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Louis Moinet AstroMoon

Well before I established Total Watch Reviews and started writing for other magazines I had a real passion for horology. Admittedly my taste and appreciation for fine watches has developed the more I have been exposed to the watch industry. Certainly speaking with numerous artists, designers and craftsmen/women has only stimulated my interest more. This prompted me to embark on an ambitious project with jet engineer and watchmaker Frank Heydrich. Certainly going through this process with him has given me a clearer understanding on how difficult it is to bring a timepiece to market. However I would say the challenge has been worth it and I have found the experience totally addictive.

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When I visited Baselworld in March (2015) I got to meet many of my watchmaking heroes. I also took the opportunity to show them the prototype watch (Polaris) that I had developed. One of the personalities that were the most encouraging was Jean-Marie Schaller from Louis Moinet. Even though Jean-Marie had an exceptionally busy schedule he took time out to closely inspect the watch. Ultimately this genuine act of kindness makes him a really rare commodity in the watch industry and distinguishes him from most of his peers.

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Without sounding too sycophantic I absolutely love what Jean-Marie and his team at Louis Moinet have achieved. Essentially they have become a sustainable luxury brand in a relatively short amount of time. This is a pretty monumental achievement considering the amount of well-established competition. At Baselworld I got the opportunity to test four of their watches. So far I have published reviews on the Derrick Gaz Tourbillon, Jurassic Watch and Memoris. The wonderful AstroMoon is the last hands on offering until I visit their booth again in March 2016.

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Dimensionally the AstroMoon exudes generous proportions without being too imposing. Certainly I love very large watches but felt the 46.5mm x 16.15mm 18-karat gold case compliments the sophisticated design. It also felt very comfortable and lightweight to wear. What makes this timepiece so amazing is the incredible amount of detail. Elements like the Dew-drop (“Gouttes de Rosée”®) hour/minutes hands and moon phase aventurine disc (containing two fragments of lunar meteorite Dhofar 459) are truly mesmerizing. Other details include a star shaped chronograph hand (inspired by Mr. Louis Moinet’s 1825 Julius Caesar clock) and a marvelous exposed tourbillon (located at 10 o’clock). Overall the composition is sophisticated and the finishing is absolutely first rate.

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Powering the watch is a complicated in house developed manual winding tourbillon movement. The Caliber LM29 comprises 28-jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. Each of the 374 individual components have been meticulously engraved, polished, beveled and decorated by hand. This incredible mechanism is visibly showcased via the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Functionally the AstroMoon features hours, minutes, seconds (displayed on the tourbillon carriage) chronograph and moon phase indications. The timepiece also has a power reserve of 46-hours and is water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.

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The AstroMoon is limited to only 28 pieces and has a hand stitched Louisiana alligator leather with a matching 18-karat gold folding clasp. Priced around €258,000 (approximately $281,000).

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For more information about Louis Moinet visit the company’s website: http://www.louismoinet.com

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