When a classic meets the future, design speaks louder than time. Louis Vuitton resurrects its 1980s icon with the Monterey – a watch that blends bold nostalgia, refined craft and modern horology.
Louis Vuitton Design, Craftsmanship & Legacy
The Monterey’s story begins with the bold vision of Italian architect Gae Aulenti, whose design for the LV I and LV II in 1988 broke rigid watch norms: the lug-less “pebble” case, the crown at 12 o’clock, travel-inspired complications and a form that referenced Louis Vuitton’s roots in travel gear and trunk-making.
Now, in 2025, Louis Vuitton has reinterpreted that radical form in a modern guise. The latest Monterey comes in a 39 mm 18k yellow gold case, paying homage to its origins while elevating the piece with fine finishing and modern proportions.
The dial embodies the highest artisanal ambitions: a white Grand Feu enamel plate, pad‐printed red and blue scales, syringe-style white gold hands with lacquer and a blued seconds hand. This is watchmaking at its refined best – every element deliberately crafted.
On the movement side, the transition from quartz (in the original) to an in-house automatic, calibre LFT MA01.02, marks Louis Vuitton’s evolution into a manufacture. It runs at 4 Hz, has a rose gold rotor and offers a 45-hour power reserve – attributes collectors now expect from serious luxury watchmakers.
Limitation and exclusivity are also part of the story: the Monterey is limited to just 188 pieces, emphasising its status as a collector’s object rather than a mass offering.
The Louis Vuitton Monterey is not just a timepiece; it’s a symbol. A symbol of a house reinventing itself in watches, of a design icon reinterpreted, and of craftsmanship rising to meet expectations. With its bold form, refined materials and exclusive status, the Monterey stands at the intersection of style, legacy and horology.
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