Louis Vuitton has introduced two new ceramic versions of its Monterey watch, expanding the permanent collection. Originally launched in 1988 and designed by Gae Aulenti, the "Monterey" (a nickname derived from the French word for watch, "montre") is now presented with cases crafted from a high-density ceramic blend, offering enhanced durability and a unique aesthetic. These new models feature an in-house automatic movement, a departure from the original quartz calibres.
- 37mm case diameter
- 11mm thickness
- 30 metres water resistance
- 45-hour power reserve
The ceramic case is manufactured by first compacting a blend of zirconium oxide and pigments into a solid bar, which is then sculpted using a three-axis machine before being fired at over 1,000°C.
The original 1988 Monterey watch, designed by Gae Aulenti, was Louis Vuitton's first wristwatch and was nicknamed "Monterey" by Americans.
The black ceramic model (ref. W0CR11) has a high-polish finish that can appear gunmetal grey depending on the light, while the green variant (ref. W0CR21) features a tone-on-tone green dial.
The green dial model features yellow lacquered brass hands, a subtle reference to the stitching on Louis Vuitton leather goods, while the black ceramic model has matte white hands with red accents.
The in-house Calibre LFT MA01.02 movement is decorated with circular graining on the mainplate and micro-sandblasted edges on the bridges, using colourless sapphires instead of traditional red rubies.
The crown, positioned at 12 o'clock, is made of steel and features a Clous de Paris finish.