LOUIS MOINET – MAYA ECLIPSE Tourbillon Gold Edition

 

LOUIS MOINET – Mechanical Wonders MAYA ECLIPSE Double Tourbillon Edition - Unique Piece  2022

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The MAYA ECLIPSE is a deeply symbolic timepiece that pays tribute to the charismatic Maya people and the rich history of Mexico. 

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Created by Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, this unique and extraordinary piece will be presented for the first time at SIAR (Salón Internacional Alta Relojería) in Mexico, from 18th to 20th October 2022.

THE SPIRIT OF CREATION

The MAYA ECLIPSE embodies the beguiling cosmic phenomenon that is the eclipse, using technology to capture a poetic beauty. It plays out the spectacular encounter between the moon and the sun 18 times per hour, with the magical axis of the Kukulcán Pyramid serving as its centre point.

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Mayan society and culture drew an important association between astronomy, the vision of the Cosmos, religion and politics. Brilliant mathematicians and architects, the Mayans were also fervent observers of the stars and other celestial phenomena. 

They used their observations to create various calendars, some of which were highly complex and extremely accurate. They used these to measure time, enabling them to determine the phases of the moon and the position of the sun during eclipses, solstices and equinoxes.

This unique creation combines striking elements of Mayan culture with the watchmaking expertise of Ateliers Louis Moinet. The concept was developed by the young jewellery artist, Nathanaël Schaller, national winner of the French Prix des Métiers d’Art in 2020.

WHEN THE STARS ALIGN

Pyramidal architecture features in the shape of the watch’s mysterious and complex movement, whose stepped construction projects from the centre. 

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This movement has two satellite tourbillons that rotate in opposite directions, with their counterweights representing a moon and a sun inspired by Mayan symbols. They cross and overlap 18 times per hour, i.e. 432 times per day, with each meeting producing a striking and poetic eclipse, from where the timepiece gets its legendary name: MAYA ECLIPSE.

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At the top of the movement’s mechanical axis sits a fragment of jade. Its position at the top of the pyramid is symbolic, since jade was considered more precious than gold by the Mayans, who used it to make various artefacts to feature in their rites and ceremonies.

CHICHÉN ITZÁ IN A NEW LIGHT

The back of the dial is made from coloured mother-of-pearl, an exquisite and ethereal material which reminds us that the Kukulcán Pyramid is built over a cenote. Cenotes are natural pits primarily found in North and Central America. 

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Usually filled with fresh water (though sometimes with sea water), they were considered sacred by the Mayans. The transparent flange features hour-markers with Mayan numerals made up of lines and dots. These graphical elements make for easy time reading.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe pyramid is made from 18k 5N rose gold and is adorned with guilloché geometric patterns that play with light and shade to stunning effect. This recalls the phenomenon that occurs at the Kukulcán Pyramid itself during equinoxes: the sun strikes the north-west corner of the pyramid, creating the illusion that the serpent is descending the steps of the pyramid.

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The MAYA ECLIPSE depicts the Kukulcán Pyramid seen from the above, with its nine levels and four staircases. This construction symbolises the cosmic axis that links the infraworld, the world of the living and the world of the gods. 

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It is located at the site of Chichén Itzá in Mexico, and is dedicated to Kukulcán, the feathered serpent. Kukulcán was the all-powerful god of resurrection and reincarnation worshipped by the Mayans.

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Technical Specifications  

Collection: Mechanical Wonders Unique Edition

Model:  MAYA ECLIPSE

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  Ref.  LM-105-50.MA

Movement
Ultra-complex mechanism Calibre LM105
Manufacture Calibre with flying satellite double tourbillon
Functions: Hours | Minutes
Winding: Manual
Function selector: Winding | Time setting
Finishes on the upper side
Tourbillon bridges: steel, mirror-polished 
Balances:  

• Sandblasted, mirror-polished, diamond-polished
• "Moon" counterweight: polished, rhodium-plated
• "Sun" counterweight: polished, 3N gilded, diamond-planed rays

Upper insert: Jade
Finishes on the underside
Steel parts: polished chamfers and straight graining
Gear trains: circular satin-brushed
Mainplate: vertical “Côtes de Genève” hobnail pattern, polished sinks, polished chamfers
Components:
Two barrels | Six ceramic ball bearings (44 balls)
FLYING SATELLITE DOUBLE TOURBILLON
Tourbillons:
Two tourbillons with reversed rotation direction
18 hourly crossings (every 3 minutes and 20 seconds)
Upper tourbillon:   Hourly rotation | 1 revolution in 5 minutes
Lower tourbillon:   Anti-clockwise rotation | 1 revolution in 10 minutes
471 components
Virtuoso assembly
A single movement crafted per month
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz)
Jewels: 56
Power reserve: 48hours 
Dial
Openwork 
Base: Coloured mother-of-pearl
Applique: 18K 5N rose gold, hand guilloché
Display
Hours and minutes
Case
Material:
Ø 43.5mm - 18k Rose Gold, polished and satin-brushed
Sapphire container, diameter: 18.6mm
Water resistance: 10 metres
Caseback: Sapphire crystal and back
Crystals: Two anti-reflective sapphire crystals
Patent-pending crown guard
Width between lugs: 24mm
Strap 
Louisiana alligator leather| Alligator lining, hand-sewn
Clasp: Folding | 18K 5N rose gold | Curved "Fleur de Lys"

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Limited Edition  -  Unique piece

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Press Release - 2022
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