The Louis Moinet Black Moon tells you the moonphase with ancient Moon rocks (live pics)
Borna Bošnjak- The central moonphase display is made from slices of Dhofar 457 and Gadamis 005 lunar meteorite, precise to 122 years.
- Made from grade 5 titanium, the 40.7mm case sports wide, skeletonised lugs and a domed sapphire crystal.
- Limited to 60 pieces, the Louis Moinet Black Moon is priced at US$34,000.
Inventing a world-first complication is no small feat, but inventing a 216,000vph, double pusher chronograph way before anyone else managed a chronograph, period, feels like something that should be more celebrated. That’s exactly what Louis Moinet did back in 1816, kickstarting the development of what is probably the most wide-spread complication today (we’re not counting date wheels, people). The brand’s modern output is decidedly avant-garde, following in the spirit of the eponymous horologist and expanding on the idea behind the creation of the Compteur de Tierces. The Louis Moinet Black Moon is not a chronograph, however, instead taking inspiration from the starry sky that Louis Moinet would look at in order to calibrate his astronomical clock, while also using the high beat rate of his first chronograph. With an accurate, 122-year moonphase display, the Black Moon uses two pieces of lunar meteorite to depict the full Moon and new Moon, placed centrally thanks to a Concepto-developed movement.
The Black Moon very much follows the design language of most current Louis Moinet models. It’s a bold dial with large, dominating indices and many levels, including the central portion with the meteorites surrounded by an aventurine glass outer ring. The sparkly glass is commonly used when it comes to space-themed watches, as it gives the depiction of stars in the night sky, but the point of differentiation here is certainly the central moonphase indicator. Using pieces of Dhofar 457 and Gadamis 005, meteorite fragments found in Oman and Libya, respectively, the Black Moon indicates the current phase with the red-lined index at 3 o’clock.
Unlike, say, the Gibeon meteorite, the Black Moon uses stones from the Moon. Before being sliced into thin wafers to be used for Louis Moinet’s watches, Dhofar 457 was a 99.52 gram stone found by Luc Labenne in 2001, as part of 12 different stones discovered in the area, and going on to sell for US$99,000. Accented by red in the Black Moon, it indicates the full moon. Gadamis 005 was found in 2022, and was much bigger weighing in at 10kg in total, with a composition similar to that of the specimens brought back by the crew of Apollo 16.
The left side is taken up by the running seconds, with the compass-like hand having a shorter and longer side, allowing the wearer to read the one-sided scale more easily, suspended over an open heart portion showing off a glimpse of the beating escapement.
At 40.7mm in diameter, the Louis Moinet Black Moon certainly looks more imposing than its case dimensions suggest. The brawny, skeletonised lugs and protruding crown are the main reasons for this, giving the Black Moon a properly muscular look. While the 50-metre water resistance isn’t exactly sporty, the case is made from grade 5 titanium which does match its athletic build.
Developed with long-time partners Concepto, the Black Moon is powered by the LM110 calibre. With a skeletonised winding rotor featuring Louis Moinet’s logo, it leaves much room for the decoration beneath to shine. There’s a pleasant level of detail here, with mainly perlage and circular striping making an appearance. Specs include a 4Hz beat rate as well as a 48-hour power reserve, which is admittedly quite low for this level of calibre. However, it’s the aforementioned moonphase that is the LM110’s main innovation, the precision achieved via a 135-toothed wheel that means adjustment is necessary once every 122 years.
Louis Moinet Black Moon pricing and availability
The Louis Moinet Black Moon is a limited edition of 60 pieces. Price: US$34,000
| Brand | Louis Moinet |
| Model | Black Moon |
| Reference | LM-110.20.50 |
| Case Dimensions | 40.7mm (D) |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Aventurine and lunar meteorite |
| Strap | Fitted black alligator leather, folding clasp |
| Movement | LM110, made by Concepto, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, moonphase |
| Availability | Limited to 60 pieces |
| Price | US$34,000 |