{"id":19553,"date":"2025-11-19T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/?p=19553"},"modified":"2025-11-21T16:26:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T15:26:06","slug":"gemstones-louis-vuitton-sails-for-a-new-escale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/gemstones-louis-vuitton-sails-for-a-new-escale\/","title":{"rendered":"Gemstones: Louis Vuitton sails for a new Escale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louis Vuitton launches 2 new Escale limited editions that integrate malachite and turquoise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A gemstone plinth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 40mm case embodies a true architectural feat, as it integrates a ring cut whole from the same stone as the dial, for an overall visual coherence. Around this mineral heart, the lugs, bezel, case back and platinum crown play with contrasts and cast light to the natural glow of turquoise and the mesmeric malachite strata. Both were praised during the Antiquity \u2013 turquoise, with its dark veins that resemble rivers, and malachite, with its distinctive green layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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True craft exploit \u2013 the 40mm case integrates an unsegmented hard stone ring cut from the same mineral as the dial.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton Matthieu Hegi drew his inspiration from the daring dress watches of the 1960-1980s to reinterpret this trend. \u201cEach [stone] is unique. [\u2026] It represents a one-of-a-kind work by nature. [\u2026] We just bring that beauty into focus<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Both lugs, bezel, case back and crown are made of platinum, a noble metal that underlines the natural glow of turquoise and malachite.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rewriting the rules of machining<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before holding the first pieces in their hands, the engineers of La Fabrique des Bo\u00eetiers [the Case Factory] nested inside la Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton had to completely shift their machining methods. Respecting micrometer tolerances when cutting a gemstone ring, while keeping the heterogenous internal structure of the mineral intact represents a feat rarely achieved in the watchmaking industry. First, each raw block is thoroughly analysed. Turquoise must present a vibrant blue surface with harmoniously-placed veins, while malachite has to display thin, regular and perfectly-horizontal bands to be aligned with the watch\u2019s frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As for malachite, only minerals presenting vibrant green tones are accepted. Thin horizontal bands are mandatory to harmonise with the watch\u2019s frame.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once cut, the ring undergoes a long hand-polishing process. This step cannot be handled by a machine: every inclusion, every internal variation requires the craftsperson to adapt instantly, almost intuitively. At this point, the once-matte-and-discreet mineral reveals its unique depth. Integrating an unsegmented gemstone ring to the signature outline of the Escale isn\u2019t just a mere aesthetic exercise. This operation required a total reengineering of the proportions and the internal geometry of the case in order to nest a dial that represents a true volume. A feat that intertwines technical precision and sense of design, but also a deep knowledge of the unique properties of every gemstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Integrating an unsegmented gemstone ring to the settled design of the Escale required engineering new proportions and internal geometries for the case.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, even if hard stones are present in the watchmaking industry, each mineral has its own irregular structure that makes the integrating process sensitive \u2013 especially when it\u2019s made on a 3D case. The craftspersons working on these new gemstone Escale models had to acknowledge this paradox: transforming the natural fragility of the material into a dramatic visual punch, at the very heart of the dial\u2019s architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turquoise must present a defined range of blue hues, with harmoniously-placed veins in order to be selected.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next comes the machining of the dial and the case to allow the addition of the 18ct white gold hours and minutes hands, the PVD-coated titanium seconds hand, the lugs and the crown. An extremely precise challenge, increased by the stones\u2019 sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Although hard stone dials aren\u2019t rare in the watchmaking industry, each mineral carries its own heterogenous structure, thus making the integration process in a 3D case particularly challenging.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once modeled, the components are hand-polished, revealing the depth and glow hidden behind the matte finishing of the previous steps. No machine can be entrusted with this work, as each gemstone presents its own internal relief, inclusions and irregularities. The polishing artisan must constantly adjust their movements, guided by their eye and their hand, to accompany the material and reveals its true beauty without denaturing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The gemstone is polished to reveal its true magnificence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An aesthetic echo: calibre LFT023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sapphire case back reveals the self-winding calibre LFT023, certified chronometer by Geneva Chronometric Observatory. The 22ct rose gold micro-rotor, engraved with numerous stylised V\u2019s, offers a power reserve of 50 hours. Micro-blasted surfaces, bevelled chamfers\u2026 the finishing enhance the dialogue between textures proper to this model. As a discreet nod to the Maison\u2019s codes, a saffron-colored sapphire indicates the use of platinum, according to the watchmaking tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The transparent case back unveils the self-winding calibre LFT023, certified High Precision Swiss Chronometer by Geneva Chronometric Observatory.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Water-resistant up to 30 meters, these Escale Turquoise and Escale Malachite aren\u2019t just watches \u2013 they are fragments of nature, modeled by an exceptional technical mastery and an undeniably-daring creativity. In an interlacing of textures and volumes, they are associated with a finely grained saffiano calf leather strap. On the one hand, the Turquoise edition presents an arroyo grey strap that matches the gemstone\u2019s vibrant blue, while on the other hand, the Malachite edition displays a rainforest green strap that enhances the lush green dial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Louis Vuitton Escale model \u2013 Platinum and Turquoise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u20ac65,500 \u2013 Each edition is limited to 30 copies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the technical specifications sheet of the Louis Vuitton Escale \u2013 Platinum and Turquoise.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the technical specifications sheet of the Louis Vuitton Escale \u2013 Platinum and Malachite.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical details:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case:<\/strong>
Platinum, polished bezel, brushed and polished lugs, turquoise or malachite case band
40mm diameter
10.34mm with the cambered sapphire crystal, 8.97mm without
Open case back set with a saffron sapphire (~0.04ct), platinum plate engraved \u201c1 of 30\u201d
Glareproof sapphire crystal
Water-resistant to 30 meters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dial:<\/strong>
Malachite dial and silvery satin-finished tilted flange
18ct white gold hours and minutes hands, PVD-coated titanium seconds hand
18ct white gold indices<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movement:<\/strong>
Calibre LFT023: self-winding mechanical movement
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
22ct rose gold micro-rotor
147 components
50-hour power reserve
28,800 vibrations per hour
32 jewels
Certified Chronometer by the Geneva Chronometric Observatory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strap:<\/strong>
Rainforest green saffiano calf leather and black calf leather lining \/ arroyo grey saffiano calf leather and beige calf leather lining<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buckle:<\/strong>
Platinum pin buckle with LOUIS VUITTON engraved signature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Louis Vuitton watches website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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