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Louis Vuitton’s Montgolfière Aéro is a delicately crafted, time-telling hot air balloon

Louis Vuitton’s Montgolfière Aéro is a delicately crafted, time-telling hot air balloon

Buffy Acacia
  • The Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro pays tribute to the French brothers who made hot air ballooning possible.
  • It’s a stunning statement piece, either as a desk clock or suspended in flight.
  • The exposed mechanical movement was created by L’Epée, a Swiss clockmaker, and features an 8-day power reserve.

There are a lot of companies that get unfairly lumped together under the derogatory term “fashion brand”, and Louis Vuitton is one of them. While it’s valid to criticise a watch for being overpriced, since when is it bad to be fashionable? I believe to an extent that designer products can charge whatever they like, as long as they live up to their promised levels of quality and luxury. This desk clock has managed to fly under the radar as watch fans have continued to focus on the new iterations of the Louis Vuitton Tambour wristwatch and LV’s other high-end, wrist-bound escapades. Well, as it’s still available, it’s time to take a closer look at the Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro.

Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro Palace of Versailles
An illustration of a Montgolfière balloon flight at the Palace of Versailles, September 19th, 1783.

The Montgolfière Aéro is named after the eponymous Montgolfière brothers, who were French pioneers in ballooning. They made hot air balloons from silk and paper, completing the first manned flights in the latter half of 1783. It’s incredible to think that humans were taking to the air 240 years ago, all thanks to the children of a family of papermakers. Despite being mostly a novelty or tourist activity today, there’s still something powerfully romantic about the idea of flying with such limited technology, and the freedom of simply standing in a wicker basket.

Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro 2

Naturally, Louis Vuitton’s interpretation of the hot air balloon includes allusions to travel, as it originally rose to fame as a manufacturer of trunks. Hot air balloons have also been featured in many Louis Vuitton products and ad campaigns over the years, so it’s on theme. One of the smallest LV trunks ever constructed forms the base and basket of the balloon, which houses some of the clock’s movement. Moving up past the brass struts, you come across the hour and minute wheels that display the time via a monogram flower pointing both up and down. The flower is in the position of the burner and represents the flame that keeps the balloon inflated with hot air. The dome of the balloon itself, resplendent in golden brass and red glass, also forms a silhouette of a monogram flower.

Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro 1

Aside from the simple majesty of the balloon and the time display, getting a glimpse into the mechanics below the balloon is really what makes this special as a desk piece, or even something suspended from the ceiling. The movement is actually made by L’Epée, a common collaborator with any brand looking to make high-end clocks. The company has been making elaborate clocks in Switzerland since 1839, and one which Louis Vuitton acquired back in July of 2024. The balance wheel is open and prominently displayed, ticking away at 18,000 vph for satisfying mechanical feedback. There is a crown to adjust the time beneath the vertical escapement, and winding the eight-day power reserve is done via a key beneath the Louis Vuitton basket, taking only approximately six winds to fill up.

Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro pricing and availability

You can now enquire about the Louis Vuitton Montgolfière Aéro online, or at your nearest boutique. Price: US$61,500

Brand Louis Vuitton
Model Montgolfière Aéro
Reference Q1TC10
Case material Brass, stained glass, monogram canvas
Movement L’Epée 1855 LR, manual winding
Power Reserve 8 days
Functions Hours, minutes
Availability Now
Price US$61,500