Jewellery & Watch News
“How could one integrate a mechanism with over 300 components into a 40 mm case, whose mission is to be even more spectacular than its 46 mm predecessor?” That was the question from Louis Moinet CEO Jean-Marie Schaller which triggered the inspiration for the new Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watch. The answer came from a design found within the Swiss watch manufacturer’s own archives, a historic pocket watch chronograph combined with strongly domed crystal and a flange dissociated from the glass notch.
The Louis Moinet Memoris was first introduced in 2016 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Ateliers Louis Moinet and the 200th anniversary of the Compteur de Tierces, a stopwatch created by the watchmaker in 1816. The historic stopwatch is widely regarded as one of the greatest creations in haute horology, measuring time intervals to the 60th of a second with start, stop and reset functions and equipped with a balance wheel capable of beating at a whopping 216,000 vibrations per hour. In honour of this legendary design, Louis Moinet created the Memoris watch which instead of revealing the chronograph movement through the case back brought it centre stage on the dial. Similarly, the Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watch reveals a stunning skeletonised centrepiece but with some significant changes to the overall decoration and a smaller and lighter 40.7mm case.
Starting with the dial, the new Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watch offers several contemporary alternations compared to its predecessor with less elaborate decoration on the openwork architecture and a swap from Roman numerals to Arabic numerals on the off-centred hour and minutes dial at 6 o’clock. As you’d expect, the choreography of the chronograph steals the show and with a push of a single pusher, the levers, clutch, hammers, column wheel, springs and wheels are all set into the motion as the chronograph begins to measure time. The dial also presents a sunburst chronograph plate and a circular satin-finished inner bezel ring varying in colour depending on which of the three Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watches you elect for yourself.
There is no less than 311 components used to engineer the mechanical movement found within the Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watch, with the majority of them on display through the dial or the sapphire crystal case back. The movement is question is the self-winding Calibre LM84 which has been developed together with movement manufacturer Concepto. It runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a 48 hour power reserve and 30 jewels. Through the case back, classic Côtes de Genève hobnail patterns and diamond polished sinks can be spotted alongside a guilloche rotor adorned with concentric Clous de Paris and Fleur de Lys.
One of the most obvious differences between the new Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watch and the 2016 edition is the smaller case size of 40.7mm. The six-screw bezel is also swapped out for a smooth unadorned bezel which fluidly integrates with the largely domed sapphire crystal glass and at 3 o’clock, a notable crown support secures the Fleur de Lys crown. The chronograph pushers are also engraved with a chequered motif for easy grip and the lugs are skeletonised for a streamlined finish. The 50 metre water resistant cases are available in two materials, grade 5 titanium or 18ct rose gold. The former comes in two dial colours, black or blue, while the gold Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit opts for a pure silver bezel ring and off-centred dial.
The Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watches are completed by integrated, hand-sewn black alligator leather straps equipped with triple folding buckles and an interchangeable system. The rose gold model is limited to only 28 pieces while the titanium reference will be made for 60 different wrists. You shop the full collection of Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit watches on the C W Sellors website here, or by calling the team on 01335 453453. Alternatively, send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 40.7mm
- Case Material: Titanium or 18ct rose gold
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Calibre LM84 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, 30 minute chronograph counter, chronograph seconds
- Power Reserve: 48 hours
- Jewels: 30
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Off-centred hour and minutes dial, translucent counters, satin-finished bezel ring, faceted hands
- Strap: Alligator leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: TBC
- Limited Edition: 60 pieces (Titanium), 25 pieces (Rose Gold)
