A NEW BEAT

Following the 20th anniversary of the Tambour, Louis Vuitton turns a new page on its sporty watch icon with a markedly more sophisticated expression.

- KC YAP

SINCE ITS LAUNCH in 2002 with an instantly recognisable drum-shaped design and sporty edge, Louis Vuitton's Tambour has grown from a single, bold statement of high watchmaking to a full-fledged series made up of over 20 models and the whole nine yards of complications. In 2023, at the ripe age of 21 years, the Tambour makes its beautillion debut in a slimmer, sleeker form characterised by exceptional finish, casual elegance, and sculptural, fluid lines.

"With the same quest for modernity, elegance and functionality that the Maison has been built on for more than 160 years, Louis Vuitton elevates its watch offer with an unprecedented level of sophistication, on each and every element of the new watch," says Louis Vuitton watch director Jean Arnault.

Easing us into its latest chapter in simple, elegant style, the new Tambour comes in two steel versions designed for daily wear. A tone-on-tone model with silver-grey dial or one with a contrasting deep blue dial are the options for the introduction of the Maison's reborn emblematic collection, an enriched Tambour with two additional firsts for Louis Vuitton - an integrated bracelet and an exclusive new and beautifully crafted automatic movement designed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.

Design flows in every line of the new Tambour, from its 40mm unisex case right down to the integrated bracelet in stainless steel, a first for Louis Vuitton. It's a blend of robustness and fluidity, with its slim, curved links providing a close and comfortable fit on the wrist to rival the softest leather strap.