Louis Vuitton x Kari Voutilainen: A Watchmaking Masterpiece That’s More Than Just A GMT
Watches can be complicated, extravagant, or even artistic, but every once in a while, a piece comes along that is a mix of all three in a way that makes collectors and enthusiasts stare at it with their jaws hanging. That’s exactly what happened today in Phuket, Thailand, where Louis Vuitton, under Jean Arnault’s leadership, showed the world the LVKV-02 GMR 6. This is the second watch in a five-part collaboration between the brand and some of the world’s most praised independent watchmakers, following the 2023 launch with Rexhep Rexhepi. This time, it’s Kari Voutilainen in the spotlight, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.
Source: WristCheck
This Watch Is Just Crazy
On the surface, this watch is a GMT, a travel-friendly complication that lets you track two time zones. But as with anything Voutilainen touches, there’s a lot more going on beneath the dial. The LVKV-02 GMR 6 features a direct-impulse, dual escape wheel movement that improves efficiency and precision. The movement architecture is very obviously Voutilainen, with his signature German silver plates and bridges, a large balance wheel, and a hairspring designed for maximum accuracy. The watch beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour and has a healthy 65-hour power reserve.
The dial is a fusion of miniature-painted enamel from Louis Vuitton’s La Fabrique des Arts and hand-executed guilloché from Voutilainen’s workshop. The case is a mix of tantalum and platinum, finished to perfection.
Source: WristCheck
Why Voutilainen?
If you’re familiar with high-end independent watchmaking, you already know why Kari Voutilainen was the perfect choice for this project. His work is defined by “German” attention to detail, old-school watchmaking techniques, and an uncompromising approach to finishing. Despite running a relatively small workshop that produces fewer than 100 watches per year, Voutilainen has managed to build a reputation as one of the most respected names in the industry.
In addition to making complete watches, Voutilainen’s influence extends beyond his own brand. Through his company, Comblémine SA, he supplies dials to other top-tier watchmakers, and in recent years, he has taken on the role of co-CEO of the revived Urban Jürgensen brand. In short, he’s quite important in the world of independent watchmaking.
It is Art
The LVKV-02 GMR 6 features a hand-painted miniature enamel design by artisan Maryna Bossy, requiring multiple layers of color and kiln firings to achieve the final result. The guilloché pattern on the gold dial, inspired by Louis Vuitton’s classic Damier motif, was created using 18th-century rose-engine lathes in Voutilainen’s workshop.
Even the GMT subdial has an artistic twist. The sun and moon imagery, which serves as the day/night indicator, is hand-engraved and decorated in Louis Vuitton’s signature saffron and blue color scheme. The finishing touch? A subtle Monogram flower pattern hidden within the gradient.
Source: WristCheck
The Escale Case
A travel-inspired watch deserves a case to match. Louis Vuitton has chosen to house the LVKV-02 GMR 6 in its Escale case, named after the French word for “stopover.” Measuring 40.5mm in diameter and 12.54mm thick, the case is primarily made from tantalum, a material known for its bluish-gray hue and high resistance to corrosion. Platinum accents on the bezel, lugs, caseback, crown, and buckle add an extra layer of luxury.
Finishing the case was not easy. Each lug alone required an hour of meticulous hand-finishing, while the satin-brushed tantalum case took another four hours to complete. The caseback engraving, which reads “Louis cruises with Kari,” took a full 12 hours to execute.
A Functional GMT with a Twist
While many GMT watches allow the wearer to adjust the second time zone independently, Voutilainen took a different approach. Instead of moving the GMT subdial, this watch allows you to adjust the local hour hand forward or backward in one-hour increments simply by pressing the crown. It’s an intuitive and practical feature, making it easy for frequent travelers to keep track of their home time.
Source: WristCheck
The Price and Exclusivity
Okay, now the scary part. The LVKV-02 GMR 6 is limited to just five pieces (plus two prototypes) and comes with a price tag of €550,000. That’s a steep price, even in the world of haute horology, but it’s not surprising given the level of craftsmanship involved. For comparison, the LVRR-01 collaboration with Rexhep Rexhepi was priced at CHF 450,000 and limited to ten pieces, making this new release even rarer.
Source: WristCheck
Final Thoughts
As with the previous collaboration, part of the funds from this project will go toward supporting independent watchmaking. Kari Voutilainen is a member of the expert committee for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, and this collaboration helps fund the prize. Last year’s winner, Raùl Pagès, received a one-year mentorship with Louis Vuitton’s La Fabrique du Temps along with financial support.
The LVKV-02 GMR 6 is not a watch for everyone. It’s an ultra-limited, ultra-expensive collector’s piece that represents the peak of both technical watchmaking and traditional artistry. But beyond the price tag, it’s an exciting statement about where Louis Vuitton’s watch division is headed.
Jean Arnault and his team have made it clear that they want to be taken seriously in the world of high horology. With two collaborations down and three more to go, it’ll be interesting to see who they work with next. My guess? We might see someone like François-Paul Journe or a surprising up-and-comer join the lineup. Either way, the bar has been set incredibly high.
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