Speed Of Sound

SPEED OF SOUND: Louis Moinet revisits an iconic calibre

Innovating a historic movement

At the heart of SPEED OF SOUND is the Valjoux 88, a historic calibre built in the 1940s. Louis Moinet's master watchmakers have used all their skills to modernise this icon of Swiss watchmaking and place it inside a timepiece with a unique contemporary style.

Key to this intelligent and inventive transformation is the moon indication that has been entirely redesigned to offer a display never seen before in watchmaking. Its large, slightly domed disc features a lunar motif drawn by hand using luminescent paint that vividly recalls the splendour of the orb of the night.

A fragment of the Dhofar 457, a rare lunar meteorite, was placed on the same disc to symbolise the full moon. This fragment owes its colour to its origin: a lunar crater. The two pointers positioned at 3 and 9 o'clock indicate the current state of the moon. When the fragment is perfectly aligned with one of these indicators, it indicates the full moon.

Connoisseurs will notice that the date markers have been removed, a deliberate choice to reinterpret this calibre in a resolutely modern spirit.

A modern interpretation

The SPEED OF SOUND's contemporary signature is expressed through a carefully crafted artistic design elements.

The dial blends deep black with the warm glow of red gold, a rich contrast of colours that underlines this timepiece’s truly unique identity. It was created with Yann von Kaenel's guilloché engines using traditional engraving techniques. The unique design evokes a technological material with deep black hues. The pattern, which radiates deep and mesmerising energy, interacts playfully with light whenever it moves. Sometimes it flashes brightly, at other times it seems to hide discreetly.

The chronograph counter and the small seconds dial feature the Aletai iron meteorite, adding both texture and a touch of mystery.

The picture is completed by carefully designed hands and indexes, which were kept purposely sober to avoid disturbing the aesthetic balance of the piece. The SPEED OF SOUND is housed in a 40-millimetre, grade 5 titanium case. It is elegant and light on the wrist. The sapphire dome, a technical feat in itself, magnifies every detail of the dial, while the openworked horns allow the bracelet to fit in perfectly.

A hand-engraved movement

The transparent case back of the SPEED OF SOUND reveals the engraving, a traditional motif with floral curves and delicate scrolls reminiscent of lace. It bears witness to the ancestral art of hand engraving. This enchanting ensemble adds a touch of mechanical poetry.

Speed of Sound: measuring the speed of sound

This chronograph features a very special scale that can show the speed of sound by measuring the distance of a sound event. Take a thunderstorm:  the chronograph is started at the sight of lightning and stopped as soon as thunder resounds.