Introducing: The Louis Vuitton × De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius
Collaborations in high watchmaking are nothing new, but most stop at the wrist. The LA VDB-03 Louis Varius Project goes a step further by pairing a modern GMT wristwatch with a large mechanical clock designed to wind and reset it automatically. Developed jointly by Louis Vuitton and De Bethune, the project brings together a contemporary travel watch and a centuries-old horological idea, the Sympathique clock.
Louis Vuitton × De Bethune LVDB-03 Louis Varius
Rather than positioning the watch as a standalone object, the LVDB-03 project treats timekeeping as a system that links wristwatch, clock, and user through mechanics rather than electronics. It is an unusual approach in modern watchmaking and one that immediately sets the project apart.
A short history of the Sympathique clock
To understand the LVDB-03, it helps to look back more than 200 years.
The Sympathique clock was invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, one of the most important figures in horological history. The idea was simple in theory but extremely complex in execution — a master clock that could automatically wind and set a smaller portable watch when placed inside it.
At a time when pocket watches were less accurate and required frequent adjustment, the Sympathique offered a practical solution. A pocket watch’s owner would place it into the clock overnight and retrieve it in the morning, fully wound and precisely set to the master time. Breguet only produced a small number of original Sympathique clocks, making them rare even in his lifetime.
The wristwatch — A travel watch first
At the center of the project is the LVDB-03 GMT Louis Varius wristwatch. While its technical background is complex, the watch itself has a clear purpose — travel. And when talking about Louis Vuitton, that only makes sense, right? This collaboration watch is heavily based on the De Bethune GMT Starry Varius DB25VGR, which uses the DB2507 movement, but now in the typical Louis Vuitton design style.
The 45mm case is based on Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Taiko shape and made primarily from titanium. De Bethune’s thermal oxidation process gives the case its deep blue color, while platinum lugs add contrast and weight. And look at the insides of the polished platinum lugs, where you’ll find a bead-blasted finish for even more contrast.
Inside is De Bethune’s manually wound caliber DB2507LV. It offers a five-day power reserve and includes the functions most relevant to frequent travelers — hours, minutes, a second time zone (GMT), a jumping date, and a day/night indicator.
What sets this movement apart is its ability to interact with the Sympathique clock. When placed in the clock, the watch is automatically wound and regularly synchronized to the master time, removing the need for manual setting after travel.
A dial that balances design and legibility
De Bethune is known for its celestial dials, and the LVDB-03 continues that tradition. The central dial features a starry sky made using hand-set white gold pins and gold leaf on a blued titanium surface. Subtly integrated into the star map is the “LV” signature, visible only when viewed closely. Around the center, a rotating spherical day/night indicator shows the passage of time across 24 hours, using rose gold for daytime and blued steel for night.
The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius — The other half of the system
The second component of the project is the LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius clock. This is not simply a display piece but a fully functional mechanical clock designed to serve as a time reference for the wristwatch.
The clock’s movement comprises 763 components and provides an 11-day power reserve. It uses twin barrels and a constant-force remontoir to maintain stable energy delivery. When the wristwatch is placed into the cradle, the system engages automatically through the crown. Over several hours, the clock winds the watch and periodically resets it to match the master time.
One notable improvement over earlier Sympathique designs is usability. The watch does not need to be prepared or disassembled before docking. The wearer simply unbuckles the strap and places the watch into the clock. This is a small detail, but it reflects modern expectations of interaction.
Visually, the clock takes inspiration from marine chronometers, with an adjustable orientation and a heavy titanium base decorated with blued meteorite.
Engraved rotating dioramas surrounding the movement depict scenes of travel, reinforcing the project’s thematic link to exploration and movement.
Very limited production
The production numbers for these are extremely low. Only two complete sets — each including one clock and one watch — will be made, along with 10 additional wristwatches to be sold separately. Each piece will be delivered in a custom titanium Louis Vuitton trunk designed to protect the objects during transport and storage.
Some thoughts
The LVDB-03 Louis Varius is another example of Louis Vuitton’s mission to be a very serious player in high-end watchmaking. Whether you prefer the LVDB-03 Louis Varius watch or a De Bethune GMT Starry Varius DB25VGR is a matter of style. What makes it incredibly interesting is the combination of the watch and the Sympathique clock.
The LVDB-03 Louis Varius watch will be sold separately for €375,000, excluding taxes. The set has a retail price of €4,000,000, also excluding taxes.
