Launched in 1998 as a joint project of IWC and Louis Vuitton and designed by Italian designer Gae Aulenti two models were presented to the public. The Ceramic Alarm (present lot) was available in two ceramic finishes one black and one dark green. The case was made of zirconium oxide chosen due to its great resistance. The second model was a highly complicated quartz model with 10 functions called the Universal Time watch. Both watches were rapidly discontinued due to limited interest and are therefore fairly rare; they bear witness to a brief collaboration between the two manufacturers.