Louis Vuitton revived the Monterey in a 39 mm yellow gold limited edition of 188 pieces, keeping Aulenti's lugless form but adding the automatic calibre LFT MA01.02 and a quick-release strap system.
2023
In July 2023 the Tambour was relaunched as a slim 40 mm unisex watch with Louis Vuitton's first integrated bracelet and the in-house LFT023 calibre, while about 80 percent of the watch range was retired.
2017
The Tambour Horizon, developed with Google and Qualcomm, became Louis Vuitton's first smartwatch.
2016
A flying tourbillon movement conceived and assembled in Meyrin earned the Poincon de Geneve, a first for the house, with the Voyager Flying Tourbillon.
2014
All watchmaking teams moved from La Chaux-de-Fonds to a new manufacture in Meyrin, Geneva, named La Fabrique du Temps.
2011
Louis Vuitton bought La Fabrique du Temps, the Geneva complications workshop founded in 2007 by Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini; the dial maker Leman Cadrans followed in 2012.
2002
Louis Vuitton launched its first watch collection, the Tambour, and opened its original watch site in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
1988
Louis Vuitton's first wristwatches, the Monterey I and II, designed by architect Gae Aulenti and made with IWC: a lugless pebble case with the crown at 12 o'clock, the strap fed through openings in the case back.
Ambassadors over the years
BC
Bradley CooperFrom 2022actor, first dedicated watch ambassador
The actor became Louis Vuitton's first dedicated ambassador for watches in September 2022, for the Tambour's 20th anniversary and the Tambour Twenty; he fronted the 2023 campaign for the new Tambour.
CA
Carlos AlcarazFrom 2023tennis player, house ambassador (not watch specific)
The Spanish tennis player became a Louis Vuitton house ambassador in June 2023; the sources do not tie the role to watches.
More Louis Vuitton references, by line
Lines without a guide page yet: every reference we list for them, with its strap size.
Escale Time Zone
Escale Time Zone Q5D20020 mm
Escale Time Zone Spacecraft Q5D240Width not listed yet
Monterey
Monterey Ceramic W0CR11Integrated bracelet
Monterey Ceramic W0CR21Integrated bracelet
Tambour Damier
Tambour Damier Graphite Three-Hand LV-TAM-DAM-3H-2010Proprietary strap system
Tambour Diver
Tambour Diver 200m Yellow Q1031Proprietary strap system
Tambour Evolution
Tambour Evolution Chronograph GMT GM Q10520Proprietary strap system
Tambour Evolution GMT GM Q1156Proprietary strap system
Tambour Horizon
Tambour Horizon Light Up BlackSee band system
Tambour LV277
Tambour LV277 Chronograph Black Q1141Proprietary strap system
Tambour LV277 Chronograph Silver Q1142Proprietary strap system
Tambour Moon Star
Tambour Moon Star Q8J1114.5 mm
Tambour Outdoor
Tambour Outdoor Nautical Chronograph GMT GM QA153Proprietary strap system
Tambour Outdoor Urban Jungle Chronograph GMT GM QA154ZProprietary strap system
Tambour Spin
Tambour Spin Time RegattaProprietary strap system
FAQ
What lug width do Louis Vuitton watches use?
8 mm is the most common (30% of Louis Vuitton references with a listed width), followed by 20 mm and 12 mm.
Do all Louis Vuitton watches take the same strap size?
No. Louis Vuitton uses 6 different lug widths across its collections, so check your exact model or reference.
When was Louis Vuitton founded?
Louis Vuitton was founded in founded in 1854 in Paris, France in Paris, France by Louis Vuitton.
Who are Louis Vuitton's ambassadors?
Over the years Louis Vuitton has partnered with Bradley Cooper (from 2022), Carlos Alcaraz (from 2023).
Help
What is lug width?
The gap between the two lugs that hold the strap, in millimetres. A new strap must match it exactly: 20 mm lugs take a 20 mm strap.
Measure it in 30 seconds
Take the strap off, or look at the back of it: many straps print their width.
Measure the inside gap between the lugs with a caliper or a millimetre ruler.
Round to the nearest whole millimetre. Most watches use 18, 20 or 22 mm.
Strap, quick release or system?
Most watches use spring bars, so any strap of the right width fits. Many smartwatches use their own band system instead, such as Apple Watch bands or Garmin QuickFit.