This is a ‘secret’ watch that’s a fashion accessory and a timepiece in one. A round cover (in ceramic for the Bijou Secret Black and in mother-of-pearl for the Bijou Secret White) with Louis Vuitton’s iconic round-petalled flower Monogram design slides open to reveal another Monogram flower on a 22m dial – this time a pointy-petalled one. Both versions are in steel, and are attached to a triple-coiled Monogram vernis leather strap – in black or white
The Tambour (which means ‘drum’ in French) watch refers to its sloping, drum-shaped case, and celebrates a decade with Louis Vuitton. Incidentally, last year also marked the luxury maison’s 10th year anniversary in watchmaking. In 2012, the company had launched the Tambour Bijou Secret, which mixed white gold or pink gold with mother-of-pearl and diamonds. The new Black and White steel watches are a departure from the highly jeweled look (although they still sport diamonds on the pivoting casing as well as the dial), yet contain the same intricate technology as the white and pink gold versions. In 2011, the LVMH group acquired La Fabrique du Temps, a specialized watchmaker that creates fine movements. So all watches in the 2012 Tambour series and onwards, contain brand new innovations that reflect the maison’s entry into fine horologie-making.
The Tambour Bijou Secret Black and White watches will be availablein march 2013 in Louis Vuitton stores.