By ASHOK SOMAN

We recently reported on Louis Vuitton’s Tambour watches in gold and steel. These are joined by the star offering of 2009 from the luxury goods icon, the Tambour Mysterieuse. Still in the instantly recognizable tambour drum shape, this fully mechanical watch trades in the stuff of horological magic.

Based on the mysterious movement clocks created by the famed Jean-Eugene Robert Houdin in the 19th century, Louis Vuitton’s new calibre LV115 is a near transparent wonder. This calibre is actually the first from Louis Vuitton to have been created, developed and assembled entirely in the brand’s workshops in Switzerland. 

With an 8-day power reserve, there is nothing superfluous about this mechanical movement and its robustness stands in stark contrast to its ephemeral nature. As in the general principle of mysterious movements, the hour and minute hands actually sit on mobile sapphire discs that are totally transparent.

The small seconds display is at 9 o’clock in the visible section of the movement, dial-side. Like the tourbillon from Louis Vuitton, this watch is fully customizable and every piece has the potential to be unique, largely, at no extra cost.

Louis Vuitton