The Louis Moinet Astralis is an innovative watch unlike any other. Its extremely high level of technical sophistication is highlighted by a legendary mechanism stemming from an authentic passion for fine watchmaking. Astralis features an exclusive and unprecedented alliance of complications: an astral Tourbillon, a split-second column-wheel Chronograph, as well as a 24-hour Planetarium displaying four meteorites boasting unique rarity.
Entirely redeveloped on the basis of the historical Venus LM27 calibre, the entire escapement of the Astral tourbillon is mounted on a mobile carriage. The plate is made from aventurine, finely chased and measuring a mere 0.03 millimetres thick – a major technical feat in itself. Aventurine perfectly evokes a star-studded sky and thus creates a delightful stellar backdrop for the technical nature of the tourbillon.
The spectacular split-second mechanism is highlighted in an original way. The column wheel is made in blued steel, and the famous split-second clamps are made all of a piece. The rattrapante bridge is hand-engraved with a shooting star motif.
The 24-hour planetarium mechanism revolves once a day and successively displays four planets, embodied by fabulous meteorites:
- Mars : Louis Moinet is the first and only watch brand to present an authentic meteorite originating from the planet Mars,
- Mercury : embodied by what is doubtless the world’s most precious meteorite, Sahara 99555,
- the Sun : depicted by the extremely beautiful Itqiy meteorite, an asteroid that formed near the sun,
- the Moon : Louis Moinet has played a pioneering role as the only watch brand to use a lunar meteorite (Dhofar 459).
Astralis case is crafted in the warm shades of rose gold 5N, and its polished finish lends it a distinctive glow. This highly complex case involves the manufacture of 50 different elements that are then meticulously assembled. The technical feats involved include the unique interchangeable crown tube system for which an invention patent has been filed.
In order to ensure the purest possible design, Astralis features an ergonomic approach to the split-second function which is integrated within the crown.
Astralis comprises the distinctive characteristics of the Louis Moinet universe: the dial with its dedicated Côtes du Jura motif, the Gouttes de Rosée (dewdrop) hands, and the brand’s signature case structure. It also features some subtle philosophical nods such as the split-second hand adorned with a shooting star, or the pushers adorned with a wind rose.
The Louis Moinet Astralis is a limited edition of 12 watches, each of which calls for extreme attention and considerable assembly time.
