WORDS: BILL PRINCE. PHOTO: DAVID PARFITT (WATCH)H ur
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WAT C H
Hour
hand?
Pa h!
Louis Vuitton is transforming timekeeping
with the Tambour Spin Time AirR^
eading the time from two or
more hands tracking a series
of numerals, battens or dots
arranged around the perimeter of
a dial is one way of doing it. But,
thank the horological heavens,
it’s not the only approach watchmakers have
taken. Historically, “jumping hour” timepieces
did away with the need for the “small” hand
by adding a numerical disc viewable through
an aperture in the dial that “jumped” forward
every 60 minutes. For its Tambour Spin
Time model, however, Louis Vuitton took an
entirely different route: using a series of 12
cubes that rotate to display the change of
hour (minutes are read in the conventional
manner via a central dial). Now ten years old,
the technology – developed in-house at Louis
Vuitton’s own Geneva atelier, La Fabrique Du
Temps – has been given a fresh, ahem, spin,
with the Tambour Spin Time Air, named for the
way in which the hub and spoke appearance
of the movement appears to “ oat” above the
clear case back. All three models in the men’s
collection feature 42.5mm white gold cases and
are tted with blue or black alligator straps.LISTEN UP... LV STYLE
Away from haute horlogerie,
Louis Vuitton isn’t neglecting its
Horizon smartwatch customer:
It’s recently announced its first
foray into the world of audio with
wireless earphones developed
in partnership with Master &
Dynamic and available in four
colourways, reflecting its iconic
monogram design. The charging
case has been designed to
mimic the shape of the Horizon’s
Tambour-inspired case.