The first wearable from Louis Vuitton is intended to look as much like a conventional watch as possible, coming to market two years after its sister company TAG Heuer unveiled their first smartwatch. Running on Google’s Android operating system and powered by a Qualcomm chip, the Tambour Horizon is likely the first in a suite of connected items to come from Louis Vuitton.

Based on the new, concave Tambour Moon watch case and 42mm in diameter, the Tambour Horizon is largish watch but small for a smartwatch (compared to the recent 46mm Montblanc smartwatch for instance). Compatible with both Apple and Android smartphones, the Tambour Horizon has everything a smartwatch is expected to, including email and text notification, fitness tracking, alarm, and world time, though it lacks a heart rate monitor. It charges via a magnetic dock and will run for a day on a full charge.

A multitude of watch faces are available, ranging from the brand’s Monogram to the Escale Time Zone. Further customisation can be done with the easily removable strap – unlocked via button on the rear – that is available in leather, fabric and rubber. Thirty different straps are available, and the straps will also fit the mechanical Tambour Moon watches, as well as be retrofitted to the first generation Tambour watch case.

The Tambour Horizon includes several proprietary features, including the Louis Vuitton City Guides. Originally a series of small books in paper, City Guides is integrated into the smartwatch and alerts the wearer to sights, shops, hotels and restaurants nearby. Another unique app is “My Flight”, which helps organise travel information like flight time, gate number, travel duration and so on, though these must be programmed into the watch in advance by emailing the e-ticket to an automated server.

And in a nod to the vast commercial potential of China, the Tambour Smartwatch is entirely compatible with the country’s social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo.

Interestingly, the Tambour Horizon is assembled in the United States, with the steel watch case produced in the same Swiss facility where conventional Louis Vuitton watch cases are made. Louis Vuitton did not reveal where the electronic insides are produced.

Price and availability 

The Tambour Horizon is available in three different case finishes: Graphite (brushed steel), Black (black-coated steel), and Monogram (polished steel). The steel models cost US$2450 or S$3700, while the black is US$2900 or S$4500. Those prices are for the watch on a black rubber strap, other straps cost extra and additional straps are also available separately.

A Singapore-based charity, Kidz Horizon Appeal helps fund medical treatment for disadvantaged children with terminal and chronic illnesses. For several years now the charity has raised money with auctions of one-off timepieces created by noted watchmakers, ranging from a Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Skeleton to last year’s Voutilainen GMT-6 in titanium.

This year Hublot and Greubel Forsey have each put together a one-off wristwatch, both donations from an anonymous benefactor. The watches will be sold during the Kidz Horizon Appeal gala dinner on August 19, 2017, with proceeds going to the charity.

Despite being the simplest watch Greubel Forsey produces, the Signature One still takes a no-expense spared approach to its construction and finish, with every component decorated to the same degree as in its most exotic tourbillon watches. The Signature One “Kidz Horizon” is the very first example of the rose gold Signature One, numbered “01/11”.

Its distinguishing feature are the bright red hour and minute hands, the only instance of such novel hands on a Greubel Forsey wristwatch. Additionally the wristwatch is engraved with the charity’s name on the movement bridge (though that is not shown in the stock image below).

Those features aside, the Signature One is identical to the production version, with a 41.4mm rose gold case containing an intricately hand-finished movement. On the front the highlight is a long, polished steel bridge that holds the oversized balance wheel. And while the dial for the time appears functionally constructed, it is actually a silver-plated disc of solid gold. For more detail of the gorgeous movement inside the Signature One, check out the our detailed photos of the steel version published last year (and the platinum model was unveiled earlier this year).

The Signature One in rose gold has an official retail price of SFr170,000, or about S$244,000.

Hublot turned to its signature All Black look for the Classic Fusion “Kidz Horizon”, which is based a prototype of the Classic Fusion All Black, continuing with the theme established by the Greubel Forsey. Originally a 500-piece limited edition introduced in 2008, the Classic Fusion All Black has long sold out, so this is a revival of sorts.

Typical of the All Black series – the monochromatic look is synonymous with Hublot – the dial is a matte black but paired with polished black hands and indices that catch the light and improve legibility.

It has a 45mm black ceramic case and the automatic HUB1100 movement inside (which is actually an ETA 2892). A Kidz Horizon logo printed on the underside of the sapphire back hides the movement, which is actually an ETA 2892.

The estimated retail price of the Classic Fusion “Kidz Horizon” is approximately SFr10,000 or S$14,300.

Bidding and donation details

Both watches are slated to be sold at an auction taking place during the Kidz Horizon gala dinner on August 19, 2017. All proceeds will go to the charity, which aims to raise S$1m that evening.

To bid on either of the watches, or make an outright donation, please contact Christine Gwee at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which administers the charity.

Correction July 20, 2017: The Greubel Forsey Signature One “Kidz Horizon” is numbered “01/11” and not “0/11” as indicated earlier.