LOUIS MOINET – COSMOPOLIS Tourbillon Gold - Unique Piece

 

LOUIS MOINET – Cosmic Art COSMOPOLIS “Twelve Meteorites” Tourbillon Meteorite Dial Gold - Unique Piece 2023

 Unique and personalised masterpieces

COSMOPOLIS
The microcosm of the macrocosm

When watchmaking incarnates the universe in a unique timepiece and is honored with a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “the most meteorite inserts in a watch”.

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 I’ve been collecting exceptional meteorites for twenty years. Each has its own story.  My collection contains rare pieces, like the lunar meteorite Dhofar 461, which is known for its white-speckled interior. And I have a valuable meteorite from Mars that is one of 300 samples identified to this day. I also have the famous Allende, the oldest rock in the solar system, and Erg Chech, the oldest magmatic rock known, which comes from a protoplanet that vanished at some point. As for the Jbilet Winselwan, what makes it remarkable are the traces of amino acid, which might well be the first signs of life in the cosmos. The Sahara 97093, on the other hand, distinguishes itself through its micro-diamonds, which took shape at the heart of stars that exploded and became supernovas. These fascinating stories were the creative spark that gave birth to the COSMOPOLIS. Even more than a great watchmaking work, COSMOPOLIS is a historic and scientific journey, a microcosm of the macrocosm.
Jean-Marie Schaller, owner and creative director

The genesis of a magnus opus

The story actually begins well before our times in the mysterious confines of outer space. Meteorites, some older than Earth itself, travelled billions of miles through space and ultimately found a home on our planet. Imagine these rocks coming from another world… They are of such unique composition that the price per gram surpasses that of gold and platinum combined. 

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Just think of these materials that bore witness to the shaping of our solar system, that contain the first known traces of life in the cosmos. They can tell us stories of the stars that we are just beginning to comprehend.

Today, after their interstellar journey, these heavenly treasures have been assembled by Les Ateliers Louis Moinet into a unique timepiece: COSMOPOLIS.

A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “the most meteorite inserts in a watch”

The COSMOPOLIS is in the spotlight on Thursday, 21 September, in Geneva, Switzerland. It is receiving a prestigious GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “the most meteorite inserts in a watch” This means that Les Ateliers Louis Moinet will from now on be known beyond the borders of traditional watchmaking, where it will generate amazement for its sheer rarity globally.  

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This world record will also confirm the boundless creativity of Jean-Marie Schaller and his ability to generate emotions and make us dream. This title also reflects his deep gratitude towards his solid network of friends, passionate supporters, and craftsmen who contribute daily to the development of Louis Moinet watches.

COSMOPOLIS, an evocative name

The name COSMOPOLIS pays tribute to the connection between our world and the infinite universe. The prefix cosmo- suggests the sheer size of the cosmos, the stars, their mysteries. 

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The suffix -polis suggests the cultural and artistic spirit of the cities. Together, the name COSMOPOLIS embodies the very essence of this watch by merging the fascination for space with the timeless elegance of the watchmaking craft.

Twelve meteorites: An exceptional constellation

An aura of mystery emanates from the COSMOPOLIS. The time appears subtly between the meteorites, drawing the eye at each glimpse and inviting one to explore a cosmic microcosm. The dial itself is the stage for a veritable celestial theatre. 

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Each fragment of meteorite has been placed so as to create a unique and fascinating constellation. In the centre is the rarest and most captivating stone of all, a lunar meteorite. One of these outstanding fragments, a black chondrite, is located in the back of the tourbillon cage, the beating heart of the mechanism. It’s a reminder of the powerful cosmic forces that have forged our universe. 

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Ten other special fragments have been carefully disposed, each on its own base that is discreetly attached to dark-grey, brushed dial. Each of celestial gems, is a witness to the origins of our solar system, each tells a billion-year-old story, one that includes the extraordinary voyage that them right to the COSMOPOLIS.

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These slivers of history, these glimpses of eternity, these slices of the cosmos, this constellation of meteorites fuse space-time and the world of watchmaking to create the rarest work of art.

Haute horlogerie and the flying tourbillon

To defy gravity in a particularly spectacular way, COSMOPOLIS comes with an off-centre tourbillon in the subdial at 6 o’clock. The movement is hand-wound, with two barrel springs, providing an impressive ninety-six hours of power reserve. 

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The system, known as “volte-face,” places one barrels upside-down over the other. This allows them to deliver their energy simultaneously for a ninety-six hour power reserve.

A noble case of rose gold

It comes in an 18-ct, 5N rose-gold case with a diameter of forty millimetres. The lines are fluid and taut at the same time. 

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The highly technical sapphire crystal dome reveals the many fascinating facets of the meteorite fragments below. As for the openworked lugs, they emphasise the smooth integration of the bracelet.

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 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ is a registered trademark and should not be used otherwise. For print publications, please use the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® version in countries where this trademark is registered. Otherwise, use the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ version. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact the Louis Moinet press team.

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Technical Specifications 

 Collection:  Cosmic Art

Model:  COSMOPOLIS Tourbillon

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Ref.  LM-135.50.CO

Case
Material: 18-carat 5N rose gold, polished and satinated
Polished and satinated
Diameter: 40.7 mm
Domed sapphire crystal glass
Water resistance: 30metres
Movement
Hand-wound movement with double barrel and flying tourbillon
Complication    Flying tourbillon
Oscillations: 28,800vibrations per hour
Rubies: 26
Power reserve: 96hours
Functions
Hours, Minutes and Flying tourbillon
Dial
12 meteorites

• 1. DHOFAR 461 – Moon (Oman)
• 2. DHOFAR 1674 – Mars (Oman)
• 3. ALLENDE – Meteorite shower (Mexico)
• 4. ERG CHECH – Asteroid (Algeria)
• 5. JBILET WINSELMAN– Asteroid (Morocco)
• 6. ISHEYEVO – Asteroid (russia)
• 7. ALETAI ARMANTY – Asteroid (China)
• 8. AGUAS ZARCAS– Meteorite shower (Costa Rica)
• 9. GIBEON – Asteroid (Namibia)
• 10. TOLUCA  – Asteroid (Mexico)
• 11. SAHARA 97093 - Asteroid (Sahara Desert)
• 12. BLACK CHONDRITE L5 – Asteroid (Sahara Desert)

Hands: Hours, minutes, facetted and skeletonised, with luminescent matter
Strap
Material: Louisiana alligator leather | Alligator lining, hand-sewn

Clasp: Gold triple-blade folding clasp

🔰Edition Unique Pieces, Number 01/01 each

 🔴 Public price: CHF 225,000  (excluding tax) 💰

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IWC – PORTUGIESER Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph LEWIS HAMILTON Edition

 

IWC Schaffhausen – PORTUGIESER Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph LEWIS HAMILTON Platinum Automatic Edition 2023  

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IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN INTRODUCES A LIMITED EDITION PORTUGIESER DESIGNED IN COLLABORATION WITH LEWIS HAMILTON

Schaffhausen, September 2023: IWC Schaffhausen presents the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton. Designed in collaboration with the seven-time Formula One™ world champion and IWC brand ambassador, it features a refined platinum case, a teal dial and a matching textile strap. The IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre drives a flying minute tourbillon, a chronograph function and a retrograde date display. This timepiece is limited to 44 pieces, reflecting the number Hamilton has raced with since the beginning of his incredible career.

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Lewis Hamilton is not only one of the most accomplished athletes in motorsport, but he has also earned a reputation for his distinctive personal style and iconic outfits. The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team driver often pushes the boundaries with his fashion choices, embracing bold colours, patterns, and original designs. 

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The IWC brand ambassador has now joined forces with IWC Chief Design Officer Christian Knoop and his team again to design his third special edition timepiece.

Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer of IWC Schaffhausen

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    “It has been an honour and a pleasure to work with Lewis on this project. His passion for IWC and comprehensive knowledge of mechanical watches were palpable at every stage of the two-year development process. Lewis knew exactly what he wanted and brought excellent ideas to the table. The result is a timepiece that combines his unerring sense of aesthetics and love of bold colours with some of the finest watchmaking technology ever developed in Schaffhausen.” Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer of IWC Schaffhausen

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The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton (Ref. IW394008) features a 43.5-millimetre case made of platinum, the rarest, purest and most precious of all metals. The whitish sheen of platinum perfectly complements the rich tealcoloured dial embellished with 12 sparkling diamonds. 

 

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With slightly recessed displays for the chronograph and the retrograde date, the elaborately finished dial has a sculptural look. It also features the seven-time F1™ world champions’s logo, resembling a panther’s eyes. The timepiece is fitted on a matching textile strap with a folding clasp.

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The eye-catcher on the dial is the flying hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock. French for “whirlwind”, the tourbillon consists of the balance wheel rotating around its axis in a small cage. Not only does this constant rotation provide a visual spectacle on the dial but it also reduces the influence of gravity on the oscillating system, increasing the watch’s accuracy. 

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Thanks to the integrated tourbillon stop, the mechanism can be brought to a complete halt, allowing the wearer to set the time with down-to-the-second accuracy. Consisting of 56 individual parts and weighing in at only 0.675 grams, the delicate mechanism is incredibly challenging for a watchmaker to assemble.

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The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre, which also features a chronograph function. The stopped hours and minutes are displayed on one counter at 12 o’clock, making the elapsed time easy and intuitive to read. Another feature is the retrograde date display. The pallet lever and escape wheel are made of silicone and feature a diamond coating. 

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This so-called Diamond Shell^®, technology reduces friction and improves the flow of energy in the movement, contributing to a generous power reserve of 68 hours. The movement components such as the bridges are gold-plated and can be admired through the sapphire glass back. This marks the first time IWC has produced a gold-plated movement since the legendary “Il Destriero Scafusia” from 1993.

THE THIRD SPECIAL EDITION SINCE 2014

The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton is the third timepiece designed in a collaboration between IWC and Lewis Hamilton. The first was the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition Lewis Hamilton (Ref. IW379602) with a titanium case and bracelet in 2014. 

On the case back, this edition featured a piece of carbon fibre from an original racing car. In 2019, Hamilton and IWC joined forces again to create the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Lewis Hamilton” (Ref. IW503002). This Big Pilot’s Watch combined a black ceramic case and a Burgundy dial with a crown and case-back ring made of 18-carat 5N gold.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: PORTUGIESER Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton

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 Ref. IW394008 

FEATURES

• Mechanical chronograph movement  
• – pallet lever and escape wheel with Diamond Shell® technology 
• – flying hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock 
• – retrograde date display 
• – stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds 
• – hour and minute counters combined in a totaliser at 12 o’clock 
• – flyback-function .
• – 18-carat gold oscillating weight 
• – see-through sapphire glass back 
• – limited to 44 watches

MOVEMENT
IWC-manufactured calibre 89900
Frequency:    28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
Jewels:    42
Power reserve:    68 h
Winding:    Automatic

WATCH
Materials: Platinum case
Diameter:    43.50 mm
Height:    15.90 mm
Water-resistant:    3 bar 
DIAL
Teal dial with 12 diamonds,
rhodium-plated hands and appliques
Glass:    Sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
STRAP
Teal textile strap
Strap reference: MXE0PGLT
Distance between horns: 22.0 MM
Folding clasp

🔰Edition
Limited edition of 44 timepieces 

🔴 Public price:   CHF 150'000 /155,430 EUR / $ 169,000 💰

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Further Information
IWC Schaffhausen Baumgartenstrasse 15 · CH-8201 Schaffhausen
Phone +41 (0)52 235 75 65 · Fax +41 (0)52 235 75 01 · press@iwc.com ·

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Press releases - 2023
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IWC Schaffhausen
Baumgartenstrasse 15 ·
CH-8201 Schaffhausen
Phone +41 (0)52 235 75 65 ·
Fax +41 (0)52 235 75 01 ·
Mobile  +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail  info@iwc.com
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