An exceptional project As part of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives — supporting a dedicated mentorship program that nurtures the next generation of watchmaking talent — De Bethune and Louis Vuitton unveil the LVDB-03 Louis Varius project: a contemporary reinterpretation of the 18th‑century Sympathique clock, paired with a travel‑inspired wristwatch derived from the iconic DB25 GMT Starry Varius. A unique encounter between two men “The first time I heard about Denis Flageollet I must admit, it left me very perplexed… It’s only after visiting De Bethune and seeing the extraordinary discipline and imagination behind every decision that I began to understand who he truly is: a modern-day Leonardo da Vinci.’’ Jean ArnaultDirector of Louis Vuitton’s Watchmaking Division Twelve Limited-Edition Timepieces for the Art of Travel Crafted and assembled at the De Bethune Manufacture, the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius offers instant indication of local and home time via a multi-disc display and a rotating GMT day/night sphere. Its sophisticated DB2507LV calibre features the Sympathique function: placed in its cradle, the watch is automatically rewound and synchronized with the LVDB-03 Sympathique clock for optimal winding and timekeeping. Twin self-regulating barrels deliver a five-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. A fusion of the two Maisons’ savoir-faire A collaboration where technical precision and creative artistry meet at the heart of both Maisons. The LVDB-03 Louis Varius project unites De Bethune’s mastery of horological complications and aesthetic refinement with Louis Vuitton’s travel heritage. The DB2507LV calibre with 6 De Bethune patents and innovations Regulation is ensured by a blued-titanium balance wheel, manually poised with white-gold inserts and paired with a balance spring featuring a flat terminal curve for enhanced stability and precision. A silicon escape wheel, combined with De Bethune’s proprietary triple pare-chute shock-absorption system, further reinforces chronometric performance. Manual poising of the blued‑titanium balance wheel with white‑gold inserts (De Bethune patent, 2016), performed by Ith within De Bethune’s Chronometry Atelier. Embraced by De Bethune Blue The LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius brings together Louis Vuitton’s signature case-making — seen in the Tambour Taiko’s satin-brushed, sandblasted and polished finishes and its double-finished lugs — with De Bethune’s mastery of heat-blued titanium and star-studded dials. The celestial surface is produced using an exclusive artisanal process developed at the De Bethune Manufacture. White-gold pins are individually set by hand into micro-perforations of varying sizes, creating depth and luminosity across the dial. The composition is further enriched by fine 24K gold leaves hand-applied by Élisabeth, a decorative artisan at the De Bethune ateliers. Surrounding the dial, a spherical day-and-night indicator completes two full rotations every 24 hours, offering a continuous and intuitive reading of time across zones. Based on De Bethune’s patented spherical moon-phase construction, the indicator is crafted in 5N rose gold and flame-blued steel, its deep blue hue achieved using a traditional alcohol lamp. Microsphere Day/night indicator in rose gold and blued steel using a decorative technique similar to that on the spherical moon phase – De Bethune Patent (2004) 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 Flageolet LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius: Mechanics, Poetry and Craft A versatile presentation, inspired by marine chronometers Anchored to a titanium base adorned with a marquetry of polished flame-blued meteorite, the clock is secured in its fixed cradle by a tilt-lock system. It can be set in multiple orientations echoing the adjustable presentation of historical marine chronometers and offering versatility in display. The Sympathique docking interface The docking interface — the key to the Sympathique function — is discreetly concealed beneath a domed, engraved cover on the upper tier of the clock. Crafted in rose gold, the dome is adorned with the constellation of Hercules, a subtle reference to the astrological sign of Louis Vuitton. 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. 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, De Bethune enlisted master engraver Michèle Rothen. Her task was monumental: over one metre of hand-engraved surface, each line drawn from François Schuiten’s original pen work. Using a traditional burin and chisel, Michèle Rothen sculpted the entire panorama by hand, evoking the great decorative clocks of the Late Renaissance. 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 Louis Vuitton
