BOUTIQUE
LOUIS VUITTON
Escale Spin Time Tourbillon
Central Blue
This timepiece features the unusual Louis Vuit-
ton Spin Time display that is comprised of
twelve rotating cubes, one for each hour marker,
with the minutes indicated via a central hand
mounted on a rotating ring surrounding the
flying tourbillon. Previous versions of the Escale
Spin Time provided a dial full of color as each
hand-painted cube displayed a full palette of
bright colors.
This newest Escale combines the Louis
Vuitton central flying tourbillon escapement
now combined into the Spin Time, offered with
cubes in varying shades of blue in a more subtle
execution than its harlequin predecessor.
As each hour passes, one of the twelve blue
cubes rotates on its axis either displaying the
hour or one of the twenty-four square geomet-
ric flags, painted by hand using pad printing on
each of the twelve cubes.
Developed in partnership with the
watchmakers at its partner La Fabrique du
Temps, Louis Vuitton drew inspiration from the
House’s archives by using signature “V” logo
that Gaston Vuitton invented in 1901 to decorate
the famous Steamer Bag.
At 41 mm in diameter and 12.8 mm thick,
the Escale Spin Time’s case is made of satin-
finished titanium with a bezel, lugs and crown
in platinum. This combination of central flying
tourbillon and the Spin Time display is another
first in watchmaking and highlights Louis
Vuitton’s commitment to haute horology.
Price: $142,000
IW RATING
Design: 8 (out of 10)
Amazing and instinctual layout adapted to high
watch making codes.
Innovation: 9
Flying tourbillon and rotating cube display
combine for a first in watch making.
Finissage: 8
Dial details and case finishing are both superb.
Legibility: 8
Odd man out display makes current hour stand
out.
Rarity: 8
Few will likely be made but no specific limit
mentioned.
Value: 7
Better than usual inventory control bolsters
long-term value.
Overall iW rating: 48 (out of 60)
34 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2018