With its distinguished character, the Tambour eVolution opens an unprecedented chapter in Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking story. A new masculine interpretation of the Tambour, this timepiece with taut lines and a high-tech silhouette – encased using the innovative material “Black MMC”. The Tambour eVolution is a strong aesthetical departure from the classic tambour, rewriting the codes of Louis Vuitton’s iconic watch.
Designed for the modern, urban, globetrotting man, the Tambour eVolution is the definitive evocation of everyday performance. Available in a GMT three-hand version and a GMT chronograph, in steel or pink gold, with a day/night indicator, the Tambour eVolution displays its modern sensibilities entirely in line with Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking traditions, which have always combined a sense of elegance, a passion for travel and a quest for precision.
Design: a new page in an on-going story
More than a change, an evolution. Since its creation in 2002, the Tambour watch has been distinguished by its uniquely shaped case, eight-sided crown and side engraving with the twelve letters of Louis Vuitton. The Tambour eVolution is ushering in a new era of confident modernity. Its lines are edgy, less rounded and highly masculine.
The eight-sided crown has made way for an ergonomic screw crown with nine grooves for enhanced grip. Featuring a Black MMC flat-edged insert with the Monogram logo, this new crown is flanked by a large “V” on the edge of the case, as if Louis Vuitton’s twelve engraved letters had taken flight and merged into a single concentrated letter.
Restrained and competitive, the Tambour eVolution draws on the energy of its dual-material assembly: a steel case and Black MMC bezel or a Black MMC case and pink gold bezel. The highly architectural design offers a rarely equalled feeling of power and technical expertise. Its imposing diameter, 43mm for the GMT three-hand version and 45mm for the GMT chronograph version, underscores this strong identity. This beautiful presence is paired with perfect ergonomics when worn.
The change can also be seen on the dial, in black color. The GMT’s deep red arrow-shaped hand indicating the time in the second time zone adds a bold, instantly visible and energising touch; as does the circular day/night indicator positioned at six o’clock and the wide date window at three o’clock. Another new feature that highlights its personality: the Tambour eVolution is the first watch from Louis Vuitton created solely with a metal strap.
Technique: performance materialised
The Tambour eVolution is high-tech not only at first glance, but also to its core. The use of Black MMC – a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) – propels the Tambour eVolution into the world of very high technology. Used primarily in the aerospace industry and the highly competitive world of Formula 1, this composite material presents exceptional hard-wearing and lightweight qualities.
Created using a complex chemical process, Black MMC has been used to manufacture the bezel in the steel version and in the design of the case in the pink gold version. The combination of Black MMC with satin steel or pink gold gives the Tambour eVolution a dual identity combining tradition and modernity. The Tambour eVolution’s unique technical expertise can also be seen on its dial with three different concentric surface treatments: blueing around the edge, a satin sunray and then a matte opaline finish in the centre. The rhodium-plated and finely polished applied figures and indexes have been subtly designed at a diagonal seven-degree angle to optimally capture the light. This dial is also visible through a double-sided anti-reflective sapphire glass.
In terms of calibre, the GMT day/night version and the GMT day/night chronograph are respectively fitted with LV71 and LV92 movements. These two high-precision self-winding mechanical Manufacture movements have a 42-hour power reserve and beat at a rate of 28,800 oscillations per hour. The oscillating weight with the Louis Vuitton signature that can be seen through the transparent back is cut out to reveal the LV logo.
Tambour eVolution GMT steel
– 43mm diameter
– Steel case with Black MMC bezel and crown insert
– Black dial with applied figures and indexes
– Steel bracelet
– LV71 calibre automatic movement with oscillating weight featuring the LV logo
– GMT function with Day/Night indicator, date
– 42 hour power reserve
– Oscillations 28,800 per hour
– Rubies: 25
– Water-resistant to 100 metres
– Transparent back
