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De Bethune & Louis Vuitton: A Watchmaking Revolution

Louis Vuitton and De Bethune redefine luxury watchmaking with the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project, blending heritage, innovation, and the art of travel.

Por: Raquel Seijas
LOUIS VUITTON DE BETHUNE
The LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius is housed in Louis Vuitton’s iconic Tambour Taiko case / Photo Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton and De Bethune have joined forces to present the third chapter in Louis Vuitton’s ongoing exploration of independent watchmaking: the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project.

This groundbreaking collaboration, created in close partnership with Master Watchmaker Denis Flageollet, co-founder of De Bethune, represents a rare fusion of historical inspiration and modern innovation.

The project brings together two remarkable achievements: a contemporary reinterpretation of the 18th-century Sympathique mechanism and a unique version of De Bethune’s iconic DB25 GMT Starry Varius.

This partnership not only celebrates the art of watchmaking but also underscores Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fostering creativity and mentorship within the industry.

The case features platinum lugs, hand-polished to perfection, and a sandblasted bezel with the twelve Louis Vuitton letters / Photo Louis Vuitton

The Vision Behind the Collaboration

Jean Arnault, Director of Watches at Louis Vuitton, describes the collaboration as a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. “In these collaborations, we give the watchmaker the freedom to define their own vision of time—and their own vision of Louis Vuitton,” he explains. “It’s a dynamic that brings a lot of creativity and new ideas to both sides.”

Denis Flageollet, renowned for his precision chronometry and material science advancements, is one of horology’s most respected yet discreet figures. His collaboration with Louis Vuitton began in 2021, driven by a shared admiration for French horological heritage and a commitment to preserving the craft.

The LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius case is polished titanium treated for a deep, vibrant blue hue / Photo Louis Vuitton

The Tambour Case: A Signature of Elegance and Innovation

The LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius is housed in Louis Vuitton’s iconic Tambour Taiko case, crafted from polished titanium and treated with De Bethune’s proprietary thermal oxidation process. This results in a deep, vibrant blue hue, a signature of De Bethune’s technical expertise.

The case features platinum lugs, hand-polished to perfection, and a sandblasted bezel with the twelve Louis Vuitton letters, offering a subtle yet distinctive signature. The hand-finished crown, adorned with the Monogram Flower, serves as a functional link to the Sympathique system, reinforcing the watch’s connection to its companion clock.

The movement is regulated by a blued-titanium balance wheel and a silicon escape wheel, ensuring exceptional stability and precision / Photo Louis Vuitton

The Movement: Precision Engineered for the Modern Traveler

At the heart of the LVDB-03 lies the De Bethune Calibre DB2507LV, a manual-winding movement with a five-day power reserve. Designed for the modern voyager, it features:

  • Hours, minutes, and a second time zone (GMT)
  • Day/night indication
  • Jumping date
  • Sympathique function for automatic rewinding and resetting

The movement is regulated by a blued-titanium balance wheel and a silicon escape wheel, ensuring exceptional stability and precision. Each piece undergoes rigorous quality control, personally overseen by Denis Flageollet.

The Dial: A Celestial Masterpiece

The dial is a harmonious blend of art and science, inspired by De Bethune’s celestial motifs. A unique star map subtly reveals the letters “LV,” symbolizing the collaboration. The hand-set white-gold pins and gold leaf application create a luminous, three-dimensional effect.

A spherical day-and-night indicator, based on De Bethune’s patented moon-phase construction, completes the dial’s intuitive and elegant design.

The LVDB-03 is offered with two interchangeable straps:

  • A blue fabric strap with grey edging for a contemporary look

  • A cognac alligator strap for classic refinement

Both straps are secured by a blued titanium pin buckle, engraved with the Louis Vuitton/De Bethune signature, a testament to the collaboration’s exclusivity.

The Sympathique Clock: A Marvel of Mechanical Synchronization

The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius is a one-of-a-kind reinterpretation of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s 18th-century invention. The clock features:

  • 763 components

  • 11-day power reserve

  • Automatic winding and resetting of the wristwatch

  • Adjustable orientation for versatile display

The clock’s docking interface is concealed beneath a rose gold dome, engraved with the constellation of Hercules—a nod to Louis Vuitton’s founder. When the watch is placed in its cradle, the Sympathique system automatically synchronizes the two timepieces, offering unparalleled convenience and precision.

Photo Louis Vuitton

The Art of Travel: A Unique Vision

The LVDB-03 project is a celebration of travel, embodied in its bespoke trunks and immersive dioramas created by illustrator François Schuiten. These miniature landscapes, hand-engraved by master artisan Michèle Rothen, evoke the spirit of exploration and the cyclical nature of time.

With only two complete sets (each including a clock and wristwatch) and ten additional wristwatches, the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project is a rare and coveted masterpiece. It represents not just a watch, but a statement on innovation, imagination, and the enduring art of travel.

The LVDB-03 project is a celebration of travel, embodied in its bespoke trunks and immersive dioramas created by illustrator François Schuiten / Photo Louis Vuitton

Q&A About the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project

  • What is the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project? A limited-edition collaboration between Louis Vuitton and De Bethune, reimagining the 18th-century Sympathique mechanism for modern travelers.
  • Who is Denis Flageollet? A Master Watchmaker and co-founder of De Bethune, known for his precision and innovative approach to horology.
  • How many LVDB-03 sets are available? Only two complete sets (clock + watch) and ten additional wristwatches, making it extremely exclusive.
  • What makes the Sympathique function unique? It automatically winds and resets the wristwatch when placed in its companion clock, ensuring perfect synchronization.
  • What inspired the LVDB-03’s design? The art of travel, celestial motifs, and a shared passion for horological heritage and innovation.

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