Louis Vuitton Monterey Ceramic: A Tribute to the LV II Returns in Black and Green

Louis Vuitton is expanding the Monterey range with two new models crafted from polished ceramic. The 37-millimetre pebble-shaped case, the crown at 12 o’clock and the leather strap threaded through the case back remain unchanged. The new editions combine lacquered dials with the automatic in-house calibre LFT MA01.02. This marks the first time that the exclusive 2025 revival has become a regular collection within the Louis Vuitton product range.

Louis Vuitton’s first wristwatches

The history of the Monterey began in 1988 with the LV I and LV II, Louis Vuitton’s first wristwatches. They were designed by the Italian architect Gae Aulenti, who had previously transformed the Gare d’Orsay in Paris into what is now the Musée d’Orsay. Her watches, too, broke with convention: the circular, domed case did away with traditional lugs, whilst the crown at the 12 o’clock position was reminiscent of a pocket watch.

At the time, ‘Monterey’ was not the watch’s official model name. The name originated from the American pronunciation of the French word ‘montre’ and became established as a nickname amongst collectors. Whilst the LV I was made of precious metal and combined several displays, the more compact LV II was crafted from ceramic. It featured a quartz movement with a date and alarm function and stands as the direct inspiration for the two new models.

From collector’s item to permanent collection

Signs of the Monterey’s return had already been evident in recent years. Historic LV I and LV II models were attracting attention amongst collectors and, at the same time, reappearing in the brand’s fashion shows. There, they were worn not only on the wrist, but also as pendants or on belts as key rings.

The first step was taken in 2025 with a Monterey in yellow gold, limited to 188 pieces. It combined a 39-millimetre case with a white Grand Feu enamel dial and the LFT MA01.02 automatic calibre. The new ceramic models retain the mechanical design but, at 37 millimetres, return to the proportions of the original LV II from 1988.

Black and Green

The black Monterey, reference W0CR11, is most clearly inspired by the design of the LV II. The white lacquered dial features the two-tone design of the historic LV II: red for the railway-style minute track and the hour and minute hands, and blue for the seconds hand. This is complemented by a black calfskin strap with red stitching. Thanks to the polished ceramic, the dark case stands out clearly against the matt dial.

In contrast, the green W0CR21 features a case, dial and strap that create a largely uniform appearance. On the green lacquered dial, the hour and minute hands are yellow, whilst a white minute track and the blue seconds hand add structure to the dial. This gives this version a slightly more playful look than the black-and-white model, yet it remains very harmonious and balanced. On both models, the crown is made of stainless steel and is situated on the side of the case at the 12 o’clock position.

The ceramic models are 11 millimetres high, making them two millimetres thicker than the LV II. This is primarily due to the mechanical movement. However, thanks to the absence of lugs and the leather strap running directly beneath the case, the Monterey should still sit compactly on the wrist. The new Monterey ceramic models are water-resistant to 30 metres.

From ceramic blank to polished case

To manufacture the ceramic cases, Louis Vuitton first compacts zirconia powder and colour pigments into solid blanks. These are then shaped into their basic form using a three-axis machine and fired at over 1,000 degrees Celsius. As the material shrinks during this process and cannot be machined conventionally after firing, the final dimensions must be taken into account during the milling stage. After firing, the case is hand-ground into shape and polished to a high gloss.

The dials are lacquered in two to three stages and then given a matt finish to reduce reflections. The minute track, lettering and other markings are then stamped onto the dial and heated between each stage. With the green version, the particular challenge lies in matching the colours of the ceramic case, lacquered dial and leather strap as closely as possible.

The in-house calibre behind the solid case back

Inside, the same automatic in-house calibre is at work as was used in the gold Monterey from 2025. The LFT MA01.02 comprises 174 components, beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 45 hours. Its mainplate is circular-grained, the bridges are sandblasted and the rotor is made of 18-carat rose gold. Instead of red rubies, colourless sapphire bearings are used in this movement.

However, this refinement is not visible. The solid steel caseback preserves the Monterey’s historic design, whilst concealing the calibre’s intricate construction. Functionally, too, the reissue remains minimalist: it displays hours, minutes and seconds; the date and alarm functions of the original LV I/II have been omitted.

Price and availability

The black W0CR11 and the green W0CR21 are not limited editions and are available exclusively in Louis Vuitton boutiques. Sales of the Monterey will begin on 26 September 2026; however, Louis Vuitton has not yet announced a price for either model.

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