Louis Vuitton first introduced the Tambour Spin Time in 2009, marking a significant milestone in its horological journey. The concept was revolutionary: instead of using traditional hour hands, the watch featured rotating cubes — each marked with numerals — that would “spin” to indicate the current hour. This playful yet mechanically complex design was developed in collaboration with the brand’s haute horlogerie division, which would later become La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.

The Tambour Spin Time Air followed in 2014, refining the concept further by placing the rotating cubes on spindly arms suspended in space, giving the illusion that they were floating — hence the name “Air.” This open-worked architecture enhanced the visual dynamism of the Spin Time mechanism, while also showcasing the growing sophistication of Louis Vuitton’s in-house watchmaking capabilities.

Together, these watches established Louis Vuitton not just as a fashion house dabbling in horology, but also as a true innovator in mechanical watchmaking.

Transforming Louis Vuitton into a boutique horology brand

Since the integration of La Fabrique du Temps into Louis Vuitton in 2011, the workshop has evolved into a beacon of innovation and craftsmanship. Under the stewardship of Jean Arnault, the youngest son of LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, the division has undergone a transformative journey. Joining Louis Vuitton watchmaking in 2021, the youngest Arnault’s vision is eminently clear: to position Louis Vuitton as a boutique horology brand, emphasizing limited production, in-house movements, and avant-garde designs. 

Louis Vuitton Tambour in full stainless steel (2023)

Very quickly, his vision began to take form. In 2023, he redesigned the classic Louis Vuitton Tambour, updating it with a more slender profile and refined, ergonomic details.

Next he redesigned the Escale in 2024, establishing it as the modern dress watch par excellence, not just for fashion aesthetes but horology enthusiasts too.

Inside the 2025 Tambour Taiko Spin Time Collection

This year, the maison was off to a flying start. In January came the phenomenal slate of LVMH Watch Week 2025 novelties, which properly dominated the annual horology fair. Obviously the main highlight that wowed everyone was the Tambour Convergence, but the Tambour Taiko Spin Time collection also swiftly reclaimed the spotlight with its iconic design interpreted over six different product references.

Louis Vuitton introduced six models to the the Taiko Spin Time lineup: time-only Spin Time models, time-only Spin Time Air models, a Spin Time Flying Tourbillon (pictured), and the new Spin Time Antipode. (Image: Revolution ©)

Embracing the unique yet complex jumping cubes hour display, these latest Tambour Taiko Spin Time references effortlessly blend understated luxury with complex mechanics. The maison went with a muted color palette for the watches, all crafted in white gold, with the Spin Time Air models featuring a diameter of 42.5mm and height of 12.45mm. This means two things: One, they bring an imposing presence to the wrist, and two, they remain extremely comfortable thanks to the Tambour’s drum-shaped silhouette, which is slightly wider at the base than at the bezel.

Of the six references, Louis Vuitton has made two time-only Spin Time models, two time-only Spin Time Air models, a Spin Time Flying Tourbillon, and the new Spin Time Antipode, which has an ingenious world-time complication.

The hands are skeletonized, with the void in their outer halves filled with luminous material for enhanced legibility. Notably, while the patented Spin Time module was previously paired with an ETA base movement, these watches now incorporate a newly developed in-house automatic base movement by La Fabrique du Temps, the same movement used in the new Tambour Convergence.

At the same time, the Spin Time jump hour module has a more robust system that was granted a patent last year.

A jewelled version of the Tambout Taiko Spin Time feature 4.3cts of baguette-cut diamonds on the lugs and dial, along with a hawk’s eye gemstone for the dial center. (Image: Revolution ©)

Additionally, while the Spin Time previously utilized cubes with straight edges, the Tambour Taiko Spin Time employs cubes composed of four gently curved faces, giving each cube a cushion-shaped profile.

At the forefront of the collection is the Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Antipode and we all know how travel is always a point of inspiration for Louis Vuitton. This innovative traveller’s timepiece introduces a highly creative travel time complication, displaying the time across 24 global time zones simultaneously. The innovative jumping hour mechanism is complemented by a world map disk, with each of the 12 reworked cubes indicating the time of two cities, offering a legible and intuitive presentation.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Antipode displays the 24 time zones on 12 cubes, with pair exactly 12 zones apart (Image: Revolution ©)

The self-winding LFT ST12.02 caliber was developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton

Local time is indicated by a skeletonized minute hand and a yellow hour pointer printed on a rotating world map disk. World time is indicated by the 12 cubes of the Spin Time mechanism encircling the map. Each cube features the names of two cities, 12 hours apart such as Paris and Midway, with blue denoting night and silver representing day. At the same time, the 12-hour chapter ring rotates counter-clockwise and the hour numeral next to each cube represents the current time in both cities on that cube.

Meanwhile, the Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Flying Tourbillon showcases a quiet, artful elegance.

The Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Tourbillon incorporates a central flying tourbillon (with a cage in the shape of the Monogram flower) into the LFT ST05.01 movement (Image: Revolution ©)

This stunning white gold masterpiece combines the floating cube display with a central flying tourbillon with a tourbillon cage shaped like the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram flower. The latter is crafted from steel and finished by hand, and sits above a mirror-polished lower plate designed to reflect and show the underside of the complication which features exquisite finishing on the caseband that juxtaposes grainé finishing and horizontal brushing.

Likewise, the time-only Spin Time Air references come in gem-set and non-gem-set variations. The gem-set Spin Time Air pairs brilliant pavé diamonds with a Hawk’s eye dial plate and additionally features rotating cubes paved with brilliant-cut white and black diamonds.

Taken altogether, the Tambour Taiko Spin Time collection symbolizes Louis Vuitton’s distinctive identity in haute horlogerie. The Spin Time belongs to Louis Vuitton, and Louis Vuitton only, with the know-how and watchmaking expertise that has now been fully integrated within the maison. Through these six watches, it is imminently clear that Louis Vuitton doesn’t just want to be a high watchmaking house, but it wants to ascend to the highest level of haute horlogerie on its own terms.

Tech Specs: Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Antipode

Reference: W9WG21
Movement: Self-winding Caliber LFT ST12.01; 45-hour power reserve
Functions: World time with spin time air display, and minutes
Case: 42.5mm × 12.45mm; 18K white gold; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: World map in galvanic growth; 18K white gold indices
Strap: Beige calf leather; 18K white gold pin buckle
Price: USD 99,500
Availability: Limited edition of 50 pieces

Tech Specs: Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air

Reference: W9WG41 (without diamonds); W9WG31 (set with diamonds)
Movement: Self-winding Caliber LFT ST13.01; 45-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours with spin time air display, and minutes
Case: 42.5mm × 12.45mm; 18K white gold or 18K white gold set with 909 diamonds; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Sunray dolphin gray with applied 18K white gold indices, or hawk’s eye set with 118 diamond indices and cubes set with 96 diamonds and 96 black diamonds
Strap: Beige calf leather with 18K white gold pin buckle, or beige calf leather with 18K white gold pin buckle set with 17 diamonds
Price: USD 81,000 (W9WG41); USD 145,000 (W9WG31)
Availability: Limited edition of 150 pieces (W9WG41) and 30 pieces (W9WG31)

Tech Specs: Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time Air Flying Tourbillon

Reference: W9WG11
Movement: Self-winding Caliber LFT ST05.05; 45-hour power reserve
Functions: Central flying tourbillon, hours with spin time air display, and minutes
Case: 42.5mm × 12.45mm; 18K white gold; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Dolphin gray with opaline and azur finish; 18K white gold indices
Strap: Beige calf leather; 18K white gold pin buckle
Price: USD 172,000
Availability: Limited edition of 70 pieces

Tech Specs: Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Spin Time

Reference: W9WG62 (without diamonds); W9WG52 (set with diamonds)
Movement: Self-winding Caliber LFT ST13.01; 45-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours with spin time display, and minutes
Case: 39.5mm × 12.15mm; 18K white gold or 18K white gold set with 68 diamonds; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Sunray dolphin gray with applied 18K white gold indices, or hawk’s eye set with 12 diamond indices
Strap: Dolphin gray rubber with 18K white gold pin buckle, or dolphin gray rubber with 18K white gold pin buckle set with 14 diamonds
Price: USD 72,500 (W9WG62); USD 145,000 (W9WG52)
Availability: Limited edition of 150 pieces (W9WG62) and 50 pieces (W9WG52)