With the spotlight pointed on Mars thanks to the recent historic landing of the space rover Curiosity, Astralis is still the only wristwatch to contain a piece of the Red Planet – a fragment of Martian meteorite that travelled over 55 million kilometers before reaching the Earth !
The fragment of Martian meteorite in Astralis travelled over 55 million kilometers before landing in Oman desert.
To date, only 63 meteorite rocks found on Earth have been identified as being from Mars. Louis Moinet has an exclusive collaboration with Luc Labenne, the most celebrated meteorite hunter. In the following interview, he explained to us how he found Astralis’ Martian meteorite in the desert.
Luc Labenne, meteorite hunter www.meteorites.tv
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
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Exclusive Interview with Luc Labenne
The distance between Mars and Earth is over 50 million kilometres. What is the path of a Martian meteorite before landing on Earth?
A Martian meteorite is a fragment of Mars ejected after impact from another a meteorite impact. To assess the age of the Martian rock, we first talk about the “formation age” on Mars. The impacts on the surface allows us to determine the “age of ejection” of the meteorite.
The length of time between the rock leaving Mars and reaching Earth can vary from about 1 million years to 20 million years. The last bit of useful data is the “terrestrial age” of the meteorite ground, that is, the length of time it has been on Earth. These three dates allow us to obtain relatively precise information on the origin of the meteorite as well as the path it has taken before landing on Earth.
How can we be sure that a meteorite has come from Mars?
A first sample is taken and then sent to universities and scientists such as A. Irving (University of Washington, Departement of Earth and Space Sciences, Seattle, USA), an expert in Martian meteorites or R. Korotev (McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Washington Univ., St. Louis, USA), an authority on lunar meteorites. When identifying a Martian meteorite, the first thing is to establish its composition. Analysis of gases contained in the bubbles of the minerals can be compared with the results of analyses gathered by probes from NASA’s pioneering Viking program to confirm the Martian origin of meteorites. This is the main thing we have to do. Identification is then confirmed
by the oxygen isotopes of these analyses. Finally, the control of the «formation age» of the rock enables the final confirmation. In fact, Martian meteorites are relatively young, about a few hundred million years old compared to 4.5 billion years for non-planetary meteorites.
To date, 63 Martian meteorites have officially been found on Earth. Most have been dedicated to science or exhibited in museums.
ASTRALIS «MARS» 18K rose gold 5N Havana dial Unique piece
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What is the importance of having Martian or lunar meteorites, from a scientific point of view?
For the Moon, for example, we have samples from the Apollo missions, but these relate only to the visible face of the Moon – for communication reasons (no radio signals), the mission was not able to explore the hidden side. There is therefore interest in whether the lunar meteorites originated from the visible or hidden side. After analysis, the moon rocks I have found on Earth were a lot different to those brought back by the Apollo mission, and this has given us other information about the composition of the lunar soil.
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In general, meteorites allow us a better understanding of the origins and formation of planets.
It’s the same importance for Martian meteorites, to find out about their formation, but also to figure out if Mars could ever have supported life and/or has traces of water. Currently, no sample of rock has been brought back from Mars. Future missions are still on the drawing board for complexity and financial reasons. Curiosity is performing analyses but not bringing samples back. Martian meteorites can therefore make up for this by providing these samples. Until now, the Martian meteorites are essentially basalt (chunks of lava). Scientists hope to find sedimentary meteorites to obtain more information and perhaps prove the existence of life on Mars. This is also the reason why Curiosity landed in a crater: It’s a good place to find and analyse these sedimentary rocks.
ASTRALIS «MERCURY» 18K rose gold 5N Silver dial Unique piece
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Third distinctive feature : combination of 3 complications
These four collection watches have a combination of complications never seen before: In addition to the 24-hour planetarium there is an astral tourbillon and splitsecond, column-wheel chronograph. Signature Louis Moinet “Côtes du Jura” engraving embellishes the dial and “Gouttes de Rosée” hands accompany the splitsecond chronograph hand decorated with a shooting star,
which activate by pushing the pusher carefully integrated into the crown.
A sapphire glass caseback enables the viewer to admire the exclusive movement LM27, fully redeveloped based on a vintage Venus calibre. The chronograph column wheel and split-second ‘scorpion’ clamps provide ultrasmooth functionality and can be glimpsed through the
display back along with a plate engraved with planets which, together with the gold chaton and blued screws, evoke a beautiful night sky.
Is the composition of a Martian meteorite very different from a terrestrial rock?
As previously stated, Martian meteorites found so far are mainly lava rocks so visually close to terrestrial basalt rocks. However, shock veins can be observed in meteorites, which do not exist in terrestrial rocks and this allows early identification in the field. But the main difference lies in the fact that the minerals in these rocks are partially melted due to the impact on Mars. Bubbles of gas specific to Mars are also present in these meteorites.
ASTRALIS «MOON» 18K white gold, bezel and lugs set with 66 Top Wesselton VVS baguette diamonds (3.38 cts) Black dial Unique piece
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTRALIS «SUN» The unique universe of Astralis
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Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
-.jpg)
The meteorites that you find – for whom are they intended?
Primarily for scientists, then private collectors and museums. For lunar and Martian meteorites, most are intended for science due to their limited number, priority is given to research
First distinctive feature : the 24-hour planetarium
Astralis boasts a planetarium at 6 o’clock containing not one but four highly-polished rare meteorites – Dhofar 459, Itqiy, Sahara 99555 and Jiddat al Harasis 479 – respectively denoting the Moon, the Sun and the planets Mercury and Mars. Sahara 99555 it is the oldest known rock in the entire Solar System, estimated at 4 billion 566 million years, earning it the nickname the «Rosetta Stone» of our Solar System (though we are not certain it originates from Mecury).
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
The Sun is symbolised in the planetarium by a sliver of Itqiy, a beautiful meteorite whose origins remain mysterious. All four of these fragments of extra-terrestrial rocks are unique and mounted on a finely-cut aventurine disk, evoking a starry sky making a one revolution per day.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
Martian meteorite Jiddat al Harasis 479, used to depict Mars on the 24-hour planetarium. Found in the Sultanate of Oman in 2008, and authenticated by the «Russian Academy of Science», Moscow.
Second distinctive feature : Four unique timepieces
To celebrate the exploits of Curiosity, Louis Moinet has decided to present a unique set of four unique Astralis timepieces, with the dark brown, silver, dark blue and diamond-speckled black dials. The presentation case for each watch is a work of art in itself: A planetoidal sphere 21 cm in diameter created by sculptor Jean-Yves Kervevan, representing Mars, the Moon, Mercury and the Sun.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
An art object handcrafted by Jean-Yves Kervévan nd depicting the Sun Diameter : 21 cm
------------------------------------------------------
Technical specifications
Astralis Unique Pieces are a quartet of split-second chronographs, each named after an important celestial body in our solar system: Mars, Mercury, the Moon and the Sun. All four timepieces feature a 24-hour planetarium with authentic meteorite fragments representing the same four planetoids.
Features and functions
Hours, minutes and seconds
Split-second, column-wheel chronograph with seconds, split seconds and 30-minute counter
24-hour planetarium
Astral tourbillon
Dial
Planetarium containing fragments of exclusive meteorites: Dhofar 459 (symbolising the Moon), Itqiy (symbolising the Sun), Sahara 99555 (symbolising the Sun), and Jiddat al Harasis 479 (symbolising Mars)
Côtes du Jura guilloche
Colours: Moon – black; Mercury – silver; Sun - midnight blue; Mars - Havana
Facetted applied hour-markers/hour indices
Hands
Gouttes de Rosée hour and minute hands 'shooting star' split-second chronograph hand
Movement and finishing
Louis Moinet Calibre LM27
Tourbillon cage: 1 turn/minute
Jewels: 31
Winding: Hand-winding
Oscillations: 21,600vph
Frequency: 3 Hz
Lines: 14.5
Power reserve: 48 hours
Escapement: Side lever
Oscillator: CuBe two-arm balance wheel, moment of inertia: 10.5 mg/cm2, lever angle 52°
Split-second mechanism: Blued steel column-wheel with monobloc split-second ‘scorpion’ clamps
Hand-engraved plate
Polished jewel sinks
Grained brass
Blued steel screws
Case
Diameter: 46.50mm
Height: 17.62mm
Material: 18K rose gold (Mars and Mercury), 18K white gold (Sun), 18K white gold and 66 Top Wesselton baguette diamonds (3.38 cts) (Moon)
Comprising 50 elements that are meticulously assembled
Facets softened by the work of the master polisher
Sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment
Case diameter: 46.50mm
Case thickness: 17.62mm
Water resistance: 50m
Caseback: Secured with 7 screws, engraved with the individual number and Louis Moinet symbols
Crown guard: patent pending
Pusher inside crown activates split-second chronograph
Champagne cork chronograph pushers with compass rose motif
Bracelet
Louisiana alligator leather, hand-stitched
Colours: Moon – black; Mercury - Havana brown; Sun - midnight blue; Mars – Havana brown
Buckle: 18k gold and black titanium double folding clasp
Presentation box
Presented in a resin-cast, planetoidal box handcrafted by artist Jean-Yves Kervévan. All four unique pieces – Mars, Mercury, Moon and Sun – are, in turn, presented in a leather-bound wooden cabinet.
The unique universe of Astralis
The four Astralis are stylishly housed in a leather-bound wooden cabinet with their own planetoidal box
-----------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Louis Moinet
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www.LouisMoinet.com
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
The fragment of Martian meteorite in Astralis travelled over 55 million kilometers before landing in Oman desert.
To date, only 63 meteorite rocks found on Earth have been identified as being from Mars. Louis Moinet has an exclusive collaboration with Luc Labenne, the most celebrated meteorite hunter. In the following interview, he explained to us how he found Astralis’ Martian meteorite in the desert.
Luc Labenne, meteorite hunter www.meteorites.tv
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
.jpg)
Exclusive Interview with Luc Labenne
The distance between Mars and Earth is over 50 million kilometres. What is the path of a Martian meteorite before landing on Earth?
A Martian meteorite is a fragment of Mars ejected after impact from another a meteorite impact. To assess the age of the Martian rock, we first talk about the “formation age” on Mars. The impacts on the surface allows us to determine the “age of ejection” of the meteorite.
The length of time between the rock leaving Mars and reaching Earth can vary from about 1 million years to 20 million years. The last bit of useful data is the “terrestrial age” of the meteorite ground, that is, the length of time it has been on Earth. These three dates allow us to obtain relatively precise information on the origin of the meteorite as well as the path it has taken before landing on Earth.
How can we be sure that a meteorite has come from Mars?
A first sample is taken and then sent to universities and scientists such as A. Irving (University of Washington, Departement of Earth and Space Sciences, Seattle, USA), an expert in Martian meteorites or R. Korotev (McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Washington Univ., St. Louis, USA), an authority on lunar meteorites. When identifying a Martian meteorite, the first thing is to establish its composition. Analysis of gases contained in the bubbles of the minerals can be compared with the results of analyses gathered by probes from NASA’s pioneering Viking program to confirm the Martian origin of meteorites. This is the main thing we have to do. Identification is then confirmed
by the oxygen isotopes of these analyses. Finally, the control of the «formation age» of the rock enables the final confirmation. In fact, Martian meteorites are relatively young, about a few hundred million years old compared to 4.5 billion years for non-planetary meteorites.
To date, 63 Martian meteorites have officially been found on Earth. Most have been dedicated to science or exhibited in museums.
ASTRALIS «MARS» 18K rose gold 5N Havana dial Unique piece
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
.jpg)
What is the importance of having Martian or lunar meteorites, from a scientific point of view?
For the Moon, for example, we have samples from the Apollo missions, but these relate only to the visible face of the Moon – for communication reasons (no radio signals), the mission was not able to explore the hidden side. There is therefore interest in whether the lunar meteorites originated from the visible or hidden side. After analysis, the moon rocks I have found on Earth were a lot different to those brought back by the Apollo mission, and this has given us other information about the composition of the lunar soil.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
.jpg)
It’s the same importance for Martian meteorites, to find out about their formation, but also to figure out if Mars could ever have supported life and/or has traces of water. Currently, no sample of rock has been brought back from Mars. Future missions are still on the drawing board for complexity and financial reasons. Curiosity is performing analyses but not bringing samples back. Martian meteorites can therefore make up for this by providing these samples. Until now, the Martian meteorites are essentially basalt (chunks of lava). Scientists hope to find sedimentary meteorites to obtain more information and perhaps prove the existence of life on Mars. This is also the reason why Curiosity landed in a crater: It’s a good place to find and analyse these sedimentary rocks.
ASTRALIS «MERCURY» 18K rose gold 5N Silver dial Unique piece
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
-.jpg)
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
.jpg)
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
Third distinctive feature : combination of 3 complications
These four collection watches have a combination of complications never seen before: In addition to the 24-hour planetarium there is an astral tourbillon and splitsecond, column-wheel chronograph. Signature Louis Moinet “Côtes du Jura” engraving embellishes the dial and “Gouttes de Rosée” hands accompany the splitsecond chronograph hand decorated with a shooting star,
which activate by pushing the pusher carefully integrated into the crown.
A sapphire glass caseback enables the viewer to admire the exclusive movement LM27, fully redeveloped based on a vintage Venus calibre. The chronograph column wheel and split-second ‘scorpion’ clamps provide ultrasmooth functionality and can be glimpsed through the
display back along with a plate engraved with planets which, together with the gold chaton and blued screws, evoke a beautiful night sky.
Is the composition of a Martian meteorite very different from a terrestrial rock?
As previously stated, Martian meteorites found so far are mainly lava rocks so visually close to terrestrial basalt rocks. However, shock veins can be observed in meteorites, which do not exist in terrestrial rocks and this allows early identification in the field. But the main difference lies in the fact that the minerals in these rocks are partially melted due to the impact on Mars. Bubbles of gas specific to Mars are also present in these meteorites.
ASTRALIS «MOON» 18K white gold, bezel and lugs set with 66 Top Wesselton VVS baguette diamonds (3.38 cts) Black dial Unique piece
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTRALIS «SUN» The unique universe of Astralis
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
.jpg)
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
-.jpg)
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ... BIG FOTO
The meteorites that you find – for whom are they intended?
Primarily for scientists, then private collectors and museums. For lunar and Martian meteorites, most are intended for science due to their limited number, priority is given to research
The unique universe of Astralis
First distinctive feature : the 24-hour planetarium
Astralis boasts a planetarium at 6 o’clock containing not one but four highly-polished rare meteorites – Dhofar 459, Itqiy, Sahara 99555 and Jiddat al Harasis 479 – respectively denoting the Moon, the Sun and the planets Mercury and Mars. Sahara 99555 it is the oldest known rock in the entire Solar System, estimated at 4 billion 566 million years, earning it the nickname the «Rosetta Stone» of our Solar System (though we are not certain it originates from Mecury).
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
The Sun is symbolised in the planetarium by a sliver of Itqiy, a beautiful meteorite whose origins remain mysterious. All four of these fragments of extra-terrestrial rocks are unique and mounted on a finely-cut aventurine disk, evoking a starry sky making a one revolution per day.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
Martian meteorite Jiddat al Harasis 479, used to depict Mars on the 24-hour planetarium. Found in the Sultanate of Oman in 2008, and authenticated by the «Russian Academy of Science», Moscow.
Second distinctive feature : Four unique timepieces
To celebrate the exploits of Curiosity, Louis Moinet has decided to present a unique set of four unique Astralis timepieces, with the dark brown, silver, dark blue and diamond-speckled black dials. The presentation case for each watch is a work of art in itself: A planetoidal sphere 21 cm in diameter created by sculptor Jean-Yves Kervevan, representing Mars, the Moon, Mercury and the Sun.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
An art object handcrafted by Jean-Yves Kervévan nd depicting the Sun Diameter : 21 cm
------------------------------------------------------
Technical specifications
Astralis Unique Pieces are a quartet of split-second chronographs, each named after an important celestial body in our solar system: Mars, Mercury, the Moon and the Sun. All four timepieces feature a 24-hour planetarium with authentic meteorite fragments representing the same four planetoids.
Features and functions
Hours, minutes and seconds
Split-second, column-wheel chronograph with seconds, split seconds and 30-minute counter
24-hour planetarium
Astral tourbillon
Dial
Planetarium containing fragments of exclusive meteorites: Dhofar 459 (symbolising the Moon), Itqiy (symbolising the Sun), Sahara 99555 (symbolising the Sun), and Jiddat al Harasis 479 (symbolising Mars)
Côtes du Jura guilloche
Colours: Moon – black; Mercury – silver; Sun - midnight blue; Mars - Havana
Facetted applied hour-markers/hour indices
Hands
Gouttes de Rosée hour and minute hands 'shooting star' split-second chronograph hand
Movement and finishing
Louis Moinet Calibre LM27
Tourbillon cage: 1 turn/minute
Jewels: 31
Winding: Hand-winding
Oscillations: 21,600vph
Frequency: 3 Hz
Lines: 14.5
Power reserve: 48 hours
Escapement: Side lever
Oscillator: CuBe two-arm balance wheel, moment of inertia: 10.5 mg/cm2, lever angle 52°
Split-second mechanism: Blued steel column-wheel with monobloc split-second ‘scorpion’ clamps
Hand-engraved plate
Polished jewel sinks
Grained brass
Blued steel screws
Case
Diameter: 46.50mm
Height: 17.62mm
Material: 18K rose gold (Mars and Mercury), 18K white gold (Sun), 18K white gold and 66 Top Wesselton baguette diamonds (3.38 cts) (Moon)
Comprising 50 elements that are meticulously assembled
Facets softened by the work of the master polisher
Sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment
Case diameter: 46.50mm
Case thickness: 17.62mm
Water resistance: 50m
Caseback: Secured with 7 screws, engraved with the individual number and Louis Moinet symbols
Crown guard: patent pending
Pusher inside crown activates split-second chronograph
Champagne cork chronograph pushers with compass rose motif
Bracelet
Louisiana alligator leather, hand-stitched
Colours: Moon – black; Mercury - Havana brown; Sun - midnight blue; Mars – Havana brown
Buckle: 18k gold and black titanium double folding clasp
Presentation box
Presented in a resin-cast, planetoidal box handcrafted by artist Jean-Yves Kervévan. All four unique pieces – Mars, Mercury, Moon and Sun – are, in turn, presented in a leather-bound wooden cabinet.
The unique universe of Astralis
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size ...
The four Astralis are stylishly housed in a leather-bound wooden cabinet with their own planetoidal box
-----------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - Louis Moinet
------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
www.LouisMoinet.com
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