Louis Moinet’s flying satellite double tourbillon, ASTRONEF, has been recognised by the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, winning a Platinum award in the Fashion Design category.
This is the fifth consecutive time that Louis Moinet has been rewarded by this international competition for the avant-garde design of its creations.
The MUSE Design Awards is a leading international award competition that was created by the International Awards Associate (IAA) in New York in 2015. This competition promotes excellence in various design industries by providing professionals and brands with a platform to compete on the world stage.
ASTRONEF – A mechanical masterpiece
The ASTRONEF mechanism required more than three years of research. The recently introduced technology showcases two tourbillons rotating in opposite directions at high speed.
ASTRONEF gives life to a captivating animation, which unfolds before the wondering gaze. In all, six distinct elements are in motion: two satellite tourbillons rotating around the dial, as well as their two cages and their two counterweights. The tourbillon cages are geometrically shaped. The weight of a cage is only 0.25 grams, in order to guarantee the correct speed through fine poising. Each cage rotates in 60 seconds and requires perfect poising, which also relies on an 18K gold counterweight weighing 0.4 grams.
ASTRONEF has been designed to instill a sense of movement, whatever the angle from which it is viewed. Fluid on the outside, original on the inside, it features an absolutely unique and distinctive aesthetic.
“ASTRONEF can be regarded as one of the most important superwatches of the decade” – Jean-Marie Schaller
Louis Moinet ASTRONEF propels us into the exclusive world of uncompromising modern watchmaking. It is heir to both ancestral know-how and an unyielding desire to create the design of tomorrow. Its character combines adrenaline and contemporary art. ASTRONEF adopts the technology developed for SPACE REVOLUTION, yet only the tourbillon specifically recalls their kinship.
The quintessence of design
“Produce an excellent and curious effect”: this maxim upheld by Louis Moinet (1848) was our starting point for designing Louis Moinet ASTRONEF. The idea is to push back known limits, just as Louis Moinet did in his time – notably by inventing the chronograph in 1816.
The ASTRONEF mechanism required more than three years of research. Given its totally innovative character, its development was even considered impossible at various stages of research and almost discontinued. The fact that ASTRONEF was finally able to see the light of day was due to the concerted efforts of the finest watchmakers and engineers.
Today, one can safely state that Louis Moinet ASTRONEF is one of the most important superwatches of the decade.
New technology results in a unique design
Louis Moinet ASTRONEF showcases recently introduced technology involving two tourbillons rotating in opposite directions at high speed. They cross paths 18 times per hour (every 3 minutes and 20 seconds) and are built on two different levels.
This gives life to a captivating animation, which unfolds before the wondering gaze. In all, six distinct elements are in motion: two satellite tourbillons rotating around the dial, as well as their two cages spinning on their axes and their two counterweights in 18K gold.
The volumes of the ASTRONEF gave been designed to hint at a sense of motion, whatever the angle from which it is viewed. Fluid on the outside, original on the inside, it features an absolutely unique and distinctive aesthetic.
Two spectacular tourbillons
The tourbillon cages are geometrically shaped. The weight of a cage is only 0.25 grams, in order to guarantee the correct speed through fine poising.
Each cage rotates in 60 seconds and requires perfect poising, which also relies on an 18K gold counterweight weighing 0.4 grams.
Secrets of an exceptional mechanism
Double inverted tourbillon
For enhanced accuracy
Perfect rotation and poising of the rotating elements
Five ball-bearing mechanisms composed of seven ceramic bearings
One ball-bearing mechanism composed nine ceramic bearings
Two barrels
Each supplies its energy to the tourbillon
Ultra-complex mechanism
471 components
Virtuoso assembly
A single movement crafted per month
Mysterious mechanism
The mechanism is hidden in the base of the frame, which is only 3.75 mm thick. The advantage of this construction is that it clears the stage to enhance the magic of the show being staged.
The spectacular design linked to the complexity of the mechanism is marked by its control tower – or central column – which transmits the orders to the tourbillons and hands.
Finally, the mechanical part is ennobled by a powerful and modern engine that endows it with a very high level of performance, making it even more efficient than a single tourbillon.
High-tech exterior
The curved crystal of Louis Moinet ASTRONEF reveals the powerful mechanism of which the power is accentuated by the lightness of its gold frame and sapphire container. This maximum transparency enables observers to admire a unique sight. The technical construction of the case is unusual and comprises:
- a sapphire container mounted on an 18K gold frame
- openworked lugs and case middle
- a sapphire dome and its applied inner bezel ring
Hand-crafted dial
The dial is made from a plate measuring a total 0.6 mm thick, from which 0.2 mm is then hollowed out to reveal the numerals and a ring bearing a rack-and-pinion pattern, in order to create a depth effect facilitating readings. The ensuing deep black DLC treatment creates a striking contrast with the rhodium plating and endows it with a two-tone hue. Finally, a circular satin-brushed finish is applied to instil it with undeniable strength of character.
Original time-setting
Like every detail of ASTRONEF, this function expresses technicality, elegance and exclusivity based on of a unique mechanism stemming from extensive research experience.
Themed presentation box
A presentation box is specially made for each ASTRONEF. Finely crafted by an artisan, it notably features a straw marquetry motif in various shades and the buyer can choose from several different graphic design alternatives.
ASTRONEF, an exclusive creation
Only eight ASTRONEF watches will emerge from Ateliers Louis Moinet in Saint-Blaise, a number meaning that only eight owners will jealously safeguard this elite embodiment of contemporary watchmaking technology.
TECHNICAL DATA
| WATCH | |
| Model | ASTRONEF |
| Limited edition | 8 watches |
| CASE | |
| Frame material | 18K rose gold, polished and satin-brushed |
| Container material | Glareproofed sapphire crystal |
| Glass | Glareproofed sapphire crystal |
| Diameter | 43.5mm |
| Thickness | 18.3mm |
| DIAL | |
| Mainplate | 1.5mm thick| 4 levels of different heights |
| Finishing | Black DLC coating | Rhodium finish |
| Decoration | Guilloché, circular satin-finished |
| FLYING SATELLITE DOUBLE TOURBILLON | |
| Tourbillons | Two tourbillons with reversed rotation direction 18 hourly crossings (every 3 minutes and 20 seconds) |
| Upper tourbillon | Hourly rotation | 1 revolution in 5 minutes |
| Lower tourbillon | Counterclockwise rotation | 1 revolution in 10 minutes |
| MOVEMENT | |
| Manufacture | Louis Moinet |
| Calibre | LM105 |
| Functions | Hours | Minutes |
| Winding | Manual |
| Finishes on the upper side | Tourbillon bridges: sandblasted, polished chamfers Cage upper bridges: circular satin-finished Balances: sandblasted, mirror-polished, diamond-polished Counterweights: 18K rose gold, sandblasted, circular satin-finished, polished chamfers |
| Finishes on the underside | Steel parts: polished chamfers and straight graining Gear trains: circular satin-brushed Mainplate: vertical “Côtes de Genève” hobnail pattern, polished sinks, polished chamfers |
| Components | Six ceramic ball bearings (44 balls) |
| Oscillations | 21,600 vibrations/hour |
| Frequency | 3 Hz |
| Jewels | 56 |
| Power reserve | 48 hours |
| Diameter | 38.5 mm |
| Thickness | 13.6 mm |
| Components | 471 |
| Functions | Function selector: Winding | Time setting |
| STRAP | |
| Material | Louisiana alligator leather| Alligator lining, hand-sewn |
| Clasp | Folding clasp |18K rose gold | Curved “Fleur de Lys” |
ABOUT LOUIS MOINET
Jean-Marie Schaller created Les Ateliers Louis Moinet in St-Blaise (NE) in 2004. The fully independent firm was established to honour the memory of Louis Moinet (1768-1853): master watchmaker, inventor of the chronograph and high frequency (216,000 vibrations per hour) (certified by two Guinness World Records™). Louis Moinet was a watchmaker, artist and astronomer. He is the author of the Traité d’Horlogerie, a watchmaking treatise published in 1848 that remained a definitive work of reference for a century.
Today, Ateliers Louis Moinet is perpetuating this legacy. The firm’s mechanical timepieces are produced as one-of-a-kind models or limited editions only and comprise two categories: “Cosmic Art” and “Mechanical Wonders”. Louis Moinet creations often make use of unusual and rare components, such as extraterrestrial meteorites or prehistorical materials. The brand’s core values are creativity, exclusivity, art and design. This uniquely creative mechanical approach combined with bespoke fine watchmaking has enabled Louis Moinet to win some of the most coveted honours around the world, including a UNESCO Award of Merit, six Red Dot Design Awards (including one Best of the Best Award), a Horological Creativity Contribution Award, gold and bronze medals in the International Chronometry Competition, ten Good Design Awards, four Middle East Watch of the Year Awards, two Robb Report “Best of the Best” Awards, three German Design Awards, a Moscow Grand Prix Award, and a “Chronograph of the year” distinction from Begin Magazine, Japan.