In 1816, master watchmaker Louis Moinet crafted the world’s first chronograph, an innovation that would change the course of horology. Originally designed to measure the motion of celestial bodies, his “compteur de tierces” introduced precision timing at a scale that was revolutionary for its time. More than two centuries later, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet honours this milestone with the rebirth of the 1816 chronograph, a timepiece that remains faithful to its origin while embracing the finest standards of contemporary haute horlogerie.
Housed in a polished and satin-finished grade 5 titanium case, the new 1816 measures 40.6 mm in diameter and features a double-gadroon design inspired by the original Directoire style. The smooth case middle, fleur-de-lys crown, and harmonious proportions evoke the elegance of its ancestor, while the integrated “Project BRIDGE” titanium bracelet offers a modern, sculptural flow around the wrist. With 51 components in the case and an ergonomic link design, the watch delivers both visual refinement and lasting comfort.
The rhodium dial mirrors Moinet’s original functional architecture, with a central chronograph hand flanked by a 30-minute instantaneous totaliser and small seconds at the top, and a 12-hour counter below. Every detail speaks to precision: bead-blasted surfaces, engraved markings, blued-steel hands, and luminescent-tipped openworked hour and minute hands. Ten blackened nickel cabochons and four blued-steel screws complete the intricate 23-part dial, crowned by a fleur-de-lys at twelve o’clock in homage to Moinet’s birthplace, Bourges.
Inside, the hand-wound calibre LM1816—developed in collaboration with Concepto—comprises 330 components and 34 jewels, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It offers a 48-hour power reserve and incorporates hallmark features of high-end chronographs: a column wheel for precise control, a swan-neck regulator for fine adjustment, and an instantaneous minute counter that eliminates reading errors by jumping precisely at each sixtieth second. The movement’s open back reveals an artful interplay of gold-plated bridges, blued screws, steel components, and deep red rubies.
True to Moinet’s dual identity as artist and watchmaker, the 1816 blends mechanical ingenuity with visual harmony. Its design remains faithful to the pioneering spirit of the original instrument while expressing a distinctly modern aesthetic. The absence of a rear plate allows light to illuminate the movement’s layered architecture, celebrating both engineering prowess and artisanal finishing.
The 1816 is more than a reissue—it is a living bridge between past and present, conceived for connoisseurs who value the story behind their timepiece as much as its performance. In its every detail, from heritage-inspired design cues to contemporary technical mastery, it captures the enduring truth of Louis Moinet’s philosophy: that innovation, executed with elegance, is timeless.
