There are two things I associate with Louis Moinet. The first is the chronograph, since of course they quite recently dethroned Nicolas Rieussec as the original inventor with the unveiling of their 1816 Compteur de Tièrces. The second is a fascination with space, which serves as inspiration for designs like the Space Revolution and their recently launched Cosmopolis. Their latest release also looks to the skies for insight, placing a piece of rare lunar meteorite – hand-picked by you - at the centre of the tourbillon-equipped display. Meet the highly limited Louis Moinet Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon” watch…
“The future owners can personalise their watch by choosing from an exclusive selection of rare materials for the dial. This will make that watch absolutely unique. For the JULES VERNE “TO THE MOON” tourbillon, the dial becomes a canvas upon which the organic patterns of the lunar meteorite merge with the harmonious and regular lines of a traditional guilloché.”
- Jean-Marie Schaller, Owner & Creative Director of Louis Moinet
The Dial
Mystery Island - Credit Louis Moinet
The exclusivity of the Louis Moinet Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon” watch is not to be underestimated. There are just eight unique pieces of lunar meteorite that you can choose to place at the centre of the dial, and at the time of writing this, three have already sold. With their marble-like appearances, the stones have been found at different locations all around the world, differing slightly for their veins and colourings.
The central disc of lunar meteorite is then surrounded by a stunning periphery of guilloche. The grandeur of guilloche alone is a spectacle, but its bright green swirls and translucid varnish add a depth and brilliance even more impressive in contrast to the marbled centre. At 6 o’clock, a flying tourbillon complication is added and at the centre, skeletonised, rose gold hands point towards arrowhead-shaped markers to display the hours and minutes.
The Case
To the Moon - Credit Louis Moinet
The spectacle of a dial is surrounded by a case familiar to the Jules Verne Tourbillon series. The 40mm wide 5N, 18 carat rose gold architecture has flowing, taut lines with polished and satin finishing, openwork lugs and a well-sized fluted crown. On top, domed sapphire crystal glass provides exceptional legibility of the dial beneath.
There’s no mention to the case back, so we can’t confirm or deny whether this is exhibition or closed, but we do know there’s only a 30-metre water resistance, so the former is likely. For the strap, the Louis Moinet Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon” watch elects a black alligator strap with a folding buckle engineered from the same solid rose gold as the case.
The Movement
Under the Sea - Credit Louis Moinet
Fuelling the Louis Moinet Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon” watch is their manual-winding LM135 movement. It has a double barrel spring, also known as a volte-face system, which has one barrel mounted upside down over the other. They release their energy simultaneously allowing for an impressive power reserve of 96 hours. The movement also operates at a frequency of 28,800vph and has a total of 26 jewels.
As we mentioned, the Louis Moinet Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon” watch extremely limited with only 8 pieces being made worldwide. At the time of writing, three models have already sold so there’s only five left to choose from. As for the price, you’ll have to request that for yourself on Louis Moinet’s website.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Louis Moinet
- Model: Jules Verne Tourbillon “To the Moon”
- Price: Available on request
- Material: 18ct rose gold
- Movement: Calibre LM135, manual winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, flying tourbillon
- Dial: Green guilloche and bespoke piece of lunar meteorite
- Size: 40mm wide
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal
- Strap: Black alligator leather
- Limited: 8 pieces
