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In today's fast-paced world, pocket watches seem to have become a romantic symbol of history. Louis Vuitton has consistently used its watchmaking craftsmanship to transform different cultures and landscapes into timepieces. The newly launched Pocket Watch Escale au Mont Fuji, inspired by Mount Fuji in Japan, combines natural scenery, craftsmanship, and the art of watchmaking.
Japanese maki-e technique depicting the scenery of Mount Fuji
What's most impressive about the pocket watch is the scene on the dial, imbued with an oriental aesthetic. The entire design features Mount Fuji in Japan, depicting its snow-capped peak, layers of clouds, and the gradually changing colors of the sky in the distance. These details are not simply printed, but are handcrafted using the traditional Japanese lacquerware technique of Maki-e.
Maki-e is an ancient decorative technique originating in Japan. Craftsmen sprinkle extremely fine gold or silver powder onto the lacquer surface while it is still wet, then repeatedly polish and grind it to create a delicate and soft sheen. In addition to maki-e, the dial also incorporates enamel decoration, making the colors richer and more lasting. Different materials exhibit subtle variations under light; as the watch is tilted slightly, the outline of Mount Fuji and the interplay of light and shadow in the sky create different layers. The case design continues the travel elements of the Escale series. The round pocket watch case has smooth lines, and the polished metal surface presents a warm luster, resulting in an overall style that is both elegant and collectible.
Workshop builds the core of precision machinery
Beneath its artistic exterior, the pocket watch also showcases Louis Vuitton's technical prowess in haute horlogerie. Inside, it houses a mechanical movement developed by the brand's in-house watchmaking workshop, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
Through the transparent case back of the pocket watch, the decorative details inside the movement are visible. The bridges are meticulously polished, and the gears and mechanical structures are neatly arranged, exhibiting a rhythmic movement during operation. The watchmaker hand-finished each component, including chamfering and polishing. Compared to a regular wristwatch, this pocket watch has a larger movement. When the pocket watch is opened, one can simultaneously appreciate the artistic artwork on the dial and the mechanical details of the movement on the back—one side showcasing culture and craftsmanship, the other the operation of precision mechanics—making the entire timepiece both collectible and aesthetically pleasing.
In today's fast-paced modern life, pocket watches seem to have become a romantic symbol of history. Louis Vuitton has consistently used its watchmaking craftsmanship to transform different cultures and landscapes into timepieces. The newly launched Pocket Watch Escale au Mont Fuji, inspired by Mount Fuji in Japan, combines natural scenery, craftsmanship, and watchmaking art. The most impressive aspect of this pocket watch, featuring a Japanese maki-e technique depicting Mount Fuji, is the scene on the dial, imbued with an oriental aesthetic. The entire design centers on Mount Fuji, depicting its snow-capped peaks, layers of clouds, and the gradually changing colors of the sky in the distance. These details are not simply printed but are handcrafted using the traditional Japanese maki-e lacquerware technique. Maki-e is an ancient decorative technique originating in Japan where artisans sprinkle extremely fine gold or silver powder onto the lacquer surface while it is still wet, followed by multiple polishing processes to create a delicate and soft luster. In addition to maki-e, the dial also incorporates enamel decoration, making the colors richer and more lasting. Different materials subtly change under light, and as the watch's angle shifts slightly, the silhouette of Mount Fuji and the interplay of light and shadow in the sky create different layers. The case design continues the travel elements of the Escale series. The round pocket watch case features smooth lines, and the polished metal surface has a warm luster, resulting in an overall style that is both elegant and collectible. …
