HANDS-ON: The Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver spans the gulf from the sea to the streets

Nick Kenyon

It was just shy of 20 years ago that Louis Vuitton released their first watch, but the strides that the brand has made in that time is impressive. The Geneva Seal isn’t something that is presented lightly in watchmaking, yet Louis Vuitton has managed to achieve that level for a number of references in their current collection. At their core today, however, Louis Vuitton is a name that brings to mind a lifestyle of everyday cool that we find in the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver collection. It’s a dive watch that spans the gulf between the sea and the streets.

The case

There are four watches in the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver collection, all of which feature stainless-steel cases – three in a larger 44mm size with one in a smaller 39.5mm. The highly polished case features the classic Tambour shape, larger at the back of the case and tapering to a smaller diameter at the bezel. This case was inspired by the shape of a drum, hence the name Tambour which is French for drum.

Around the circumference of the polished case sides you’ll find the letters that spell out Louis Vuitton engraved into the steel, then painted to match the coloured highlights of the rest of the watch. On the case side you’ll also find two crowns, one for the time and the other for the internal rotating dive bezel that are both a pleasure to interact with.

In the typical Tambour design the lugs of the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver references are protruding in a way that maintains the circular impression that the case delivers. While they certainly aren’t examples of ultra-thin watchmaking, the thickness of the cases doesn’t feel top-heavy on the wrist thanks to the way the case tapers towards the dial.

The dial

The dials are finished with a lightly brushed sunburst pattern that catches the light nicely, while contrasting against the circular brushing of the bezel around the dial.

The hands and hour markers have ample white lume in them and also feature the same highlight colours of the rest of the watch, such as the strap and the 15-minute counter on the internal bezel.

At 6 o’clock you’ll find the small seconds display that’s a nod to some old world charm, in the same way the double crown references the super-compressor dive watch cases from the middle of last century. Overall the dial design is clear, legible and a nice mix of different design elements.

The movement

The movements within the 44mm references are all mechanical, with an automatic movement that is visible through the exhibition caseback. The caseback features the LV logo and is secured with eight screws that guarantee it to 100m of water resistance – more than enough for a dip in the ocean. The smaller 39.5mm reference is powered by a quartz movement, the tick of which is barely perceptible thanks to the small seconds display not being too large on the dial.

The straps

As with many references within the Louis Vuitton Tambour collection, the straps are all rubber and extremely easy to change thanks to the quick-change mechanism that can be operated with your thumbnail.

Each side of the strap features the words LOUIS and VUITTON respectively, which might be too much branding for some, but reinforces the watch as an item of luxury lifestyle wherever you go.

The verdict

The all new Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver is a fresh and sporty new expression of a well grounded Louis Vuitton design. With 100m of water resistance, a number of interesting dive-watch design references and fun colours, this is a watch you’re more likely to see on the city streets than at your local diving spot.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver price and availability:

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver is $10,520AUD in the 44mm reference and is $7870AUD in the 39.5mm reference and are currently available. For more details, visit Louis Vuitton right here.

Made in partnership with Louis Vuitton. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.