When Louis Vuitton introduced the original Escale Worldtime at Baselworld in 2014, it surprised the watch world. Not so much because of the technical part but because of the attitude. Worldtimers were and are conservative objects that are often tied to Louis Cottier's almost 100-year-old model and have a largely common image. The Escale broke with this tradition with color, symbolism and a dial that looked nothing like a classic complication, and many followed suit and tried to offer new concepts. Over a decade later, following the relaunch of the Escale as a time-only watch in 2024, the return of the complications we just saw is very welcome and even overdue, but our patience has been fully rewarded.
In addition to the 2026 Twin Zone models and an impressive minute repeater, Louis Vuitton and its watchmaker La Fabrique du Temps brought back the world time complication (with a central tourbillon version), this time with far greater mechanical maturity, improved legibility and a level of workmanship that shows what a great specialist La Fabrique du Temps (and its subsidiaries La Fabrique des Arts – Crafts – and La Fabrique des Boîtiers – housing manufacturer). it really is. We spent time with the new Escale Worldtime watch; Here are our impressions.
A compact yet tight case
The first thing you notice is how compact and dense the new Escale Worldtime feels. The 40mm platinum case, at 10.3mm thick, is slimmer than many contemporary world time watches and far more wearable than the visual complexity of the dial would suggest. Platinum has the usual heft (yes, some of us like it heavy), but the proportions ensure it doesn't feel awkward.
The Escale's signature tabs (identify the brass brackets and corners of Louis Vuitton suitcases) remain the defining element. They sit on a brushed case band and thus create a beautiful, intentional contrast. Up close, their execution is superb: sharply defined, highly polished, with internal bevels to capture the light in different ways. The octagonal crown, another Escale hallmark, is clear and tactile. The caseback reveals the movement and a discreet detail: a saffron-colored sapphire, Louis Vuitton's trademark for platinum cases, opposite the number plate. The water resistance is 50 m.
Color, finish and control of the dial
The dial brings back emotions as the hand painted flags return. The 24 miniature flags are arranged as a city ring for the world time function and represent the world's major time zones, but are not national flags or nautical signals. Instead, each motif is based on Louis Vuitton's own designs: monogram flowers, Damier patterns, malletage linings and historical trunk markers.
The level of detail is remarkable. The miniature painting is made by two artisans at La Fabrique des Arts and uses 35 colors applied individually. Each layer of paint is dried in the oven before the next is applied, meaning a single dial takes around a full week to complete. As you can see, the result is colorful and dimensional, with a noticeable relief that becomes visible as light travels across the surface of the dial.
At the center is a grained blue dial that's understated enough to soften the intensity of the flag ring, yet rich enough to avoid appearing flat. The biggest development is functional. The original Escale Worldtime from 2014 was visually bold but not particularly intuitive. The rotating disks and triangular pointer took some getting used to, and legibility was definitely not its strong point.
That is no longer the case. The new Escale Worldtime features a jumping hour disc that clicks into place every hour and also features a central minute hand. All settings – city ring, hours and minutes – are made via the crown. The jumping display alone changes the experience: the time is now immediately readable without losing the character that made the original so special.
A new internal movement
The watch is powered by the new caliber LFT VO 12.01, manufactured in La Fabrique du Temps. With a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 62 hours (almost double that of the 2014 model), it is the brand's latest generation of automatic movements, sharing technical solutions with smaller calibers of the recent Convergence and Spin Time models. The workmanship of the movement is exactly as it should be at this level: sandblasted bridges, polished facets, colorless stones and an 18k rose gold rotor.
On the wrist
Worn on a blue leather strap with a platinum pin buckle, the Escale Worldtime feels much more versatile than its dial suggests. Despite the obvious craftsmanship “complexity,” it behaves like a travel clock: intuitive, readable, and useful across time zones. The watch sits comfortably under a cuff and never feels oversized. Look at the photo where it is fitted on a 16.5cm wrist. it does take up space, but the image is relaxed.
Availability and price
At 95,000 euros or $94,500The Escale Worldtime is in the realm of high complications and represents another significant advancement for Louis Vuitton as a watchmaker. With the return of the Worldtime, the introduction of the clever Twin Zone and the expressive Escale minute repeater, the Escale collection has found its full potential. And at its core, this Worldtime feels like the watch that makes the most sense historically, aesthetically and for the wearer.
For more information, visit louisvuitton.com.