ReviewMysteries Set In Stone: Louis Moinet Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli And Onyx

Louis Moinet has a penchant for creating awe-inspiring timepieces that combine novel designs and technical brilliance. The independent watch brand based in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, offers limited-run timepieces through its Cosmic Art and Mechanical Wonders collections, crafted from rare materials and cutting-edge technology, capturing the essence of limited-edition mechanical art. This brings us to two limited-edition timepieces from the Mechanical Wonders collection that further strengthen the creative horology inspiring Louis Moinet creations. The latest Tempograph Neo versions, Lapis Lazuli and Onyx, are limited to 28 pieces each. Both feature an ingenious 20-second retrograde mechanism with one of the brand’s classic cases that meets a contemporary dial. Both versions try to conjure images of the day and night sky, with the blue lapis lazuli stone dial and the black onyx stone dial.

A Mystical Delight: The Louis Moinet Tempograph Neo Versions

The Louis Moinet Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli and Tempograph Neo Onyx have a sophisticated architecture comprising 64 components. The devil is in the details, as the 44mm robust stainless steel case combines straight lines with delicately brushed and polished rounded edges. The Tempograph Neo versions feature a staggered bezel held together by six screws, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow. Other attractive features are the crown guard with an interchangeable tube and the lugs adorned with black spinels. These functional and aesthetic elements contribute to the case’s distinctive appeal and overall make the watch water-resistant up to 50m.

Providing a stellar example of technical excellence meeting the aesthetic, the Tempograph Neo presents two visual zones. The right side of the dial dedicatedly shows time indications with the 20-second retrograde hand and the sub-dial for the hours and minutes, while the left side offers partial views of the movement’s components through the skeletonised dial. At the centre, the retrograde hand counts a 20-second segment before returning to its initial position, only to head back again ticking to the 20-second mark. For the Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli, a red, blue, and grey counter marks the three 20-second sequences that make up each minute, while the Tempograph Neo Onyx features a red, black, and grey counter. To incorporate a dash of drama, the home time is contained within a sub-dial at four o’clock. Driving the two timepieces is the highly capable Calibre LM85-an automatic movement that beats at 28,800vph and delivers up to 48 hours of power reserve.

Encapsulating The Sky By Day And Night

The Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli testifies to Louis Moinet’s celestial craftsmanship with its hour dial and 20-second segment meticulously crafted from lapis lazuli. Its captivating ultramarine blue hue evokes visions of a star-studded sky adorned with golden constellations, lending an appearance of a cosmic journey.

The deep black tones of the Tempograph Neo Onyx heighten the mysterious placement of the off-centre dial for the minutes and hours, along with the 20-second retrograde segment. This precious black stone creates a great contrast with the steeliness of the case and open-worked mechanism.

Every Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli and Onyx timepiece is accompanied by an iconic box inspired by Louis Moinet’s renowned Treatise on Horology from 1848

The gorgeous black onyx plates enhance both the off-centre dial for minutes and hours and the 20-second retrograde segment with exquisite precision

The right side of the Louis Moinet Tempograph Neo's dial dedicatedly shows time indications with the 20-second retrograde hand

Included inside every Tempograph Neo box are cufflinks featuring a rotating moon, adding a touch of celestial elegance to any watch collection

01

The Tempograph Neo watches feature black rubber straps attached to chatons. Every Tempograph Neo Lapis Lazuli and Onyx timepiece is accompanied by an iconic box inspired by Louis Moinet’s renowned Treatise on Horology from 1848-one of the greatest horological texts of the century and a cornerstone in the world of watchmaking. Inside the box, nestled on both sides of the watch is a set of cufflinks depicting a rotating moon, adding celestial elegance to your watch collection.