Louis Moinet (1768–1853) is one of the grandfathers of horology, a pioneer and inventor, and credited with the invention of chronograph which he called the “compteur de tierces”. His exquisite clocks were owned by many historical figures far and wide including Napoleon, the Tsar Alexander I, King George IV of England, Marshal Murat–King of Naples, Ernest Augustus–Prince of Hanover, and two American presidents–Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Several of his masterpieces are found in museums and private collections including the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Château de Versailles, the White House and Jefferson’s Monticello Museum, Virginia.
Louis Moinet was a modest academic, who shared his research with fellow horologists, rather than a businessman in pursuit of profit. His peers regarded him as one of the greatest horologists of all time. He was appointed president of the Chronometry Society of Paris and devoted 20 years of his life to writing the greatest book on horology in its time, the Traité d’Horlogerie, which comprises detailed descriptions and diagrams of the finest watchmaking techniques.
Jean-Marie Schaller, Louis Moinet CEO and Creative Director founded the company in 2001 with the same dedication to artistry, invention and unique design. Louis Moinet is located in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland. It’s timepieces are identified with “Côtes du Jura” guilloche dials, “Gouttes de rosée” hands, and distinctive cases with screwed bezels. Another signature feature of Louis Moinet is the use of extremely rare materials, such as tropical fossilised palm wood and dinosaur bone, or wondrous meteorites hailing from the Moon or Mars. The rarity of Louis Moinet timepieces exists because very few models are manufactured in any quantity, often limited to less than 30 pieces, and sometimes are unique one-of-a kind creations.
The Vertalor Tourbillon, reference LM-35.50.55 is one of only 28 pieces produced by Louis Moinet. It is quite possibly the greatest chronometer ever made, winning gold in 2015 for Excellence in Precision by the Concours International de Chronométrie.
The center of the dial is created from a Moon meteorite fragment. The luminous star-shaped second hand is inspired by the Louis Moinet 1825 design in his Julius Caesar clock. The hour and minute hands are shaped as “Gouttes de Rosée” (Dew Drops). The Bridge and case is made from 18k gold. Each hour is marked by cuts of diamond.
The movement has a power reserve of 72 hours and the mechanism is visible through the case-back and partially through the front of the dial where the 60-second tourbillon cage maximizes timekeeping precision. Both sides are protected by anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The timepiece oscilates at 21,600 vph with a frequency of 3 Hz. It is decorated by the Côtes du Jura engraving. The case is a significant 47 mm in diameter. The water resistance supports up to 90 feet. The strap is a hand-sewn Louisiana alligator leather.
Rubber B has designed 6 leather bracelets for the Vertalor Tourbillon, reference LM-35.50.55. The two black leather bracelets are available in genuine alligator or full grain leather with the patented Rubber B vulcanized rubber base for comfort and durability.
The Rubber B bracelets are made in Switzerland out of pure vulcanized rubber with leather stitched on top. The Rubber B Structure Series bands are fitted with a 316L Stainless Steel tang buckle–providing a durable clasp which provide excellent support for a sports watch of this caliber. For more information visit the Rubber B structure series page here.
