the dial, for optimal visibility of the hour display and the graceful dance performed by the rotating cubes. On the reverse side, the sapphire case-back reveals an aluminium disc coupled with an oscillating weight that rotates precisely around a large, boldly outlined “LV” in frosted glass.
The automatic movement LV77 Calibre, developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, powers the hours and minutes with Spin Time display functions. Besting at 28,800 oscillations per hour, it offers a 42-hour power reserve.
The watch is paired with a grey alligator strap lined with yellow rubber-effect calfskin, and fastened with a folding buckle in 18-carat white or rose gold.
