Illuminating The Cosmos: The Louis Moinet Moon Meteor
Today, Louis Moinet continues its fascination with the cosmos. The brand’s latest creation, the Moon Meteor, is a limited edition of just 12 pieces that turns the dial into a miniature cosmic scene. Hand-painted nebulae, real meteorite fragments, and a precise astronomical moonphase display come together under a domed sapphire crystal in a lightweight Grade 5 titanium case.
Recently, we’ve enjoyed reviewing the 1816 series of watches from Louis Moinet. They’re classical and truly refreshing in a marketplace filled with nearly identical-looking pieces. However, we’ve been missing the technical whimsy that often defines the brand. Today’s Moon Meteor, seen at the recent Geneva Watch Days 2026, is a return to the razzle-dazzle we so enjoy.
The Moon Meteor at a glance
Louis Moinet’s Moon Meteor features a 40.7mm Grade 5 titanium case with a 17.92mm total thickness. It boasts polished and satin-finished surfaces and weighs only 18 grams. Happily, the details continue. Openworked lugs integrate the Louisiana alligator strap with a folding clasp. The water resistance is a modest 30 meters, as expected for a piece focused on artistry rather than adventure.
An incredible dial
At the center of the dial sits a slightly domed lunar disc. Its engraved surface features hand-painted craters that glow under ultraviolet light. Unsurprisingly, two lunar meteorite fragments mark the full and new moons. Gadamis 005, used for the full moon, is notable for its marbled gray-and-white texture and connection to the Apollo 16 landing region. Then, Dhofar 457, the new moon, has a deep black color stemming from creation during crater formation. A hand-painted astronaut stands above the disc and serves as the reference during the lunar cycles.
The surrounding celestial landscape is a multilayered miniature painting. An artist works under a binocular microscope with a brush, applying successive layers of lacquer, varnish, and viscous glowing paint to create it. Interestingly, the progress is checked in light and darkness. In the light, the dial shows vivid nebula colors crossed by three “meteors.” In darkness, the sky lights up dramatically, revealing the hidden luminescence.
Within the dial, three unique meteorite fragments were chosen for their rarity and history. First, at 8 o’clock, we find the Martian NWA 13925, a rare and incredibly valuable material. In addition, the dial displays a Jbilet Winselwan meteorite at 2 o’clock. Finally, the watch uses an extremely uncommon Sahara 97093 EH3 enstatite meteorite at 4 o’clock. Pleasingly, all have different coloring and composition. Furthermore, the outer flange is cut from the ancient Muonionalusta meteorite and shows Widmanstätten patterns. The hour markers and graduations are laser-engraved for clarity.
The LM113 automatic movement
The automatic Louis Moinet caliber LM113, developed with partner Concepto, powers the Moon Meteor. Next, a gear train featuring a 135-tooth wheel drives the central astronomical moon with remarkable accuracy. It deviates by just one day every 122 years! From a performance perspective, the 29-jewel LM113 runs at 28,800 vph and offers a 48-hour power reserve. Functionally, it displays hours, minutes, and the lunar cycle.
Limited and exclusive
Louis Moinet will produce just 12 examples of the Moon Meteor. It’s a masterful continuation of Louis Moinet’s tradition of blending rare materials with stunning hand craftsmanship and precise astronomical complications. The watch costs CHF 48,000, and while that’s not inexpensive, considering the amount of artistry and the vast number of meteorites used, I don’t doubt that a dozen examples will find their way onto wrists.
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