Louis Moinet celebrates the legacy of its founder with the new 1816 Tourbillon Chronograph, a timepiece that brings together historical significance, high watchmaking and contemporary design. The model pays tribute to the Compteur de Tierces, the instrument completed by Louis Moinet in 1816 and recognised as the world’s first chronograph. More than two centuries later, that invention continues to shape the aesthetic and technical identity of the Maison.
The new watch reinterprets several design codes from the original creation in a modern key. Its case, crafted from polished and satin-brushed grade 5 titanium, measures 40.6 mm in diameter and features an elegant, architectural profile. Signature details include the monopusher chronograph control, the crown adorned with the fleur-de-lys — the emblem of Bourges, Louis Moinet’s birthplace — and the double gadroon, a direct reference to the historic Compteur de Tierces.
The rhodium-plated dial creates a refined play of contrasts through satin-finished and bead-blasted surfaces. The small seconds and 30-minute chronograph counters are enhanced with satin-brushed rings and Arabic numerals. Engraved markings inspired by the original typography reinforce the historical connection, while blue accents — from the screws and hands to the DLC-coated tourbillon cage — add a technical and contemporary note.
At the heart of the timepiece is the LM114 calibre, a hand-wound mechanical movement assembled by Louis Moinet watchmakers in Les Breuleux. It combines two prestigious complications: a column-wheel monopusher chronograph and an off-centre flying tourbillon. Thanks to its double barrel construction, the movement delivers a generous 96-hour power reserve.
The 1816 Tourbillon Chronograph also serves as a symbolic tribute to the relationship between two founding figures of modern watchmaking: Louis Moinet, inventor of the chronograph, and Abraham-Louis Breguet, inventor of the tourbillon.
Completing the watch is a specially designed grade 5 titanium bracelet conceived as a natural extension of the case. Its broad, sculptural links alternate satin-brushed and polished finishes, offering balance, comfort and a distinctly contemporary character.
Produced in a strictly limited edition of just 12 pieces, the Louis Moinet 1816 Tourbillon Chronograph is intended for a select circle of collectors — custodians of a creation that unites technical innovation, historical memory and refined horological artistry.
