The dial of the ONLY USA features an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, meticulously hand-painted on a grand feu enamel backdrop. Grand feu enamel is one of the most demanding techniques in the world of fine craftsmanship. Absolute mastery is required for its flawless production, which involves the successive application of several layers of enamel and multiple firings at very high temperatures.

It was on this “canvas” that one of the few craftsmen specialising in miniature painting, he reproduced a section of the historical document. Using an ultra-fine brush with a tip no thicker than a hair, reproduced the lettering of the original document with remarkable precision. An exercise in patience and meticulousness, requiring more than 110 hours of work, the result of which stands as a true work of art.

The dial is further distinguished by a hand-engraved 5N red gold applique composed of two concentric circles inspired by the famous Franklin Coin struck during the American Revolution. The outer circle represents the thirteen colonies that gave rise to the United States, with Virginia positioned at 12 o’clock to recall its historic role. The inner circle displays the year 1776, the date on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress.

As for the frieze decoration on the upper section of the case surrounding the dial, it recalls an exceptional clock created by Louis Moinet for President James Monroe, one of the Founding Fathers and the fifth President of the United States. That clock is still housed in the White House today and continues to tell time more than two centuries after it was made.

At the centre of this visual composition sits a fragment of a special iron meteorite. It was acquired in the mid-1960s from the captain of a fishing vessel in New York harbour, who had apparently obtained it from an Inuit person. It remains to this day the only meteorite officially named “New York” by the Meteoritical Society.

Through his collaboration with Luc Labenne, renowned meteorite hunter, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet were able to secure a fragment of this legendary specimen for the ONLY USA.

The dewdrop hands with their black nickel finish combined with white Super-LumiNova add a touch of contrast as they glide over the richly composed dial.

The 45.4 mm, 18-carat red gold case of the ONLY USA has been entirely decorated by hand by a master engraver.

The case middle, case back and lower section of the bezel together are remarkably complex, with every detail contributing to a unified harmony. Along the side of the case run the thirteen stripes of the American flag. At 6 o’clock, they frame the United States motto, E Pluribus Unum, while a star adorns the upper part of the case at 12 o’clock.

White House, Washington DC

ONLY USA also pays homage to an exceptional clock created by Louis Moinet for President James Monroe, one of the Founding Fathers and the fifth President of the United States. Still housed in the White House today, it continues to run more than two centuries after it was made. Its decorative frieze reappears on the lower section of the bezel, while the floral motifs adorning the clock’s dial are reproduced on the four lugs. Through the art of engraving, this intricately interlaced ornamentation forms a unique ensemble where American history meets the Louis Moinet legacy.

Several iconic details from the ORIGINAL case also make an appearance. The crown is adorned with the fleur-de-lys, symbol of Bourges, the birthplace of Louis Moinet. The lugs, meanwhile, are accented with black spinels set in bezels.

To power the ONLY USA, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet chose a tourbillon movement renowned for its chronometric performance. Its 18-carat red gold tourbillon bridge, specially crafted for the occasion, adds an extra touch of refinement to this outstanding mechanism.

This calibre was the winner of the International Chronometry Competition, which involved a very tough protocol including four months of testing and more than 150 shock resistance trials. This is a fitting tribute to Louis Moinet himself, one of the pioneers of high frequency and precision.