ReviewNeed For Speed: Presenting Louis Moinet’s Time To Race Chronographs

Of all complications, the chronograph still remains one of the most useful due to its high functionality and relevance in the modern world. And when one talks about this mechanism, one cannot leave Louis Moinet out of the discussion since the famed watchmaker, under whose name the brand has been built, invented the first chronograph in 1816. So, it’s not surprising that most of their creations pay tribute to or are inspired by the chronograph, and their Time to Race series captures the essence of this mechanism in all its glory, while celebrating the fast-paced motorsport world. While it’s not a limited-edition series, these chronographs are one-of-a-kind creations, where collectors have the option of getting their watches personalised by selecting a one- or two-digit ‘lucky number’ that will feature on the dial, along with a dedicated colour code in options of Rosso Corsa, Racing Green or French Blue—colours selected specifically since they embody the most legendary cars in motorsports where red is associated with Italy, green with England, and blue with France—so no two watches will be alike.

There is also an ‘Orange Papaya’ version that stands out for its vibrant hue and looks pretty chic with a blue inner bezel ring. Let’s take a closer look at all these watches that combine the love for racing and timekeeping.

Time To Race: Driven By Precision And Innovative Design

These stylish chronographs are crafted in grade-5 titanium and come in polished and satin-brushed cases, measuring 40.7mm and weighing only 18 grams. The quest for minimum weight ensures more comfort and a more seamless fit on the wrist. The dial gives a generous view of the mechanism—fully visible and highlighted in a whole new way, while the domed crystal also allows a better view from the side. Just like racing cars, even this watch has been built in an aerodynamic way so as to offer improved functionality and greater precision.

The glareproofed sapphire crystal features an imposing curvature, which allows for the column-wheel to be placed more efficiently. This ingenious design has also resulted in a new type of inner bezel ring—dissociated from the crystal, which makes it possible to combine two different readings of short-time measurements: a tachymeter scale and a 60-second display.

The open-worked lugs showcase a subtle satin-brushed camber, which highlights their integration with the strap. And like all Louis Moinet creations, they are tipped with their emblematic signature design—featuring four black zircons with chatons—held by screws

This bi-material inner bezel ring has a white luminescent transfer along with a circular satin finish, and is designed to enable readability in the dark. This frames a woven, carbon fibre main plate, highlighting the 147 components of the chronograph mechanism. It also provides the reading contrast that is so useful during chronograph operations, indicated by the large coloured hand and one of the two smoke-coloured counters. The hours and minutes can be read easily off a sub-dial at six o’clock and also features the ‘lucky number’, painted in black on a white backdrop with a glossy polished finish, and surrounded by a metal ring—reminiscent of the bores used in racing cars.

As mentioned earlier, the sleek case features fluid lines and on the side there is a new crown base. The open-worked lugs showcase a subtle satin-brushed camber, which highlights their integration with the strap. And like all Louis Moinet creations, they are tipped with their emblematic signature design—featuring four black zircons with chatons—held by screws.

The Driving Force—Calibre LM96

The Time to Race chronograph is powered by the dynamic Calibre LM96—an automatic movement, composed of 30 jewels, beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, supplying an energy reserve of at least 48 hours. This single-pusher column wheel chronograph showcases a 60-second counter at nine o’clock and a 30-minute sub-dial at three o’clock. The highly contemporary design segregates the chronograph mechanism in two parts—147 for the upper part and 164 components for the lower part of the movement.

And all it takes is pressing the single pusher once to activate the mechanism and one can view the working unfold where the various elements such as levers, clutch, hammers, column wheel, springs, and wheels, are all set into motion. Like all Louis Moinet movements, this one, too, is decorated and beautifully finished and polished. Water-resistant to 50m, the Time to Race chronographs are presented on red, blue or green rubber straps replete with triple-blade folding clasps.