After celebrating Europe and its vanities, China and the Bian-Lan Opera, Japan and Bushido, Louis Vuitton embarks on a new journey by propelling High Watchmaking into space. For this interstellar odyssey, Louis Vuitton has created an exceptional watch, the Tambour Taiko Galactique a minute repeater with cathedral gongs and automata that combine the virtuosity of a unique mechanical caliber with the perfect mastery of several artistic crafts. Evolving in the space of audacity.
Going beyond earthly borders. Pushing the limits of adventure. Discovering new horizons. As early as 2009, Louis Vuitton celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the first moon landing: by bringing together three astronauts on one of the posters of the famous “A journey beyond“ campaign. In 2021, to mark the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Monsieur Louis Vuitton, the House presented an extraordinary Tambour Jacquemart Minute Repeater with cathedral gongs, whose dial paid tribute to the theme of space odysseys.
In 2025, the Tambour Taiko Galactique explores the universe of the Moon, offering an entirely new perspective over the Earth and Sun that transports complication watches into a new dimension. “The Tambour Galactique embodies a resolutely modern journey, where the DNA of Louis Vuitton – to constantly push the limits – reaches its pinnacle. This quest for excellence is evident both in the design and development of the watch movement and in the aesthetic approach to artisanal know-how, which we wish to both perpetuate and project into the future,“ explains Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
Powered by a minute repeater movement whose cathedral gong chimes sound the hours, quarter hours, and minutes on demand, the Tambour Taiko Galactique is characterized by the sophistication of its dial’s decoration. The engraving and enameling of which alone required more than 300 hours of work.
A caliber of great complexity
Entirely designed and developed at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the LFT AU14.02 manual-winding mechanical caliber was specifically created to power the Tambour Taiko Galactique. 220 hours of work were required to assemble this 459-component movement, which boasts a 100-hour power reserve.
Several demonstrations of horological prowess are enshrined in this high-complication watch. In addition to the minute repeater being associated with cathedral gongs, it follows the seven animations of the automaton. Louis Vuitton harnessed technical expertise to serve aesthetics and poetry, resulting in no fewer than nine elements that smoothly come alive on the dial.
When pushing the slide piece on the target, the minute repeater chimes out the hour and the dial springs to life, offering an unprecedented and fascinating visual spectacle.
To the sound of a powerful and melodious cathedral chime, the astronaut moves through space, ready to plant his flag on the lunar ground. At the same time, the satellite’s antenna, solar panels, and thruster come to life, shooting stars oscillate, and the Sun begins its rotation, all at different speeds of rotation.
“Animating the astronaut in space realistically was the biggest challenge of the Tambour Taiko Galactique“, explains Michel Navas, Master Watchmaker at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. “His right arm slowly waving the LV flag, while his left arm provides a counterweight, creates a striking weightless effect. This lack of a point of support, while contributing to the realism of the scene, has severely tested the ingenuity of our teams of engineers and watchmakers.“
Excellence at its peak
Barely out of his spacecraft, the astronaut of the Tambour Taiko Galactique is preparing to explore the Moon. In his right hand, he holds a saffron-coloured flag with the House’s logo, while a satellite is stationed to his left. Illuminated by the Sun’s rays, the beauty of the Earth shines brightly, offering a magnificent representation of the blue planet.
With unparalleled precision, the artisans have transcribed in 3D the striking harmony of this galactic scene, calling upon several skills. “We have deployed a range of artistic crafts on this timepiece, including grand feu enamel, paillonné enamel, miniature enamel, sculpture and engraving.
The stars and the flag were hand-engraved, while the astronaut and the satellite were specially sculpted by our Master Engraver to create an impression of volume. The extreme finesse of the elements that animate the dial is remarkable. In order to convey weightlessness and give depth to the scene, we played with colors, with a sky that gradually darkens and planets of different sizes arranged asymmetrically,“
explains Matthieu Hegi.
Four enamel techniques were implemented to bring the dial of the Tambour Taiko Galactique to life. The sumptuous colors of the Earth, composed of orange, green, white, and blue, were obtained thanks to several layers of miniature enamel.
In fact, no less than seven colors were necessary to create this terrestrial motif. Beyond the level of detail and the colors used to best represent the planet, the enameler’s work consisted of bringing the clouds to life, playing between blur and sharpness to give a striking aspect of reality. The beauty and depth of the blue used also contribute to this effect.
Finally, to further accentuate the illusion, the planet seems to fade delicately into the limbo of the universe. While some stars sparkle thanks to the delicate technique of paillonné where a gold paillon is applied to the dial and then covered with enamel – the opalescent enamel perfectly transcribes the vaporous halo of the moon’s surface and the solar flare, thus reproducing the sun’s rays illuminating the dial. The sun, meanwhile, comes to life thanks to the paillonné technique: yellow gold paillons are applied between different layers of transparent enamel, allowing the brilliance of the gold to stand out. Orange and red enamels are then added to reflect the fiery side of the star.
Made with the champlevé technique, the astronaut seems to float weightlessly on the moon. The lunar surface, with its craters reproduced with striking meticulousness, is obtained thanks to the grisaille technique. This technique is based on a black base on which different layers of white enamel are applied, creating a subtle chiaroscuro effect. The red Monogram flowers that adorn the astronaut’s suit are hand-painted in miniature. Their small size and the need to apply three layers of enamel demonstrate extreme precision of execution. Ultimately, eight layers give this unique decor a glossy finish.
Through its perfect rendering of the Earth’s nuances, the Sun’s rays, and the Moon’s textured, chiaroscuro surface, Louis Vuitton brilliantly captures the emotional significance of this journey through space.
Watchmaking prowess in the service of innovation
Virtuosity in the most infinitesimal detail, mastery of nuance in the gradation of tones, the spectacular dial of the Tambour Taiko Galactique is housed in a new titanium and white gold case with a design as futuristic as it is innovative.
Entirely manufactured by the Fabrique des Boîtes Louis Vuitton, this unique case is distinguished by the shape of its integrated lugs, which are hollowed out – a technical feat highlighted by its mirror-polish, sandblasted double finish.
A bold aesthetic choice: the crown of this watch is positioned at 12 o’clock, contributing to the originality of its design. Like a precious signature, the letters “Louis Vuitton“ are polished and affixed in relief on the bezel of the watch. The rubber strap, embossed with interlocking LV motifs, was specially developed to integrate perfectly with the crown positioned at noon. Another element of sophistication: the slide piece that activates the minute repeater is set with a gradient of blue sapphires and two topazes. Finally, the sapphire case back invites you to admire the complexity and aesthetics of the watch mechanism.
With the Tambour Taiko Galactique, Louis Vuitton offers a unique horological spectacle that not only retraces a major episode of space exploration from Earth to the Moon, but also invents a new form of travel: that of ultimate excellence, the kind that rubs shoulders with the stars.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Galactique Technical Specifications
Tambour Taiko Galactique Ref. W9TI12
Movement
- LFT AU14.02 Calibre: mechanical movement with manual winding developed and assembled by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton
- Automata mechanism featuring 7animations, minute repeater, hours, minutes
- 459 components
- 100 hours of power reserve
- 21,600 oscillations per hour
- 50 jewels
Case
- Crown and lugs in 18K white gold
- Slide-piece in18K white gold set with 6 baguette-cut sapphires and 2 baguette-cut topaz
- 46.7 mm diameter
- 14.6 mm thickness
- Anti-reflection sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant to 30 m
Dial
- Handcrafted enamel dial using the paillonné, cloisonné and miniature enamel techniques
- Handcrafted engravings (astronaut, satellite and flag)
- Dial set with two diamonds
Strap
- Blue rubber strap
- Buckle: 18K white gold double folding buckle
Gemsetting
- 6 baguette-cut sapphires and 2 baguette-cut topaz for ~ 0.56 carat
- 2 round diamonds for ~ 0,02 carat
About Louis Vuitton
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming for the finest quality.
Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel“ through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical.
Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton.
Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery and fragrance.
These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fine craftsmanship.