Louis Moinet Magistralis: A Unique Moonphase Watch With A 100-Year Old Movement

Swiss watchmaker Louis Moinet will introduce a one-of-a-kind timepiece, which incorporates a unique movement dating to over a century ago.  The "Magistralis"--as this singular piece of haute horlogerie is known--offers a minute repeater, a monopush chronograph, and a perpetual calendar complication which incorporates a genuine piece of a lunar meteorite expelled from the moon's surface more than 2,000 years ago.  

The manually wound movement of the Louis Moinet Magistralis watch was designed in the Vallée de Joux in the 19th century, and completed in Geneva.  Incorporating the finest in traditional haute de gamme finishing and constructive excellence, this complex masterpiece bears the Geneva Seal, one the most prestigious accolades of traditional watchmaking quality.  Notable elements of excellence include a self-compensating blued Breguet balance spring, flawless anglage finishing on the chronograph levers, and a lustrous specular polish on the hammers of the minute repeater, the escape wheel bridge cap, and the column wheel cap.  

The Louis Moinet Magistralis will be accompanied by an equally spectacular box.  Crafted by violin-maker Claude Bourquard from curly maple obtained in the Swiss Jura, the box is designed according to acoustical principles, which amplify the chimes of the minute repeater.  Special lateral compartments in the shapely box house another historical rarity: an original treatise by Louis Moinet, entitled "Traité d'Horlogerie".  Dating to 1856, the books contain a number of hand-drawn watch mechanism illustrations, each attributable to the master himself.

Born in 1768, Louis Moinet is historically regarded as one of the greatest watchmakers.  In addition to improving upon many existing horological techniques, he was also a friend and adviser to Abraham-Louis Breguet.  Les Ateliers Louis Moinet SA is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the famous watchmaker, through exclusive creations of horological luxury.