2 Maisons, an odyssee As part of the LVMH Watch Prize dedicated to promoting independent watchmaking, De Bethune celebrates the art of travel – a theme dear to Louis Vuitton – through the LVDB‑03 Louis Varius project. A unique encounter between Denis Flageollet and Jean Arnault, Director of Louis Vuitton’s Watchmaking Division. This exceptional creation combines the first modern interpretation of the “Sympathique” Clock – an 18th-century horological masterpiece – and a limited edition of De Bethune’s iconic DB25 GMT Starry Varius. Celebrating the art of travel “Watchmakers, developers, timers, mechanics, drafters, engravers, bevellers, polishers, decorators, dial-makers, pre-assemblers, preparation workers, case fitters. More than 30 exceptionally talented artisans have devoted years to bringing this project to life: a dream object imbued with the energy of craftsmanship performed with outstanding finesse and destined to make its mark on the history of horological conquest.” Denis Flageollet LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius: Mechanics, Poetry and Craft A versatile presentation Like a marine chronometer, the clock rests on a mobile titanium gimbal, keeping it perfectly horizontal at all times. Anchored to a titanium base adorned with a marquetry of polished flame-blued meteorite, a locking mechanism allows it to adopt multiple orientations, offering versatility in display. The Sympathique docking interface The docking interface — the key to the Sympathique function — is discreetly concealed beneath a rose gold domed cover, adorned with the constellation of Hercules, a subtle nod to the astrological sign of Louis Vuitton’s founder. The capsule : An innovative and seamless experience Placing the watch into the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius is as effortless as it is elegant. Unlike previous Sympathique iterations, this singular reinterpretation allows the watch to dock intuitively through a capsule— bracelet on, no preparatory steps required. A perfect synchrony Placed within its cradle, the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius engages the clock via its crown, resetting its display every two hours to maintain the highest precision while the watch is wound, keeping both in perfect synchrony. The epithome of de bethune clockmaking atelier A De Bethune movement, entirely in-house At the heart of the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius is a key-wound movement entirely crafted by De Bethune. Comprising 763 components and equipped with two large barrels and a remontoir d’égalité, this in-house calibre is designed for outstanding stability and autonomy. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), it delivers an impressive 11-day power reserve. A tasteful nod to the collaboration: “Louis cruises with Denis” is engraved on the caseback — a calligraphic dedication to this singular encounter. Exploring the World through François Schuiten’s Delicate strokes Drawing inspiration from early 19th-century dioramas, François Schuiten, the acclaimed Belgian illustrator, has created three landscapes featuring immersive scenes of exploration — including a steam train barreling across a viaduct, hot-air balloons floating above the African savanna, and sherpas ascending steep mountains. These miniature worlds encircle the mechanism and rotate slowly. The result is a perpetually evolving dreamscape, suggesting that time is not linear but circular — cyclical, surreal and sublime. Each moment of the day tells a unique story. The Art of Travel, Engraved by Michèle Rothen To translate these intricate drawings onto three separate 5N rose-gold rings,spanning an impressive 1,80 metre De Bethune enlisted master engraver Michèle Rothen. Using a traditional burin and chisel, Michèle sculpted the entire panorama by hand, evoking the great decorative clocks of the Late Renaissance. Adorned in de Bethune Blue Every component bears witness to De Bethune’s superlative finishing and codes. The convex dial in mirror-polished blued titanium is hand-decorated with 24-carat gold leaf, revealing a celestial Milky Way motif through an artisanal process exclusive to the Manufacture. Blued titanium indexes are hand-applied to the titanium bezel, while flamed blued meteorite marquetry completes this masterful composition. The art of travel in titanium Created for the LVDB-03 Louis Varius Project, two exceptional bespoke Louis Vuitton trunks were crafted by the Maison’s master artisans in Asnières. One is a monumental titanium Trophy Trunk designed to house the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius clock; the other is a dedicated titanium High Watchmaking trunk for the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius wristwatches — finished to the same exacting standards. De Bethune signs the design with heat-blued titanium corner protectors, developed exclusively for this project, while palladium lozines, echoed in the lock, add a discreet, refined finish. Discover the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius Discover Louis Vuitton
