INTRODUCING: Skipping the light fantastic with the Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum
Fergus NashBlasting onto the scene like a Light Cycle from Tron, the Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum is the French fashion house’s latest revolution in the world of super-luxury wristwatches. The Spin Time complication has long been a notable design among the Tambour watches from Louis Vuitton, and often forms the most exciting platform to trial new avenues. With this release, the Spin Time Air Quantum enters the world of hybrid technology for a cutting-edge application of familiar components.
To cut out any sense of suspense, yes this watch uses LEDs and batteries. The magic with which the Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum is written about is frankly hilarious given the simplicity behind the concept, but what’s even funnier is how truly revolutionary this is. When we think of haute horology innovations, our minds turn to crazy triple-axis tourbillons and minute repeaters — but including a simple electronic circuit? It’s unheard of within this realm. Comparisons to the only similar light-up complication in an analogue watch have to be made with the Indiglo feature on certain Timex watches, no matter how heretical that may sound given the difference in cost and status.
Just because the concept is simple, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the integration or execution of that idea is easy. Each of the spinning cubes are milled out of silica, leaving behind a thin layer of diffused yellow that spreads bright light from the LED evenly along its surfaces. Doing this in a way which hides the electronics and keeps the floating effect of the dial intact is quite impressive, as is the ability for the watch’s owner to change the batteries with ease when required. Louis Vuitton have calculated that with six to seven presses of the button per day, the battery life can last for three years. If you were wondering how to actually read the watch, the central minutes hand works as standard while the hour of the day is shown as the yellow letter on a black backdrop.
Of course, the mechanical heart of the Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time Air Quantum beats on as the automatic calibre LV 68, with a 35 hour power reserve and 28,800 vibrations per hour beat rate despite having no running seconds hand. The 42.5mm case sits like an alien object on the wrist with it’s drum-shaped profile and short wrist-friendly lugs, which is an attractive quality for an out-of-this-world design. The strap is just as much a hybrid as the watch is too, using a mixture of alligator and rubber to neatly match the blazing dial.
| Case Material | Titanium with black DLC coating |
| Case Dimensions | 42.5mm x 12.3 mm |
| Water-Resistance | 50m |
| Dial | Black with mixed finishes |
| Straps | Alligator and rubber hybrid |
| Movement | LV 68 |
| Power Reserve | 35 hours |
| Complications | Spin hours, minutes, 3-second LED glow |
| Price | $93,000 AUD |