When it comes to luxury watches, certain names dominate the conversation: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet. But over the past two decades, another brand has made a deliberate and surprisingly credible entrance into the world of horology - Louis Vuitton. Known primarily for its leather goods, fashion, and travel accessories, Louis Vuitton has extended its legacy into timepieces.
But the question remains: are Louis Vuitton watches actually any good?
Let’s take a closer look.
It’s fair to be sceptical when a fashion house starts producing watches. Many fashion labels license their names to mass-produced, quartz-powered watches with generic designs. But Louis Vuitton took a completely different approach. From the outset, it treated watchmaking with seriousness, investment, and long-term vision.
Louis Vuitton entered the watch market in 2002, debuting the now-iconic Tambour collection. But rather than relying solely on outsourced components, Louis Vuitton invested in expertise. In 2011, the brand acquired La Fabrique du Temps, a respected Swiss watchmaking workshop based in Geneva. This acquisition brought two master watchmakers into the fold: Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, veterans of high horology with experience at Patek Philippe and Gérald Genta.
With this move, Louis Vuitton took full control of its watchmaking - design, innovation, movement development, and production - laying the groundwork to be seen not just as a fashion label, but as a legitimate horological manufacturer.
One of the first things that sets Louis Vuitton watches apart is design. The brand’s visual identity is strong—bold cases, innovative materials, and dial layouts that reflect LV’s roots in travel and craftsmanship. Rather than mimicking the understated elegance of traditional Swiss brands, Louis Vuitton watches are visually expressive, often daring, and unmistakably modern.
The Tambour case, for instance, is shaped like a drum and features sloping sides with the “Louis Vuitton” name engraved around the case edge. It’s unconventional, but distinctive—something very few watches manage to be in a saturated market.
Meanwhile, the Escale collection is perhaps Louis Vuitton at its most artistic. Inspired by the brand’s heritage of custom-painted travel trunks, the Escale dials feature vibrant, hand-painted motifs, miniature detailing, and whimsical design cues that evoke global travel and exploration.
Louis Vuitton isn’t trying to blend in - it’s creating a lane of its own.
Louis Vuitton’s watches cover a spectrum - from entry-level quartz models to high horology showpieces. Some of the most notable collections include:
Tambour
Louis Vuitton’s flagship Tambour collection is known for its distinctive case design and wide range of models, including three-hand automatics, chronographs, GMTs, and tourbillons. As the collection’s ambassador, the actor Bradley Cooper regularly wears the Tambour in both campaigns and public appearances.
Escale
Inspired by global travel and painted steamer trunks, Escale watches are among the most visually arresting in Louis Vuitton’s catalogue. World time functions and artisanal dials are common.
Voyager
A more refined, dress-oriented collection that still maintains a modern, architectural design language. Some versions feature skeleton movements and dual time zones.
Tambour Horizon
Louis Vuitton’s smart watch offering - running Google’s Wear OS but wrapped in premium materials like sapphire and ceramic. It’s aimed at luxury travellers who want tech with style.
Louis Vuitton watches occupy an interesting space. On the one hand, their entry-level models (typically quartz or basic automatics) are priced similarly to brands like TAG Heuer or Longines, offering good design with decent Swiss build quality. These are great for someone who wants the LV aesthetic in a stylish, everyday watch.
On the other hand, their high-end models are more comparable to Hublot, Zenith, or even Vacheron Constantin, depending on the complication and finishing. The level of technical expertise, movement finishing, and design execution in models like the Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon or Spin Time Air rivals far more established horological names.
So while resale value may not yet match the more entrenched Swiss maisons, Louis Vuitton is playing a long game, steadily building credibility among collectors.
If you’re someone who appreciates unique design, genuine mechanical innovation, and the heritage of a world-class luxury brand, then yes - Louis Vuitton watches are absolutely worth considering. They stand apart not by copying tradition but by pushing it in new directions.
For collectors who love brands with a strong identity and are open to exploring watches outside of the usual suspects, Louis Vuitton offers something refreshingly different. And for fashion lovers looking to upgrade their wrist game, it's a natural next step.
Louis Vuitton’s journey into watchmaking has been thoughtful, strategic, and filled with substance. While many still think of LV solely in terms of fashion and accessories, the reality is that the brand has earned its place in the conversation around modern luxury watchmaking.
Whether it’s the bold Tambour, the playful Spin Time, or the artisanal Escale, Louis Vuitton watches are beautifully made, mechanically credible, and unmistakably luxurious.
They may not (yet) carry the same watchmaking pedigree as century-old brands from the Vallée de Joux - but they’re not trying to. Louis Vuitton is carving its own path in the world of haute horology - and doing it in style.
At BQ Watches, we take pride in offering a meticulously curated selection of pre-loved luxury timepieces, and we're here to help you find the perfect one. At BQ Watches, we provide a luxury showroom experience featuring an extensive selection of prestigious brands. Whether you prefer to browse online or visit our London showroom, our knowledgeable staff is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you find the ideal timepiece to suit your style and needs.
At BQ Watches, we're here to help you find your perfect watch. If you don’t spot your Louis Vuitton timepiece in our current inventory, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. With our extensive sourcing services, we’re dedicated to helping you track down your dream watch. Get in touch with the BQ Watches team today and let’s talk watches!
