By Jovan Krstevski
Louis Vuitton has once again taken its horological eccentricity off the leash with a flamboyant flock of new automata watches that are equal parts mechanical theatre and wearable sculpture. The Tambour Bushido Automata, Tambour Taiko Galactique and Escales Autour du Monde ‘Escale en Amazonie’ Pocket Watch each lean hard into the theatrical, using automaton mechanisms and artisanal finishes to bring their themes to life. While the prices swing from steep to astronomical, these watches appear to be aimed at collectors who value craft, storytelling and mechanical choreography in equal measure.
Tambour Bushido Automata
This piece comes in at 46.8mm x 14.4mm and is cased in 18K pink gold, decked out with engravings and red enamel that reportedly take 200 hours to complete. The dial depicts a samurai’s faceplate sculpted in white gold, with a rose gold yokai perched atop, ruby eyes and all. Hit the automaton trigger and you’re treated to a flurry of motion: the yokai shifts, the samurai’s katana points to the minutes, eyes widen and the mouth reveals “Bushido” in Japanese. Powering it all is the manually-wound LV 525 caliber with 426 components and a 100-hour reserve. It’s priced at $755,000.
Tambour Taiko Galactique
Bigger still at 46.7mm x 14.6mm, this one features a case of white gold and titanium. The dial is a showpiece of multiple enameling styles, depicting an astronaut on the moon, LV flag in hand. Engage the slide and a minute repeater chimes as the astronaut animates, satellites whir and stars oscillate. The LFT AU 14.02 movement inside is composed of 459 parts with 100 hours of power and decorated with a mix of Côtes de Genève, brushed and frosted finishes. Though the brand hasn’t listed a retail price, the watch is said to cost north of $1 million.
Escales Autour du Monde ‘Escale en Amazonie’ Pocket Watch
A white gold pocket watch measuring 50mm x 19mm, it’s ringed with 60 baguette-cut stones adding up to 3.85 carats. The dial hosts a jungle scene with trunks, animals and 31 enamel hues. Automaton action brings the forest to life, while time is shown on the caseback. The AU14.03 caliber inside includes 555 components, a tourbillon, minute repeater and finishing that requires over 500 hours. Only one exists, reportedly sold during previews for €3 million.
