Louis Vuitton has introduced the LVKV-02 GMR 6, a travel-inspired watch, made in partnership with Finnish Master Watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. It’s the second release in the brand’s ongoing series supporting independent horology.
Both Louis Vuitton and Mr. Voutilainen’s independent atelier share a notable history, having been established in 2002. While Louis Vuitton debuted its iconic Tambour watch that year, Mr. Voutilainen laid the foundation for his workshop in Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland. Their combined expertise has resulted in a timepiece that blends Mr. Voutilainen’s revered watchmaking techniques with Louis Vuitton’s dedication to artistic excellence.
The LVKV-02 GMR 6 takes inspiration from Louis Vuitton’s heritage in luxury travel. Based on the latest Escale design from 2024, the 40.5mm case is crafted from pure tantalum – a rare, hard, corrosion-resistant metal – with platinum elements enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The lugs of the watch echo the riveted brass brackets of Louis Vuitton’s signature trunks, seamlessly integrating the maison’s design language into this horological creation.
The original Escale World Time model from 2014 was known for its dial marked with 24 city names, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern travelers. The LVKV-02 GMR 6 builds on this tradition with an intricate blend of brushed and polished surfaces, achieving a balance between function and artistry.
The dial is a testament to both brands’ expertise. Manufactured in four parts, the dial features an engraved guilloché pattern executed at the Voutilainen workshop, paying homage to Louis Vuitton’s famous ‘Damier’ motif.
Miniature painting, a signature technique of La Fabrique des Arts Louis Vuitton, adds another layer of depth. Artisans hand-paint 28 colors across the dial, a process requiring 32 hours of meticulous work and eight hours of firing. The second time zone subdial features a sun and moon indicator, painted in Louis Vuitton’s iconic saffron and blue, further reinforcing the brand’s design language.
At the heart of the LVKV-02 GMR 6 is the GMR 6 movement, developed in Mr. Voutilainen’s workshop. Designed with a second time zone function, it caters to modern travelers who require precision across multiple time zones. The retrograde power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock ensures reliability, while the open case back offers a glimpse into the finely crafted movement, adorned with traditional Côtes de Genève finishing and perlage decoration.
The dual escapement wheels provide direct impulse to the balance, enhancing efficiency and ensuring long-term stability. Mr. Voutilainen’s use of a rare balance-spring system, combining a Phillips overcoil with a Grossmann curve, further improves accuracy, making this timepiece a technical marvel.
Each LVKV-02 GMR 6 watch is presented in a handcrafted Louis Vuitton travel trunk, made at the French brand’s historic Asnières workshop. The design mirrors the intricate dial decorations, with artisans hand-painting each trunk to match the watch’s aesthetic. Every trunk is marked with the edition number, adding to its exclusivity.
Mr. Voutilainen, who also serves as a jury member for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for independent creatives, highlights the importance of this collaboration in supporting independent watchmaking. The proceeds from this project contribute to the Prize initiative, fostering innovation and craftsmanship within the industry.
The LVKV-02 GMR 6 is a tribute to the art of horology, designed for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate precision, craftsmanship, and a rich storytelling heritage. By bringing together two renowned names in their respective fields, this collaboration conveys the best of both worlds: technical mastery and artistic expression.
