Louis Moinet’s innovative Compteur de Tierce of 1816 is considered to be the world’s first chronograph. Designed to time the passage of stars, what’s now known as the first stopwatch could measure events to the 60th of a second with start, stop and reset functions. In 2016, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of this creation, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet presented the Memoris, an original monopusher chronograph with its mechanism fully exposed through its dial. The latest versions of the model are colourful limited editions in lightweight titanium.
The Louis Moinet Memoris is an original take on the chronograph, displaying the chronograph mechanism on the dial side, in particular its driving command, with the column wheel at 12 o’clock and the horizontal clutch next to the counter at 9 o’clock. To offer an unimpeded view of this mechanism, the registers are fashioned out of transparent sapphire. The hour and minute indications are off-centred at 6 o’clock. The watch is now presented in three new colourful limited editions: in purple (the watch we had for shooting), red or green.
The Louis Moinet Memoris Superlight is powered by a proprietary movement (developed together with movement manufacturer Concepto), the self-winding calibre LM79. Although the chronograph steals the show on the dial, the other side of the movement is also visible through the exhibition caseback and reveals a gold-coloured guilloché rotor. This movement comprises no fewer than 302 components and is nicely finished. It runs at 4Hz and boasts 48 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The 46mm case is made of grade 5 titanium with a combination of polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Thanks to the used of titanium, the case weighs less than 31 grams, making it very comfortable on the wrist despite being a large watch. The two-part bezel is held in place by six screws. The crown is engraved with a Fleur de Lys and the mushroom-style chronograph pusher features a chequered motif for better grip. Water-resistance is rated at 50m.
The Louis Moinet Memoris Superlight is worn on an alligator leather strap with alligator lining and features a quick-release system. It is secured to the wrist with a folding clasp in the shape of a Fleur de Lys. A limited edition of 28 pieces per colour, it retails for CHF 26,000.
For more information, please visit www.louismoinet.com.