Louis Moinet’s Astronef bags German Design Award
The Astronef, a revolutionary timepiece from Louis Moinet, featuring two unique satellite tourbillons, has been honoured with the German Design Award. This is in addition to three prestigious global prizes – namely the A’Design Award (Gold Prize), the Middle East Watch of the Year (Best Tourbillon Watch) and the Muse Design Award (Platinum Award) – which it has already received
The world-famous German Design Award recognised the Astronef for its innovative concept and futuristic design. This remarkable timepiece received a special mention in the “Excellent Product Design” category (Luxury Goods) by a jury made up of eminent international experts in design. Past prize winners include esteemed figures from the world of design such as Jasper Morrison and Konstantin Grcic. This is the sixth German Design Award granted to a Louis Moinet creation.
The Astronef features two satellite tourbillons that revolve around the dial and create a harmonious ballet in the process. They are inside cages that each rotate at a different rate, the one in ten minutes, the other in five. Every three minutes and twenty seconds, the two tourbillons align perfectly, which demands perfect synchronisation and accuracy.
These tourbillons, with their delicate and crisp lines, barely weigh 0.25 grammes each. The counterweight is a real exploit in terms of design and engineering. It adds to the spectacle, creating a kind of intimate pas de trois, merging art, engineering, and motion, thanks to a central differential. Needless to say, it increases the watch’s precision.
The movement side of the Astronef is just as impressive. The open case back reveals two barrel springs, one for each tourbillon. The LM 105 calibre, which includes sixteen ceramic ball bearings, runs this mechanical show. It took three intense years to make.
Other innovations include the crown that has been entirely reinvented and no longer needs to be pulled. Instead, a selector, cleverly integrated into the case back, is used to control two key functions, time-setting, and winding.
The Astronef boasts an ingenious case with delicately openworked lugs. Its undercarriage is topped by a sapphire crystal container. The resulting case has a unique design, with a resolutely modern spirit.
In addition to the original 18-carat red gold edition, Astronef is now available in a long-awaited edition in grade 5 titanium, which is also limited to eight pieces. The tourbillon cages and the two counterweights are still in elegant red gold, creating a subtle contrast with the contemporary flair of the titanium.
