Louis Moinet launches the Black Moon
The Black Moon features an original moon phase display, featuring fragments of two lunar meteorites. One represents the full moon and one the new moon. It is a limited edition of 60 pieces.
Louis Moinet has just launched the Black Moon.
The Black Moon features an original moon phase display. Fragments of two lunar meteorites, one representing the full moon and one the new moon, are placed on a “domed central disc”, the first time in watchmaking. The red framed hour-marker at 3 o’clock indicates the current phase of the moon. Full moon is indicated when the red framed meteorite fragment disc aligns with the hour-marker at 3 o’clock.
The two lunar meteorites are from “two completely different rocks, confirming the geological diversity of our natural satellite.” One meteorite is deep black, and one is marbled grey.
Left: Dhofar 457. Right: Gadamis 005.
Dhofar 457
This deep black meteorite was discovered by Luc Labenne in the Dhofar desert (Oman) in 2001. He is a renowned meteorite hunter and a friend of Jean-Marie Schaller. “Dhofar 457 owes its intense black hue to its origin: a lunar crater. Following an initial impact on the Moon, a subsequent event dislodged a portion of the crater and propelled it into space, where it journeyed until it reached Earth, landing in the Dhofar desert, hence the name: Dhofar 457.” Luc Labenne remembers the full moon the evening he landed in Muscat, Oman in 2001. “That evening, the full moon shone with a particularly mysterious light.” The next day he discovered Dhofar 457. As a tribute, the fragment of Dhofar 457 represents the full moon on this timepiece.
Gadamis 005
This marbled grey meteorite was discovered by the crew of Apollo 16 (April 16 – April 27, 1972). Apollo 16 was the fifth Apollo mission to land on the moon. Their landing site was the Descartes Highlands, a region of lunar highlands on the near side of the Moon. Experts consider Gadamis 005 “to be the most beautiful lunar meteorite of all.” “It has an extraordinary structure and a mottled grey-white texture that suggests the enigmatic beauty of the moon when it reaches its most luminous phase.” On this timepiece, the fragment of Gadamis 005 represents the new moon.
“20 years after having acquired my first lunar meteorites, I felt like giving our nightly celestial companion a majestic vision. Rather than place her in an aperture, we preferred creating a large central disc with two meteorites cut from special rocks and representing the full moon and the new moon.
The BLACK MOON is a new concept for an astronomical moon. Thanks to a very particular mechanism featuring a gear wheel with 135 teeth, it boasts great precision – with a deviation of one day every 122 years.
Would this have pleased Louis Moinet, the man who invented a chronograph to track his astronomical observations? I really think it would have.” Jean-Marie Schaller, Owner and Creative Director of Louis Moinet.
Key Features
Functions and Complication
The Black Moon’s functions and complications include:
– Central Hours and Minutes.
– Small Seconds indicator at subdial on 9 o’clock.
– Central Astronomical Moon display.
Dial
The Black Moon’s dial features include:
– Its dial is made of aventurine.
– Its central moon disc is domed and sand-blasted, and features fragments of two lunar meteorites. Dhofar 457, framed in red, represents the full moon, and Gadamis 005 represents the new moon.
– The hour-marker at 3 o’clock is made of red anodized aluminum and coated with luminescent material (SLN).
– The other 10 hour-markers are rhodium-plated and coated with luminescent material (SLN).
– The hour and minute hands are facetted and skeletonized, and coated with luminescent material (SLN).
– The small seconds hand at 9 o’clock features a compass pointer design. It “uses its longer end to count off the first 30 seconds on the upper track. The shorter hand then comes around to tick off the next 30 seconds on the lower track.”
– The dial is open between 8 and 10 o’clock, providing a view of the balance wheel, escapement and bridges.
Case
The Black Moon’s case features include:
– Its case is made of grade-5 titanium, polished and satin-finished. It features “sleek, modern lines.”
– Its case diameter is 40.70 mm.
– Its lug width is 20 mm.
– On its dial side it features a domed sapphire crystal, “a high-tech feat in itself that enables one to appreciate the depth and detail of the dial.”
– On its caseback side it features a sapphire crystal.
– It features open worked lugs.
– The crown at 3 o’clock features the emblem of the brand, “a beautiful Fleur de lys.”
– It is water resistant up to 50 metres.
– It comes with a black alligator leather strap featuring a folding clasp.
– The timepiece weighs 18 grams; an exceptionally light timepiece.
Movement
The Black Moon is powered by Manufacture Calibre LM110.
– It is a mechanical self-winding calibre featuring a screw balance.
– The rotating astronomical moon complication is driven by a complex mechanism. Its gear train includes a 135-tooth wheel that provides “excellent precision”, with a deviation of just one day in 122 years.
– Its redesigned winding rotor has a modern and sophisticated look, featuring “an elaborate construction that features assertive lines.” Being open worked, it provides an additional view of the calibre.
– It has 29 jewels.
– It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
– It has a power reserve of 48 hours.
Our Thoughts
Louis Moinet’s Black Moon is an original interpretation of the classic three-hander timepiece with a moon phase display. They have completely reimagined how the moon phase or lunar cycle is displayed and indicated on a timepiece, driven by a complex mechanism underneath the dial. Its meticulous attention to detail – case, dial, movement, and movement finishing – all point to an exceptional haute-horology timepiece. While I have not seen the Black Moon as yet, based on pictures and supporting information, I find it extremely tempting. We look forward to reviewing the Black Moon soon.
Additional Details
Name: Louis Moinet Black Moon
Reference: LM-110.20.50
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 26,000
Limited to 60 pieces. Please contact Louis Moinet if interested.
Also Read: https://thecorneaimpression.com/louis-moinets-breathtaking-new-geopolis-opal/
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