What we know
Hot off the presses from Geneva, Louis Vuitton has just announced a handful of new models, including this curious addition to the Voyager line: the Voyager Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Plique-à-jour. The dial of this new model combines the elegant and modern layout of the Voyager with a decidedly traditional application of plique-à-jour enamel and is intended to evoke the look of a stained glass window. To top it all off, we see the Seal of Geneva, also known as the Seal of Geneva, within the frame of the dial Geneva hallmark, We proudly anchor the model in its home in Geneva while signaling a special focus on craftsmanship and fine workmanship.
This first paragraph basically just expanded on the naming convention of the Voyager Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Plique-à-jour. As a physical product, this Voyager model is 41 mm wide, has a platinum case with a thickness of 11.68 mm, offers 50 meters of water resistance and has a transparent caseback through which you can see the back of the skeletonized white gold movement.
Not surprisingly, this movement, the LV 104, was developed by La Fabrique du Temps and features a fully skeletonized architecture that places the time display in a small dial at 12 and the flying tourbillon in a balanced position at six. Thanks to the many V shapes in the design, the tourbillon completes one revolution every minute and the movement offers a power reserve of 80 hours at a frequency of 3 Hz.
But as impressive as the movement may be, the real achievement of this extremely high-quality creation lies in the dial, which features an incredibly elaborate and intricate application of a particular type of enamel work (the “plique-à-”). jour” mentioned in the name). This stained glass effect is made possible by this special enameling process, which allows for a specific color palette while maintaining partial transparency. Originating in the Byzantine period, plique-à-jour enameling is a process in which the enamel is suspended between the frame of the clockwork. It is plastered without any plate or support and is therefore translucent like glass. The end result consists of five to six different enamel applications, each with its own firing process. All in all, according to LV, it takes around 100 hours of work for each dial.
Although the prices aren’t publicly available (yes, I asked), I think it’s safe to say that you can expect a large number with a lot of zeros.
What we think
See, even though I’m certifiably not really a flying tourbillon guy, I’m pretty impressed with the enamel work on this watch. In some ways, especially in the transparency of the application, it reminds me of the micro details of the Cartier Crash Tigrée (which, by the way, is also a “not for me” watch that I was deeply impressed with). Maybe, like me, you’re largely indifferent to most six-figure watches and their accompanying tourbillons, but take a closer look at the image below.
I find it hard to ignore the texture and shine of the enamel, especially in areas where the transparency allows a view of the movement underneath. You won’t see that on a cheeky Seiko or Tudor dive watch – I love them as much as I do.
This uniquely enameled Voyager is another exercise in developing the breadth of LV’s expertise in haute horlogerie and is another tour de force from a brand that continues to operate at the high end by combining both traditional craftsmanship and the unexpected Uses creativity.
The basics
Brand: Louis Vuitton
Model: Voyager Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Plique-à-jour
Reference number: Q7EBBY
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 11.68mm
Case material: Platinum and white gold
Dial color: Blue enamel, skeletonized
Water resistance: 50 meters
Bracelet/Bracelet: Calfskin, blue
The movement
Caliber: LV 104
Features: Hours, minutes, flying tourbillon
Energy reserve: 80 hours
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 21,600 revolutions per hour
Jewels: 17
More details: Certified Geneva Hallmark (also known as the Geneva Seal)
Prices and availability
Price: Available upon request
For more information, visit Louis Vuitton online.
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Louis Vuitton is part of the LVMH Watch Group. Although LVMH Luxury Ventures is a minority investor in HODINKEE, we maintain complete editorial independence.
