Louis Moinet Mogador Tourbillon (Live Pics)

Watches produced by Louis Moinet are never shy and usually showcase a certain exuberance. However, the brand also has a solid horological background (for instance think of the Compteur de Tierces, capable of measuring time intervals with a start-stop-reset function as early as in 1816) and today’s collections still feature complex movements. True to form, the brand today presents a new, highly ornamented piece with a tourbillon, the Louis Moinet Mogador.

The first thing to catch the eye with the Louis Moinet Mogador is its richly decorated dial. Its guilloché base features a concentric clous de Paris pattern that plays with the light to striking effect. It is coated with translucent “Moinet blue” lacquer and topped with a geometric openworked structure supporting the hour markers, minute rail track and framing the 6 o’clock opening that showcases the one-minute tourbillon. This metallic arabesque and the blue colour of the watch might be the reason for naming the watch Mogador, the former Portuguese name of Essaouira, the fortified town on the Moroccan Atlantic coast.

The case of the Louis Moinet Mogador is presented in grade 5 titanium or in 18k pink gold and measures 45.40mm in diameter – obviously not a watch that flies under the radar. The Mogador uses an original construction. The titanium mid-case comes in intense “Moinet blue” and is framed by two lateral openworked bridges. The strap is secured at the end of the skeletonized lugs with screws. The bezel features the brand’s traditional six screws and frames a slightly domed sapphire crystal. The water-resistance is rated 3 ATM / 30 metres.

Also secured by 6 screws, the exhibition caseback offers an interesting view of the calibre LM35. This hand-wound movement shows the hours and minutes. It is regulated by a one-minute tourbillon. The balance wheel operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and features regulating screws. The barrel can store up to 72 hours of power reserve. Worth noting is the cool “octopus” spring, which is actually three springs in one: pull-out piece spring, lever spring and click spring. The movement is finely finished with circular Geneva stripes, chamfering, brushing and snailing.

The Louis Moinet Mogador Tourbillon is worn on an alligator leather strap secured with a folding buckle emblazoned with the brand’s Fleur de Lys logo. The production is limited to 3 pieces in titanium and 3 pieces in pink gold. Price is set at CHF 120,000 in titanium and CHF 130,000 in 18k pink gold. For more information, please visit www.louismoinet.com.