After taking flight in 2024 with the Montgolfière Aéro table clock, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton returns with another object designed to spark the imagination. This time, inspiration comes from the road. The House has reimagined its legendary early-20th-century Camionnette delivery truck as a sculptural timepiece—an object that bridges memory, mechanics and the enduring Art of Travel.
Originally used to transport trunks from the Asnières workshops to Louis Vuitton’s clients and stores, the Camionnette was a vital link in the House’s expanding network. Under the direction of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, these vehicles became symbols of progress and modernity. Today, they are recast as a poetic tribute to movement, craftsmanship and the joy of childhood imagination.
Heritage, Recrafted
“We wanted to honour the original appearance of this legendary vehicle, which tells the story of the earliest days of the House,” explains Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Crafted in lightweight aluminium, the Camionnette is finished in Louis Vuitton’s historic saffron and sibylline blue, with Monogram flowers subtly integrated throughout—from the hood to the rims.
The sides of the vehicle feature emblematic locations central to the House’s story, including Asnières, Geneva and the Champs-Élysées, reinforcing the dialogue between trunk-making and watchmaking savoir-faire. Details such as the ‘LV 1854’ licence plate and LV-signed tyres further anchor the piece in Louis Vuitton’s heritage.
A Mechanical Heart
At the centre of the Camionnette lies its beating heart. Developed in collaboration with L’Epée 1839, the Swiss mechanical movement features 218 components and an eight-day power reserve. The balance wheel is positioned within the driver’s cabin, visible through clear panels, while hours and minutes are displayed via rotating cylinders concealed beneath the hood—where the engine would once have been.
A miniature Monogram trunk concealed in the boot houses the winding and setting key, a playful nod to the Camionnette’s original purpose. “Far beyond an ornament, this key brings the Camionnette’s beating heart to life,” says Hegi, evoking the hand-cranked engines of early automobiles.
A Precious Interpretation
A limited edition of 15 precious versions elevates the concept further, crafted in gold and adorned with diamonds and sapphires. From a Monogram Star Cut diamond on the hood to gem-set headlights and guilloché Damier panels, the piece becomes a jewel-like expression of Louis Vuitton’s exceptional savoir-faire.
With the Camionnette, Louis Vuitton adds another chapter to its Objects of Time collection—creations that transcend traditional horology. More than a timepiece, it is a sculptural ode to travel, memory and imagination, delivering dreams wherever it journeys next.
