- Louis Vuitton has update its Tambour watch (originally launched in 2002
- The watch was inspired by the house of luggage and the brand’s famous monogram
- Now it’s back, featuring a quartz movement and polished stainless steel case
- The new Tambour also features a canvas dial and monogrammed straps
A many-headed hydra of a luxury mega brand, the watch side of Louis Vuitton’s business can sometimes fly under the radar.
Especially when compared to the celeb-catnip luggage, the awards show-defining harnesses, the high-high-high-end streetwear and, of course, the monogrammed wireless headphones (do you dare wear them on the bus?), but on your radar their watches should be.
An updated version of the classic Tambour, the first watch LV ever released back in 2002, inspired by the house luggage and that famous monogram that you might have seen around a bit, the Tambour Icons collection is smart, simple and both beautiful to look at and beautifully made.
Featuring a quartz movement (they’re back!) and a round polished stainless steel case with bold lettering that is water resistant to 100m, the canvas dials, in both classic Monogram (28, 35 and 39.5mm options are available) and Damier Graphite (41.5mm), are handmade and placed by some very clever experts at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Geneva. They have even patented a strap system that means it’s easier than ever to swap one leather strap for another.
Despite having less than two decades in the game, LV has built an impressive stable of house watches, going so far as to release its own take on a tourbillon, that much-mythologised complication that is both exceedingly difficult to make and very expensive. While the Tambour Icon keeps it simple when it comes to what’s inside the case, its clean design, quality build and wealth of customisation options makes it a great choice for a daily-use luxury watch.
Also, it means that you can match your watch to your LV trunk, which is a big power move.
