Introduction
Designed by renowned Italian architect Gae Aulenti and produced by IWC for Louis Vuitton, the Monterey II was launched in 1988 as one of the world’s first ceramic watches. Featuring a rather unique design, the Monterey II boasts a unique construction with a domed ceramic circular case sandwiched on top of a gold-plated caseback, with a gold-plated winding crown at 12 o’clock that controls a trio of syringe hands which operate the alarm function and its normal time-telling in conjunction with a crescent-topped pointer date hand. Boasting a white dial with Arabic numerals and a busy design with its railroad track, the Monterey II has grown from a place of relative obscurity to becoming one of watchmaking’s hottest vintage watches after it exploded onto the scene in 2023. Today, the Monterey II exists as a true neo-vintage obscurity, with its so-called ‘unicorn’ ceramic design – named after its crown at 12 o’clock – and unique strap system whereby a single length strap passes through the case, that has come to define Louis Vuitton’s early days in horology.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 8
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$5,000 – $8,000
The Details
Brand
Louis Vuitton
Dimensions
34mm
Model
Monterey II
Movement
Quartz IWC movement
Reference
Alarm
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Circa 1980s
Condition
Very good
Material
Black Ceramic
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
White
THE DIAL
Boasting a white dial with a railroad minute track, Arabic numerals and a pointer-date complication along its periphery, the Monterey II's display is a little on the busy side, but still abundantly clear and legible.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Perfectly symmetrical thanks to its crown being positioned at 12 o'clock, the Monterey II's ceramic construction has become a cult classic, with its heavily domed circular case's lug-free form fitting wonderfully on the wrist.
THE STRAP SYSTEM
Fitted with a gold-plated caseback that allows a single leather strap to pass through the entire watch, the Monterey II's strap system is certainly one of the more unique that we see on the market, with the watch floating freely along its strap until it is worn on the wrist.
Condition
The watch is in overall very good condition. The ceramic case shows a few minor marks, and the gold-plated surfaces display several scratches and marks, though the engravings remain fully legible and well defined. There is some wear to the screw heads on the case back. The dial is in very good condition, with visible bubbling around the 18/19 area of the date track. The leather strap is in excellent condition and is paired with the original LV-signed gold-plated buckle, which shows some surface scratches.
Our Perspective
Exploding in popularity in 2023 thanks to its obscure design, rarity, and cool story, the Monterey II has shown that there are truly exciting corners of watchmaking that still remain waiting to be discovered.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
