We heard during Baselworld about the “Chronosphere” a watch that combines a chronograph and a retrograde, but did not get to see it yet, kindly tell us more about it.
CHRONOSPHERE is a world first, combining a special retrograde system with a chronograph. This unique mechanism is located on the front of the watch, and very spectacular from a visual point of view.
At the heart of the system is a cam, which sets the pace of both the retrograde seconds system and a jumping disc that counts tens of seconds. CHRONOSPHERE’s design includes an element of fun: the system is constantly in motion. Its technical complexity is such that it could be protected by a whole host of patents.
The Mars, the Moon, Skylink are all watches related to space, where does Louis Moinet fascination with space come from? What can we expect more?
Mr. Moinet invented the chronograph in 1816 for the purposes of his astronomical observations. This connection with space is one of Louis Moinet’s three core values, along with mechanical art and design.
Devising and designing watches is a wonderful trade. In my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some of the greatest astronauts, including Alexey Leonov (the first man to perform a spacewalk) and Charlie Duke (one of the twelve men to have walked on the moon). I’ve also had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s leading meteorite experts.
As a result, Louis Moinet has made ‘space poetry’ a reality, expressed in a variety of ways in rare pieces, manufactured only in limited editions. Exclusivity is an important factor, not least because lunar and Martian meteorites sell for literally astronomical prices – they’re among the most expensive materials in the world! The resulting timepieces are therefore highly exclusive, made for a discerning clientele that seeks out genuinely precious acquisitions.
And in the future, here at Louis Moinet we do intend to explore the ‘space poetry’ theme still further.
Last year Louis Moinet introduced the Falcon, Ganesh & Mosaic watches in SDGC Abu Dhabi, do you have any new special editions for watch collectors and enthusiasts in the Middle East now?
It all began in 1806… Right from the outset, Louis Moinet supplied US Presidents, the Tsars of Russia, Emperors, and other sovereigns; and today, Louis Moinet’s clients also include Kings, Sultans, and Emirs.
For them and its other VIP clients, Louis Moinet has developed a bespoke line, the central idea of which involves combining mechanical art with the distinctive characteristics of a given culture. To ensure a powerful, characterful result, Louis Moinet collaborates with the foremost specialists in the relevant fields: engravers, ciseleurs, painters, and setters, often making use of exceptional materials such as dinosaur bone and fossilised palm tree alongside its very special mechanisms.
What is your approach towards e-commerce?
There’s no denying that we live in a digital world. Digital technology is disrupting the status quo on a daily basis, and we need to be attentive and flexible in response.
Generally speaking, e-commerce is definitely an interesting alternative; that said, in the field of top-of-the-range watchmaking, customisation plays far too great a role for e-commerce to be relevant. At best, e-commerce can serve as a virtual meeting-place; somewhere a watchmaking creation can be displayed. That might garner interest for the piece, but it will never be able to replace the human factor. You don’t buy a Louis Moinet because you need it; you buy one because you’ve fallen in love with it.
How have been social media improving and/or challenging your business?
Social media offer us a mirror image of the modern world: quick, effective, ubiquitous, and concise, allowing the buyer to know what’s what instantaneously. And that’s a challenge for retailers worldwide: they have to be constantly alert...
Instagram in particular is a very effective channel. A message can be sent out to a target audience made up of the brand’s collectors and fans, in an instant. We ourselves got started on social media several years ago, building up an extensive network of interested people all around the world. So I’d say that social media help us on a daily basis.
There is a lot going around the sustainable Luxury, do you have any intention to use ethical gold in Louis Moinet‘s watches?
Living in Switzerland encourages us to be environmentally-friendly. We strive to respect the world around us and not overuse its resources.
We’ve used shagreen only once, and systematically refused to do so ever since, because there’s no proof of origin. Our movements themselves are fully mechanical, causing zero pollution, unlike quartz.
When it comes to gold, there are strict sourcing rules to be observed. We haven’t used Fairtrade gold so far, because as yet only small quantities are available. I hope that the future will allow us to find an effective way of dealing with all kinds of overuse and abuse: we must protect both our planet and those who live on it.