The unparalleled brand Louis Moinet never hesitates to explore new design territories, various shapes and colors, and create complex mechanisms for unique displays. In this spirit, Louis Moinet presents a unique titanium tourbillon dedicated to the Emirates' Mars mission “Hope Probe,” as well as new versions of its original Tempograph Chrome chronograph. We had the opportunity to spend some time with both models.
Louis Moinet Hope Probe Tourbillon: A Unique Model
Louis Moinet has released several watches with a “space” theme. The Hope Probe Tourbillon is a unique model dedicated to the Emirates' Mars mission, launched to create the first complete portrait of the red planet's atmosphere. The watch is housed in a 47.4 mm titanium case and features a planetary tourbillon (as seen in the Space Mystery model), with a large cage (13.59 mm in diameter) set on a planet rotating around it. As expected, in this case, the celestial body is represented by Mars. The miniature image of the planet is covered with dust from a Martian meteorite. Inside the cage floats a hand-painted image of the “Hope” probe on a plate of black aventurine, inlaid with a fragment of a lunar meteorite. The blue dial with an off-center hour and minute indication at the “6 o'clock” position is hand-decorated with a map of the Northern Hemisphere constellations.
If you turn the watch over, the case back offers an unobstructed view of the hand-wound LM48 caliber and a black case back featuring a hand-drawn image of an astronaut from the UAE. The watch comes on an alligator leather strap with blue stitching, fastening with a folding clasp. The retail price is 220,000 Swiss francs.
Quick Facts: 47.4 mm grade 5 titanium case - water resistance up to 30 m - hand-wound caliber LM48 - 21,600 vph - 72-hour power reserve - alligator leather strap - Louis Moinet folding clasp - LM-68.20.HP - unique piece - 220,000 Swiss francs
Louis Moinet Tempograph Chrome Limited Edition
Part of the Louis Moinet collection since 2014, the 20-second Tempograph model features a playful and engaging seconds indication paired with off-center hour and minute indicators at the “4 o'clock” position. The visible retrograde seconds mechanism is driven by a ratchet mechanism sliding over a three-armed cam of the retrograde snail, with a ruby to minimize friction.
The independent watch brand presents two limited editions of the Tempograph Chrome, each with 12 pieces, featuring green and black lacquered/guilloché decor. The watches are presented in a 44 mm steel case with a signature six-screw bezel, equipped with the LM50 caliber. This automatic winding movement, visible through the exhibition case back, operates at a speed of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 48-hour power reserve when fully wound. The watches come on an alligator leather strap and are secured to the wrist with a Louis Moinet Fleur de Lys folding clasp. The price is set at 23,000 Swiss francs.
Quick Facts: 44 mm titanium case - water resistance up to 50 m - automatic caliber LM50 - 28,800 vph - 48-hour power reserve - alligator leather strap - Louis Moinet folding clasp - 2 limited series of 12 watches each - 23,000 Swiss francs
For more information, please visit www.louismoinet.com.