Born in France in 1768, Louis Moinet had a distinct passion for horology and watches. After spending time in Italy and Switzerland as a young man, by the time he began to reach middle age, the now master horologist had established a reputation for being a watchmaker’s watchmaker.

Moinet was so well respected within the watch making fraternity that he was appointed the president of the Chronometry Society in Paris and it was here that he would work closely with other supreme horologists such as Abraham-Louis Breguet, Antide Janvier, Pierre-Louis Berthoud and Louis Perrelet.

The work of Louis Moinet encompasses watches, alarm watches, astronomical watches and regulators and over the course of his long and distinguished career in watchmaking, Moinet created some incredible and quite extraordinary timepieces, many of which were made for some of the world’s most eminent historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, King George IV, Tsar Alexander I, and Thomas Jefferson.

Louis Moinet watches today

Today, Louis Moinet’s passion, expertise and know how for watch making lives on thanks to the work of Jean-Marie Schaller who is the founder and the creative driving force behind the revived watch brand that bears the prestigious Moinet name.

The independent Swiss watchmaker is located in Saint-Blaise and specialises in producing high-end luxury timepieces, which are often limited editions and that very much coincide with the philosophy of Louis Moinet himself. The brands unique and exclusive timepieces often feature innovative technology and exotic materials, such as dinosaur bone and fossilized palm wood.

A Louis Moinet timepiece is distinguished by its ‘Cotes du Jura’ guilloche dials  and ‘Gouttes de rosee’ hands.

Louis Moinet Variograph Watch

The Louis Moinet Variograph is a remarkable timepiece. This exclusive watch has two major features: a full moon indicator and a world map that is integrated into the dial. Unlike a more traditional moon phase complication, the Variograph does not trace the curve of the moon, instead it indicates the day of the full moon.

The second feature, the world map, which is found at the position of 9 o’clock, spins once on its axis every 24 hours. The ring that surrounds the map allows the wearer to read the time from around the world according to Greenwich Mean Time.

The Louis Moinet Variograph also displays 60 second and 30 minute chronographs at 12 o’clock that also includes a day, month and date indicator.

The watch is available in three different versions – silver, dusty rose and charcoal, with each limited to just 60 pieces.

Louis Moinet Geograph

The Louis Moinet Geograph is inspired by the explorer Captain James Cook and the Montgolfier brothers, who were pioneers of human flight. The model is housed in a 316L stainless steel case, which measures 45.5mm in diameter. The case features a double sapphire crystal with double glare proof treatment and is equipped with a screw down back that is individually numbered and engraved.

The watch is powered by a self winding movement that contains 25 jewels and beats at 28,800vph, with a 48hr power reserve. The dial displays a central hours and minute chronograph with a 24hr second time zone indicator. You’ll also find a 30 minute, small seconds and 12 hour counter at 12, 9 and 6 o’clock respectively.

The Louis Moinet Geograph is limited to 60 pieces and is available in the United Kingdom from these retailers.

Louis Moinet Jules Verne Instrument III

Launched in 2012, Louis Moinet takes its inspiration from Twenty Thousands Leagues Under The Sea, first published in 1869 and which saw its main character, Captain Nemo, cut all ties with human society, instead choosing to survive in a submarine and spending his remaining days cruising the ocean depths. It’s a grail watch for steampunks.

The Jules Verne Instrument III measures 45.5mm x 16.5mm and has lugs measuring 24mm. The watch is available in two impressive versions, the first being in 18ct rose gold and titanium, with the second crafted from stainless steel and titanium.

The sapphire crystal has been coated with anti reflective materials. This latest offering from Louis Moinet is water resistant to 50 metres and includes an LM30 calibre movement that beats at 28,800vph and features 27 jewel components. The watch also has a power reserve of 48hrs.