These Sublime New Louis Vuitton Watches Belong in a Museum—Take a Close-Up Look

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

While you've probably noticed that we write a lot of stories about handbags, shoes, and jewelry here at Who What Wear, we also have a lot of love for another sometimes-overlooked accessory: watches. In fact, in January we dubbed 2023 "the year of the watch," thanks to the category's soaring popularity. I also recently chronicled the watch collections of everyone's favorite British royals, including Kate Middleton and Princess Diana. 

Now, I'd like to bring your attention to Louis Vuitton's trio of new High Watchmaking timepieces. The mini works of art are so intricately and beautifully designed that they belong in a museum. In a press release, the brand gave us some context for the Tambour Opera Automata: "Paying tribute to the Sichuan Opera’s Bian Lian, the virtuoso decoration of this specific watch presents a traditional mask that comes to life and changes expression on demand." Scroll down to preview the new watch as well as the two other sublime styles. 

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Tambour Opera Automata
(Image credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

Louis Vuitton explained in a statement that the Tambour Opera Automata's "artistic performance [is] driven by a virtuoso movement entirely conceived, developed, and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton [in Switzerland]." 

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Tambour Fiery Heart Automata
(Image credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

"The aesthetic of Louis Vuitton’s latest creation hides a piercing intellect, reminding us that nulla rosa sine spini—there is no rose without its thorn," the brand stated. 

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Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon "Poinçon de Genève”
(Image credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

Believe it or not, this watch was made from a single block of synthetic sapphire. 

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Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon "Poinçon de Genève”
(Image credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

These new yellow and green transparent watches are "the first of their kind in the history of watchmaking to bear the Geneva Seal." How impressive is that? 

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Erin Fitzpatrick
Senior News Editor

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.