Louis Vuitton Unity Time Object

2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of the partnership between Maison Louis Vuitton and UNICEF. In celebration of this milestone, the Maison unveils the piece unique Louis Vuitton Unity Time Object, an exceptional objet d’art at the intersection of football and horology.

The world of sport has been a continuous source of inspiration for Louis Vuitton, and the present Louis Vuitton Unity Time Object marries two of the Maison’s muses: sport and time, in anticipation of this achievement, and the next decade of the Maison’s ongoing commitment to helping and supporting the world’s most vulnerable children.

Paying tribute to Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram canvas ball, the unifying image of the soccer ball was deconstructed and reimagined through the lens of high horology, bringing together the Maison’s watchmaking expertise of La Fabrique du temps Louis Vuitton.

The Unity Time Object features an openwork form where hexagons and pentagons are interlinked, drawing directly from the soccer ball’s original quilted pattern. Sculpted golden steel dome-shaped discs form the upper half of the clock, displaying the hours and minutes through their rotation, while their motion is enhanced by the open-worked structure beneath. One rotating cylinder indicates the hours, while a second displays the minutes. The hour and minute displays are meticulously hand-set with 144 white diamonds for the hours and 120 black diamonds for the minutes, pairing of diamonds creating a bold visual impact. 

The unique clock reflects Louis Vuitton’s centuries-old DNA by embedding the codes of the Maison such as the LV Monogram minute track, and the golden brackets, studs and corners holding the skeletonized structure in place recalls the same protective elements found on Louis Vuitton trunks.

At the heart of the Unity Time Object beats a bespoke movement developed by L’Epée 1839, highlighted by the skeletonized design. The painstakingly hand finished design features subtle nods to the Maison with screws and movement plates crafted with the LV Monogram flower. To wind the clock or set the time, a key is inserted either on the side or top of the timepiece.

The Unity Time Object is presented in a trophy-style trunk in the emblematic Louis Vuitton Monogram canvas, an unmistakable design that has captivated travelers and tastemakers since 1896. Handcrafted by the craftsmen of the Maison’s historic ateliers in Asnières, where the House produces its most rare and special-order pieces, the trunk exemplifies the Art of Travel inherent to all Louis Vuitton creations. 

And keeping with this spirit of travel, the Time Object is currently on a world tour where it was presented at exceptional events including in the Paris, London, Dubaï, Tokyo, and Shanghai flagships, before culminating in a gala dinner in New York, attended by friends of the Maison. 

Sotheby’s is honored to present the Unity Time Object in a dedicated single-lot auction. The 10-day online auction marks this momentous decade milestone and proceeds of the sale will benefit UNICEF to support its life-saving humanitarian work for vulnerable children. 

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.

Following the close of the auction, Lot 1, the Unity Time Object (the “Time Object”), will return to the consignor for servicing at the consignor’s expense, and will return to Sotheby’s by no later than November 15, 2026. The Buyer will not be invoiced for the Time Object until the Time Object has been returned to Sotheby’s, and therefore collection or shipment to the Buyer shall also be delayed until after such servicing, invoicing and our receipt of payment in full. Furthermore, please note that: (A) risk of loss will not pass to the Buyer until the earlier of: (i) collection of the Time Object by the Buyer or its agent; or (ii) the 31st calendar day of the invoice being issued; and (B) the Buyer may cancel the sale if the Time Object has not been delivered back to Sotheby’s custody or control by November 15, 2026. 

In the event the Buyer exercises its Consumer Cancellation Right pursuant to Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers, the Buyer acknowledges and agrees to arrange for return shipping with Sotheby’s.