Louis Vuitton has finally joined the club of a very few watch manufacturers that bear the “Poinçon de Genève” certification reserved exclusively for watch movements made in the Canton of Geneva and featuring the highest levels of finishing and decoration.
Louis Vuitton Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” is its first timepiece that comes with the Geneva Seal which is visible from the front side of the watch. This exceptional timepiece also boasts a Flying Tourbillon.
All watch parts are decorated with a meticulous attention to detail. The first thing that catches attention is the V of the tourbillon cage at the 6 o’clock position which is completely block-polished and has a mirror-like shine. The V motif is inspired by the Louis Vuitton’s “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” motto which is literally translated as “Fly, Sail, Travel”.
Louis Vuitton Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Watch Front View
All the bridges on both faces are beveled. The bridges at the back of the movement are all horizontal satin-brushed and even parts which are hidden by other elements and invisible are circular-grained or finished by the master watchmaker.
Louis Vuitton Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Watch Back View
The impeccable caliber LV104 mechanical movement has been developed entirely from scratch by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. The skeleton movement seems to be suspended in mid-air by invisible forces, as if floating inside the case. The manually winding movement is built on 17 jewels and oscillates at the semi-rapid frequency of 21,600 oscillations per hour (3 Hz).
Interestingly, almost every part of the mechanism can be seen. Even the dial is partly transparent, thus allowing an amazing look at the mainspring that holds 80 hours of power reserve. In fact, it can go to 100 hours, but that is unofficial information.
Louis Vuitton Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Watch Manufacturing
Although the skeleton structure is integrated in the brand’s watchmaking culture, the work on this exquisite watch is more than impressive especially considering the very slim profile of the watch’s case of only 9.1mm. Furthermore, everything has been achieved with a minimalist approach with only 168 components used for the construction.
Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” by Louis Vuitton is housed in Platinum 950 case which alternates between a mirror polished finish and a circular satin-brushed one. The case measures 41mm in width and 43.7mm diagonally.
The new Louis Vuitton Flying Tourbillon is rated as water resistant to 50 meters (about 165 feet). The watch is attached to a navy blue alligator leather strap with calf lining, fitted with a folding buckle in 18-karat white gold.
