VIDEO: The Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Graphite Race Chronograph is set to be one of the boldest sports watches of 2020
Thor SvaboeThe term “luxury sports watch” is often an overused clichè. But the Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Graphite Race Chronograph leaves you in no doubt of its intentions. A bold case combined with serious swagger and eye-popping green accents makes it a bright spark of contemporary design in a world of homage watches. Shy it ain’t.
This watch is neither small nor particularly quiet, but maybe it’s exactly what we need? Not everyone wants a softly spoken 38mm skindiver, and this is nothing of the sort. The first time I lay my hands on it I notice that in this rather large 46mm case, LV has managed to create a very comfortable wearing sports chronograph. The round Tambour case is a veritable silky smooth pebble of comfort in black PVD-treated smooth steel. It sits just-so on the wrist and gives you a perfectly rounded background, while distracting you through the lively use of B.R.I.G.H.T green accents. The feeling on the wrist is sublime with the black and green logoed rubber strap, temptingly quick-released from the slender, downturned lugs can be swapped perhaps to an alligator strap for that Saturday night cocktail party. Though you’ll probably want to keep it on as that green relief logo ties in perfectly with the dial. Did I hear the term “statement piece”?
The dial is the star here though, and there’s so much happening to distract you from its chronograph functionality. A surface of calm black and grey check is inspired by the Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite canvas, and channels the magic touch of Virgil Abloh throughout the collections of LV. And, we do have an accurate chronograph hiding within the barrage of colours, softly contoured pushers making it a functional joy to operate. The dial is eminently readable with large numerals and rectangular indices and blocky baton skeletonisd hands toughen up the vibe with a the green seconds hand.
Little touches of green freshness delineate the minute track on the angled rehaut, and the entire scene is dominated by a futuristic cut of V in grey and green. Big on distractions it is, but do you know what? That’s exactly why the design is so strong, and why you’ll struggle to tear your gaze away from the dial.
Turning the Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Graphite Race Chronograph over, the smooth grey back has a laser-like green circle framing a tinted sapphire back, through which you see an intricately decorated movement. The brand reports that this is an automatic movement with a solid 42 hour power reserve and a classic geneva-striped rotor adorned with a black LV logo. The sporty intentions are not exactly hidden by the flashes of green and that’s backed by a depth rating of a secure 100m.
It only takes a few minutes with this on your arm to feel refreshed, by the fact that a sizeable sports watch can be so comfortable, and the razor-sharp details and pops of green that no doubt will improve your mood threefold. Haute Horlogerie can be bold, and I’d happily wear a T-shirt in the winter to share the flash of this sharp chronograph from the refreshed maison of Louis Vuitton.
The Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Graphite Race Chronograph, price and availability:
Available from Louis Vuitton boutiques and online, price: $11,800 AUD
Made in partnership with Louis Vuitton. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.