LVKV-02 GMR 6: Louis Vuitton And Kari Voutilainen’s Ultimate Travel Watch

Following its much-lauded collaboration with Rexhep Rexhepi in 2023, Louis Vuitton has once again turned to the world of independent watchmaking for an exceptional new creation. This time, the luxury maison has partnered with Kari Voutilainen, a master of traditional craftsmanship, to produce the LVKV-02 GMR 6—a travel watch that blends precision, artistry, and mechanical ingenuity. Based on the redesigned Escale case introduced in 2024, this extraordinary timepiece will be limited to just five pieces, each accompanied by a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk, further reinforcing its exclusivity.

The name LVKV-02 GMR 6 holds special significance, offering insight into the watch’s sophisticated functionality. The “GMR” designation highlights its dual-time capability, while the “R” represents the power reserve indicator. The number 6 refers to the placement of the home-time sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position, ensuring intuitive readability for travelers. The watch is the result of a remarkable partnership between two of Switzerland’s most revered watchmaking ateliers—Kari Voutilainen’s workshop in Saint-Sulpice and Louis Vuitton’s La Fabrique du Temps in Geneva—both of which have brought their distinct expertise to its development.

A Fusion of Tantalum and Platinum for an Unparalleled Case Design
The case of the LVKV-02 GMR 6 is a striking example of material innovation, combining the rare and highly durable tantalum with the timeless elegance of platinum. The mid-case is crafted entirely from tantalum, a metal prized for its deep, slate-gray hue and extraordinary resistance to corrosion. In contrast, the bezel, case back, lugs, and crown are made from platinum, lending the watch a refined brilliance that complements the darker tantalum. The platinum buckle on the strap ensures a cohesive aesthetic.

Measuring 40.5mm in diameter and 12.54mm thick, the watch maintains the Escale case architecture, originally introduced in 2014 for the Escale Worldtime—a timepiece designed with global travelers in mind. By choosing this case for the LVKV-02 GMR 6, Louis Vuitton preserves that heritage while modernizing it with the finest materials and finishing techniques.

Every aspect of the case undergoes meticulous hand-finishing, a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship behind this watch. The artisans at Louis Vuitton dedicate nearly an hour to perfecting each individual lug and spend another four hours carefully applying a satin finish to the tantalum mid-case. The dedication to artisanal excellence continues on the case back, which features an elegant engraving: “Louis cruises with Kari”—a subtle yet meaningful tribute to the creative collaboration between the two maisons.

A Dial Where Tradition Meets Art
The dial of the LVKV-02 GMR 6 is a masterclass in decorative artistry, bringing together multiple traditional métiers to achieve a breathtaking result. At the heart of the dial, artisans from Voutilainen’s atelier have applied a stunning guilloché pattern, meticulously engraved using antique machinery dating back to the 18th century. Surrounding this intricate centerpiece is an hour circle finished with diamond-polished edges, hand-painted by Maryna Bossy, an artisan at La Fabrique des Arts, Louis Vuitton’s prestigious Métiers d’Art workshop. Bossy’s miniature painting, which incorporates 28 different colors, took an astonishing 32 hours to complete, followed by an additional eight hours of kiln firing to achieve its luminous depth.

The day/night indicator is another remarkable feat of craftsmanship. First, the day/night disc is manually engraved by Voutilainen’s team, after which it is meticulously decorated using enamel techniques to depict the sun and moon in saffron and blue hues. A closer look at the enamel work reveals a hidden detail—the delicate outlines of Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram flower, subtly woven into the design. Completing the dial’s aesthetic, the Louis Vuitton logo is seamlessly integrated with Kari Voutilainen’s signature, symbolizing the union of two worlds—contemporary luxury and traditional watchmaking.

A Movement That Marries Mechanical Excellence with Art
At the heart of the LVKV-02 GMR 6 lies a manual-winding movement developed and meticulously finished in Voutilainen’s workshop. The GMR 6 caliber is a technical marvel, featuring two escapement wheels that deliver direct impulse to the balance via jewel bearings. This mechanism, an alternative to the traditional Swiss lever escapement, enhances energy efficiency and extends the power reserve. The result is an impressive 65-hour power reserve, with an indicator prominently displayed at the 12 o’clock position on the dial.

One of the movement’s most exquisite details is the miniature painting on the mainspring barrel cover, another creation by Maryna Bossy. This painstakingly hand-applied design incorporates 27 different colors and required five kiln sessions and eight hours of firing to achieve its vibrant finish. The ratchet wheel applique, crafted in white gold, further enhances the aesthetic appeal of the movement.

Constructed from German silver, the main plate and bridges provide both durability and a warm visual contrast to the polished steel components. The movement itself comprises 254 parts, including 32 jewels, with a large balance wheel designed in-house by Voutilainen. A closer look at the balance spring reveals a rare combination of curves—a Phillips terminal curve on the exterior and a Grossmann curve on the interior, a setup that optimizes stability and precision. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, this slow-ticking movement offers a distinctive cadence reminiscent of classical haute horology.

Straps and the Bespoke Louis Vuitton Trunk
The LVKV-02 GMR 6 comes with two meticulously crafted straps, each designed to complement the watch’s aesthetic. The first is a gray fabric strap lined with brown leather, offering a modern, casual appeal. The second is an anthracite alligator leather strap with a black leather lining, perfect for more formal occasions. Both straps feature a platinum pin buckle, harmonizing with the case’s luxurious material selection.

No Louis Vuitton special edition would be complete without an extraordinary presentation case, and the LVKV-02 GMR 6 is no exception. Each of the five watches will be delivered in a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk, crafted in the brand’s legendary Asnières workshops. Every trunk is hand-painted to mirror the intricate design of the watch’s dial, ensuring that the artistic vision extends beyond the timepiece itself. Each trunk is also individually numbered, corresponding to one of the five exclusive LVKV-02 GMR 6 watches, and features the “Louis cruises with Kari” signature.

An Exclusive Price for an Exclusive Creation
With only five pieces available worldwide, the LVKV-02 GMR 6 stands as one of the most exclusive travel watches ever produced. Its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative movement, and artistic dial decoration position it as a true collector’s item. Priced at €550,000, this timepiece is not merely a watch—it is a work of horological art, a testament to what happens when contemporary luxury and independent watchmaking converge at the highest level.