Grade 5 Titanium
Limited edition of 11 watches
LM-111.20.01
A watchmaking premiere with an authentic fragment from Apollo 11
The MOON TECH, which comes in a limited edition of eleven pieces, boasts an unprecedented display of the lunar cycle. The full moon and the new moon are represented by two lunar meteorites placed on a domed central disc. It is read off via the index at 3 o'clock, enhanced by an authentic fragment of Kapton leaf from the Apollo 11 mission. The timepiece indicates the full moon when the meteorite surrounded by a golden circle aligns with this indicator. It’s the perfect time to remember that moment when the world held its breath: Apollo 11 nearing the Moon for a momentous event for all of humanity, the first human foot on a surface other than Earth.
“When I was a child, I always dreamt of the stars. Seeing man’s first step on the Moon live was an unforgettable moment that fired up my imagination and triggered what would become a passion for collecting, and an eagerness to possess fragments of the universe and pieces of history.
Over a half-century later, I would like to invite you to relive this epic adventure by way of an exceptional timepiece: The MOON TECH. At the heart of this creation is a sample of Kapton, a film of polyimide that travelled from Earth to Moon and back aboard Apollo 11.
The MOON TECH features an astronomical Moon driven by a brand-new mechanism. It shows the full moon and the new moon represented by two lunar meteorites from two distinct rocks placed on a central, vaulted disc. The piece of Kapton has a key function, namely, to indicate the state of the Moon. As for the dial, it is made from a silicon wafer engraved with microelectronic circuits, as a tribute to the technological ingenuity that enabled the Apollo 11 mission to achieve the impossible.
The countdown has started – 3... 2... 1... 0... – all engines running. Come along on a unique voyage of discov ery: the MOON TECH. This collection, which is limited to eleven models only, is for those who want to become the keepers of a fragment from the historic conquest of space, and now, thanks to horological ingenuity, of a precious astronomical moon.”
Jean-Marie Schaller
CEO & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Reinventing a lunar indication
The sober look of this timepiece belies the mechanism driving this astronomical moon complication, which is the product of cutting-edge engineering and technology. This device, whose complex gear train includes a 135-tool wheel, provides excellent precision. Indeed, unlike conventional moon phase displays, the MOON TECH boasts a deviation of just one day in 122 years.
Technical Data
Caliber LM111
Manufacture Calibre, Astronomical Moon
Automatic
28000 VPH (4 Hz)
48 hours
Jewels: 29
40.7 mm
Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Moon
30 metres
Alligator
20 mm
Folding clasp
Grade 5 Titanium
Silicon wafer engraved with microelectronic circuits dial
Swiss made
A piece of Apollo 11’s history
Apollo 11 allowed mankind to put a foot on Moon for the first time ever. Among the precious memorabilia from this mission is a real fragment of the polyimide film known as Kapton, which was used for the thermal protection of the astronauts in the Columbia command module.
This special material made it from Earth to Moon and back, thus travelling thousands of kilometres through space. It was recuperated after the splashdown and is a unique collector’s item that witnessed one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of humanity.
Two meteorites, two separate moon rocks
Gadamis 005
The most beautiful lunar meteorite
Gadamis 005 is considered one of the most beautiful lunar meteorites by specialists. It originated in a region explored by the crew of the Apollo 16 mission. In the MOON TECH, this meteorite represents the full moon and is ringed in gold. Its exceptional structure in a marbled greyish white subtly evokes the reliefs of the lunar surface and carries us to the fascinating mysteries of our natural satellite.
Dhofar 457
An intensely black rock from a lunar crater
Dhofar 457 owes its intense black hue to its origin. The meteorite had earlier landed on the moon creating a crater. A second event then propelled some of the rock into space, where it began its long and adventurous journey, ultimately landing in the Dhofar desert.
Boldly modern, quietly technical
The dial surrounding the central lunar disc was conceived three-dimensionally and offers stunning interplay among the different planes. It rests on a silicon wafer engraved with microelectronic circuits that evokes the key technology needed for the success of the Apollo 11 mission. The structured surface creates a kaleidoscopic decor of light reflections that change with each movement of the wrist. The indexes are held in place by a central ring and a flange. It’s a fascinatingly complex structure.
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The luminescent material (SNL) on the indexes ensures optimal readability in the dark. The index at 3 o’clock is covered with an authentic fragment of Kapton, which indicates its function as a reference point for the Moon’s state. The sober flange also contributes for the overall modern look of this timepiece.
Another ingenious detail is the subdial at 9 o’clock housing sector seconds. In this unusual display, the hand, modelled after a compass pointer, uses its longer end to count off the first 30 seconds on the upper track. The shorter hand then comes around to tick off the next 30 seconds on the lower track.
An openworked zone between 8 and 10 o’clock reveals the balance wheel, escapement, and bridges. It’s a detail that further highlights the play with depth and the very technical character of this contemporary timepiece.
The oscillating weight has been redesigned and is revealed on the movement side of the MOON TECH. It is modern and sophisticated, with an elaborate construction that features assertive lines. It, too, has been openworked to show the fascinating beauty of the mechanism.
The titanium case, precision engineering
The MOON TECH is assembled in a grade 5 polished and satin-finished titanium case with sleek, modern lines. It is an extremely light timepiece, weighing in at only 18 grammes. The domed sapphire crystal is a high-tech feat in itself that enables one to appreciate the depth and detail of the dial. The openworked lugs perfectly underline the integration of the strap. The crown is adorned with the emblem of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, a beautiful fleur de lys.
