The story behind iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton — best known for its esteemed handbags, crossbody bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing and more — is one of craft and innovation in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and furniture.
The company’s modest origins can be traced back to when its founder, Louis Vuitton (1821–92), wishing to free himself from the conventional lifestyle in his provincial French city of Anchay as well as a difficult stepmother, left in the early 1830s to make a new life in Paris. The young Vuitton was 13 at the time and would need to travel on foot to get to the capital, which was hundreds of miles away. With stops along the way to make money so that he could forge ahead, the journey took a couple of years, but reward was close at hand.
When he arrived in Paris, Vuitton made a living with his hands. He toiled as a box maker and packer for more than a decade and built relationships with royals and members of the upper class while working for the empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo. In 1854, Vuitton launched his namesake company. The craftsman opened a humble workshop on rue Neuve des Capucines and advertised his services with a small poster that read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.”
Long before his brand would become known globally for its exemplary top-handle bags and stylish totes, Vuitton produced stackable and rectangular trunks. The most common trunks of the era were round, which weren’t ideal for toting and storing. In 1858, Vuitton debuted his lightweight, handcrafted canvas trunks, which were sturdy, rugged and equipped with convenient compartments. Travel’s popularity broadened in the late 19th century, and Vuitton’s trunks could easily be packed into train cars and ships — upright trunks meant hanging wardrobe storage that would allow his clients to transport their sophisticated garments without worry. Demand increased and the company grew. When Louis Vuitton died in 1892, control of the luxury house was passed onto his only son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1914, a Louis Vuitton store opened at 70 Champs-Élysées. The largest travel-goods store in the world at the time, it became the company’s flagship.
The Louis Vuitton brand embodies all the attributes of luxury, from the craftsmanship, exclusivity and relevance to heritage. It’s only appropriate that it boasts one of the most recognizable insignias — the imaginative interlocking of letters and fleurettes — in the fashion world. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted new line of travel trunks. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion branding.
The LV monogram would soon appear on everything from bags and various fashion accessories to alligator-skin champagne cases, from stylish apparel and earrings to teddy bears and airplane models.
On 1stDibs, the unmistakable insignia can be found on both modern and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, suitcases, original 19th-century trunks, jackets and more.
Louis Vuitton Automatic Tambour Damier Cobalt Chronograph Watch
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Rome, Rome
Discover the perfect blend of sophistication and functionality with the Louis Vuitton Stainless Steel Tambour Damier Cobalt Chronograph Watch. A true statement piece, this watch is a...
Louis Vuitton Classic Tambour Swiss Watch
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Classic and timeless Louis Vuitton Tambour. This elegant watch collection was launched back in 2000. Since then, it has known as the brand’s signature style watch. It is offered in different styles for the Man or Woman. The Tambour, which also means drum was first inspired by the Japanese Kodo drummer with their Taiko drums...
Stainless Steel
Louis Vuitton Tambour Lovely Cup Chronograph Watch
By Louis Vuitton
Located in London, GB
Louis Vuitton Tambour Lovely Cup Chronograph Watch Mother of pearl watch face set in a stainless steel case. Date display, chronograph dials, LV motif dial. Outer case is engrave...
Stainless Steel
14K Gold and Diamond Omega Constellation Watch Vintage
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
A vintage 14k yellow gold (tested), Omega Constellation wrist watch with round brilliant cut diamond numerals, approx. .16 carats. The diamond hour markers further elevate this beaut...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mido Multifort, Superautomatic, Powerwind, Watch 1950s
By Mido Watch Company
Located in Roma, Lazio
Mido Multifort, Superautomatic, Powerwind, 50' Movement and function: self-winding cal. 917P sweep seconds Case: stainless steel 34,5 mm screw back...
Steel
Cyma Time-O-Vox, Cymaflex, Watch 1950s
By Cyma
Located in Roma, Lazio
Cyma Time-O-Vox, CYMAFLEX, Ref. 1283, 50’, N.O.S. Movement and functions: hand winding cal. R.464 vibrant alarm, function that is set and released by the top and bottom buttons fl...
Rose Gold, Steel
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time Preowned Custom Wrist Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Florence, IT
Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Reference number: 26120ST.OO.1220ST.03 Model: Royal Oak Dual Time Diameter: 39 mm Color Custom: Black Material: ...
Stainless Steel
$2,500
W 0.57 in L 0.57 in
Vintager Square Face 18k Gold and Diamond and Ceylon Sapphire Ladys Wrist Watch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage 18k gold ladies wrist watch, square face with gold weave chain band with diamond and ceylon sapphire encrusted details, clasp closure with security chain, stamped and numbere...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Oversize Omega Wrist Watch ca' 1947
By Omega
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
An Omega wrist watch ca' 1947. Oversize steel case measuring approx. 37.5 mm. Reference 2609. Robust construction, movement #265. Original dial with patina.
Vetta Stop Second, Antimagnetique, Rare Watch, 1950s
Located in Roma, Lazio
Vetta Stop Second, Antimagnetique, rare, 50’ Movement and functions: hand-winding cal. E1168 stop seconds Case: stainless steel 38 mm Dial: silver cream yg indexes and numerals...
Steel
$22,800
H 0.99 in W 0.67 in
Cartier Panthere Mini Diamond 18K White Gold Watch with Certificate and Box
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Panthère de Cartier Mini (ref. 2363) delivers timeless elegance in a refined, compact form. Crafted in gleaming high-polish 18 karat white gold, the 25mm x 17mm case features...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$8,500
H 1.3 in W 1.3 in Dm 1.3 in
Eterna Eternamatic Centenaire Vintage 1950's 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch
By Eterna
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A beautiful and rare, time capsule Eterna 18k gold watch with matching 18k gold bracelet. Original box, hang tag, very good/excellent condition-unpolished, inside case free of jewelers marks...
18k Gold
Concord Swiss Full Diamond 18K Gold Ladies Watch
By Concord Watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and luxurious Concord ladies' Les Palais wristwatch features a 21mm solid 18k yellow gold case and bracelet set with glittering original Concord factory diamonds. The watch features reliable Swiss quartz movement. The classic round watch face is fully pavé-set with fine natural white diamonds (G to H color/VS clarity) on both the bezel and the dial. The dial features elegant gold-tone hands and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is in excellent condition. The case features inverted diamond-set crown for ease of time setting. The shimmering diamond brilliance continues seamlessly from watch face across its diamond-set lugs to the full-length of its five-row graceful bracelet. Double-deployant clasp keeps the watch secure on the wrist. There are approximately 6 carats of diamonds in total set in this opulent watch. The watch fits a wrist size of up to 6.6 inches (16.85cm), while links can conveniently be removed to accommodate smaller wrist sizes. The watch dial, movement, case, and bracelet are all signed Concord. Additionally, the caseback is engraved with watch reference number and case serial number, along with the stamp for 18 karat gold. The watch is in overall excellent condition and comes with a fitted watch box. A testament to high-quality Swiss watchmaking and radiating luxurious elegance this watch is certain to light up the wrist. Further details: Model: Concord Les Palais...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
NAUTICA, Watch 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
NAUTICA, Chronograph Code N 16566G Movement quartz chronograph Case stainless steel Ø 47 mm Dial black Features original leather band With original box
Steel
Hermes Watch Nantucket Rose Gold 18k Small Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Nantucket Small Model watch featured in 18k Rose Gold. This beautiful watch is the 29 mm small model with Rose Gold bracelet. White Mother of Pearl dial w...
Rose Gold
Louis Vuitton Automatic Tambour Damier Cobalt Chronograph Watch
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Rome, Rome
Louis Vuitton stainless steel Tambour Damier Cobalt Chronograph Watch. The dial has a Damier Cobalt pattern with red and white printed V Logo. Automatic movement, Swiss Made. Stainle...
Louis Vuitton Monogram Montre Quartz Watch w/ Box & Guarantee rt. $2, 900
By Louis Vuitton
Located in New York, NY
Louis Vuitton Monogram Montre Quartz Watch. Features brown sunray dial with silvertone numeral markers. Strap can be switched out. Year of Production: 2017 Made In: Switzerland and...
Louis Vuitton Unisex Tambour Slim Monogram Macassar 39 Watch
By Louis Vuitton
Located in New York, NY
Louis Vuitton Unisex Tambour Slim Monogram Macassar 39 Watch. Features brown sunray dial with opalescent Monogram flowers pattern, black flange and minute track. Strap can be switch...
Stainless Steel