Travel and culture are at the core of Louis Vuitton's DNA, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of its watchmaking odyssey last year. In 2021, the Maison took a step forward in earning due recognition for its expertise by receiving the GPHG Audacity Prize for its Tambour Carpe Diem with striking jack automaton. This year, the automaton is switching things up with the Tambour Opera Automata inspired by the Sichuan opera. This creation by the Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton took more than two years to complete and resulted in several patents. Pressing the pusher sparks a sequence of five animations performing a 16-second show: the enamel mask changes expression repeatedly as the dragon lifts its head to reveal the jumping hour, while its tail indicates the retrograde minutes. The spirit of Haute Horlogerie is also reflected in the exceptional decoration of the dial by enamel specialist Anita Porchet and of the case by engraver Dick Steenman.
Tambour Opera Automata
Case: rose gold, ruby-set pushers and crown, sapphire back, water-resistant to 30m
Dimensions: 46,8mm
Movement: mechanical hand-wound (Caliber LV 525, 100h power reserve), 426 components
Dial: enamel and hand-painted miniature, set with rubies, carved dragon and gourd
Functions: jumping hours, retrograde minutes, power-reserve indicator, five animations
Bracelet: black alligator leather, rose gold double folding clasp
Price: on request
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