A chronograph mechanism visible on the dial side.

 

Global history of scientific discoveries is full of fateful meetings of great minds that have led to the appearance of unique creations. Watchmaking is no exception. In 1811, ten years after the invention of the tourbillon, Abraham-Louis Breguet hired a man who had arrived in Paris called Louis Moinet. He became the revered watchmaker's personal adviser.

 

He took on the secretarial role we have to thank for preserving a detailed record of Breguet's inventions and orders placed by the aristocrats of the time so we now know their history. This administrative work didn't stop Moinet working on his own projects. In 1816, he created his "Compteur de Tierces" — the precursor of the modern chronograph.

Fast-forward two centuries to today, and Les Ateliers Louis Moinet is now combining these two exceptional inventions on one dial. The Impulsion model with its tourbillon and chronograph mechanism visible on the dial side was one of the company's memorable premiers at Watches and Wonders in Geneva.

 

The watchmaker claims that the watch with its chronograph mechanism entirely visible on the dial side is actually a world premier for the entire watchmaking industry. It's controlled by a single pusher.

 

It activates the central chronograph hand which sweeps over the tourbillon carriage that completes one full revolution every minute. The movement housed in the novelty consists of 301 components, equipped with a column wheel and classic horizontal clutch.

 

Louis Moinet Impulsion
Louis Moinet Impulsion
Louis Moinet Impulsion, scetch
Louis Moinet Impulsion, scetch

Combining a tourbillon and chronograph demands additional energy, which is why the watchmaker opted for manual winding instead of an automatic movement. The movement uses double-barrel winding system known as "volte-face" due to their reverse configuration. The barrels release the energy they've accumulated at the same time to ultimately deliver a 96-hour power reserve. 

 

The Memoris movement developed in partnership with the Concepto Watch Factory is housed in a case measuring 42.5 mm in diameter with light titanium used as the material at its heart to protect the movement. Availability of the Louis Moinet Impulsion LM-114.40.20 is limited to 28 pieces.