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Earlier this week, Louis Vuitton presented its latest horological marvels—three new rare automata pieces—Tambour Bushido Automata, Tambour Taiko Galactique, and Escales Autour du Monde: Escale en Amazonie pocket watch. The timepieces follow the success of the GPHG-winning Tambour Carpe Diem.
Tambour Bushido Automata
Housed in an 18K pink gold case measuring 46.8mm x 14.4mm, the Tambour Bushido Automata is the spiritual successor to the Tambour Carpe Diem watch from 2021. At rest, the watch conceals its timekeeping function. But press the button at 2 o'clock, and a symphony of movement is set in motion: the rose gold helmet’s yokai (made with rose gold featuring ruby-set eyes) shifts, revealing a jump hour display; a katana slides into view to indicate the minutes; the samurai’s eyes animate, with the left changing from rounded to pointed LV monogram flower; and the mouth opens to display the word “Bushido” in Japanese.
For the dial, engraver Dick Steenman sculpted the Samurai’s menpo (facial armor), engraved in white gold using the bas-relief technique, finished in layered red enamel and treated with a special antique-effect coating. The dial’s golden tone was achieved through the paillonné enamel process, where silver leaf is layered under translucent enamel, and topped with fondant enamel for a shiny appeal. Mount Fuji is rendered in cloisonné at 10 o’clock, and the entire 18K pink gold case is accented with red enamel over 200 hours of engraving.
Powering this dramatic display is the hand-wound LV 525 calibre, composed of 426 parts with a whopping 100-hour power reserve—indicated by a sun rising above Mount Fuji.
Finished with a red calf leather strap, the Tambour Bushido Automata is priced at INR 7,95,00,000.
Tambour Taiko Galactique
For something equally complex but more playful, the Tambour Taiko Galactique shifts the setting from Japan to outer space. This interstellar automaton doubles as a minute repeater with cathedral gongs and comes in a white gold and titanium case measuring 46.7mm x 14.6mm.
When activated through the slide, the minute repeater and automaton come into action. With the beginning of the chime, an astronaut raises his arm to plant an LV flag on the moon, a satellite spins its antenna and solar panels and its thrusters rotate, and shooting stars oscillate as the sun rotates. The vibrant show is brought to life through a combination of enamelling techniques—paillonné, grisaille, champlevé, and miniature painting—totalling over 300 hours of work.
Beneath the surface, the LFT AU14.02 calibre, with 459 components, powers the timepiece with a 100-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with Côtes de Genève with brushed and frosted plates.
The Tambour Taiko Galactique is a unique piece, priced at €1 million or approximately INR 9.55 crore.
Escales Autour du Monde: Escale en Amazonie Pocket Watch
Rounding out this automaton trio is the Escale en Amazonie—a white gold pocket watch that embraces the legacy of Louis Vuitton’s trunk, designed by La Fabrique des Arts. At 50mm x 19mm, it's a canvas for mechanical storytelling. The watch has no time display on the front; instead, the entire dial is dedicated to automaton artistry—trunks open to reveal golden LV flowers, which draw the attention of monkey, snake, and scarlet macaws, each animated in turn, and brought to life with bas-relief engraving. A white gold compass rose spins at the top.
The background features 31 enamel colours—some rare and irreplaceable—applied using both paillonné and miniature painting. It took 140 hours to engrave the dial and 60 more for the case. The bezel is set with 60 baguette-cut gemstones totalling 3.85 carats, which include emeralds, tourmalines, tsavorites, and yellow sapphires.
Flip the watch over and you will see the LFT AU14.03, one of the most complex movements by La Fabrique du Temps. It features a tourbillon, minute repeater, and automaton module, composed of 555 parts. There are 646 inner angles, extensive black polishing, wheels in solid gold, and the rubies are set with yellow gold prongs. The ratchet alone took three weeks to finish. The watch offers an 8-day power reserve and, remarkably, is water-resistant to 30 metres. The timepiece is assembled and finished by a single watchmaker, requiring over 500 hours of work.
The piece, reportedly priced at €3 million, has already been sold purportedly to a female client who plans to wear it as a necklace.
Earlier this week, Louis Vuitton presented its latest horological marvels—three new rare automata pieces—Tambour Bushido Automata, Tambour Taiko Galactique, and Escales Autour du Monde: Escale en Amazonie pocket watch. The timepieces follow the success of the GPHG-winning Tambour Carpe Diem.
Tambour Bushido Automata
Housed in an 18K pink gold case measuring 46.8mm x 14.4mm, the Tambour Bushido Automata is the spiritual successor to the Tambour Carpe Diem watch from 2021. At rest, the watch conceals its timekeeping function. But press the button at 2 o'clock, and a symphony of movement is set in motion: the rose gold helmet’s yokai (made with rose gold featuring ruby-set eyes) shifts, revealing a jump hour display; a katana slides into view to indicate the minutes; the samurai’s eyes animate, with the left changing from rounded to pointed LV monogram flower; and the mouth opens to display the word “Bushido” in Japanese.
For the dial, engraver Dick Steenman sculpted the Samurai’s menpo (facial armor), engraved in white gold using the bas-relief technique, finished in layered red enamel and treated with a special antique-effect coating. The dial’s golden tone was achieved through the paillonné enamel process, where silver leaf is layered under translucent enamel, and topped with fondant enamel for a shiny appeal. Mount Fuji is rendered in cloisonné at 10 o’clock, and the entire 18K pink gold case is accented with red enamel over 200 hours of engraving.
Powering this dramatic display is the hand-wound LV 525 calibre, composed of 426 parts with a whopping 100-hour power reserve—indicated by a sun rising above Mount Fuji.
Finished with a red calf leather strap, the Tambour Bushido Automata is priced at INR 7,95,00,000.
Tambour Taiko Galactique
For something equally complex but more playful, the Tambour Taiko Galactique shifts the setting from Japan to outer space. This interstellar automaton doubles as a minute repeater with cathedral gongs and comes in a white gold and titanium case measuring 46.7mm x 14.6mm.
When activated through the slide, the minute repeater and automaton come into action. With the beginning of the chime, an astronaut raises his arm to plant an LV flag on the moon, a satellite spins its antenna and solar panels and its thrusters rotate, and shooting stars oscillate as the sun rotates. The vibrant show is brought to life through a combination of enamelling techniques—paillonné, grisaille, champlevé, and miniature painting—totalling over 300 hours of work.
Beneath the surface, the LFT AU14.02 calibre, with 459 components, powers the timepiece with a 100-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with Côtes de Genève with brushed and frosted plates.
The Tambour Taiko Galactique is a unique piece, priced at €1 million or approximately INR 9.55 crore.
Escales Autour du Monde: Escale en Amazonie Pocket Watch
Rounding out this automaton trio is the Escale en Amazonie—a white gold pocket watch that embraces the legacy of Louis Vuitton’s trunk, designed by La Fabrique des Arts. At 50mm x 19mm, it's a canvas for mechanical storytelling. The watch has no time display on the front; instead, the entire dial is dedicated to automaton artistry—trunks open to reveal golden LV flowers, which draw the attention of monkey, snake, and scarlet macaws, each animated in turn, and brought to life with bas-relief engraving. A white gold compass rose spins at the top.
The background features 31 enamel colours—some rare and irreplaceable—applied using both paillonné and miniature painting. It took 140 hours to engrave the dial and 60 more for the case. The bezel is set with 60 baguette-cut gemstones totalling 3.85 carats, which include emeralds, tourmalines, tsavorites, and yellow sapphires.
Flip the watch over and you will see the LFT AU14.03, one of the most complex movements by La Fabrique du Temps. It features a tourbillon, minute repeater, and automaton module, composed of 555 parts. There are 646 inner angles, extensive black polishing, wheels in solid gold, and the rubies are set with yellow gold prongs. The ratchet alone took three weeks to finish. The watch offers an 8-day power reserve and, remarkably, is water-resistant to 30 metres. The timepiece is assembled and finished by a single watchmaker, requiring over 500 hours of work.
The piece, reportedly priced at €3 million, has already been sold purportedly to a female client who plans to wear it as a necklace.
