The Louis Moinet 1816 Chronograph, Tribute to the Famous Compteur de Tierces

Unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025, the 1816 Chronograph blends a modern integrated bracelet design with more traditional elements drawn from Louis Moinet‘s classic repertoire, in particular from the fascinating and remarkable Compteur de Tierces, one of the precursors of the modern chronograph. Powered by an appealing, traditional hand-wound chronograph movement, this new Louis Moinet 1816 made quite an impression. 

(Re)discovered in 2013, the Louis Moinet Compteur de Tierces was a precursor of the modern chronograph. Made in 1815-1816, it was designed to time the passage of stars. Endowed with a start, stop and reset function, it measures events to the 60th of a second. To reach this impressive precision, its balance wheel beats at an impressive 216,000 vibrations per hour. The central hand indicates the sixtieth of a second while the second, minutes and hours are recorded on separate subdials.

As the date in its name suggests, the Louis Moinet 1816 Chronograph is a nod to this historically important timepiece. Fashioned out of grade 5 titanium, this integrated design comes in a 40.5 mm round case. It features prominent pump-style pushers and a crown emblazoned with a fleur de lys, the emblem of the city of Bourges (France), where Louis Moinet was born. The water resistance is rated for 30m.

With its three registers and 4 blued screws, the rhodium-plated and microblasted dial is directly inspired by the Compteur de Tierces. At its periphery, the minute track is graduated with numerals every 6 minutes, a reference to the indication of the 1/60^th of the second of the Compteur de Tierces. Integrated into the case, the titanium bracelet features large single links and is elegantly arced to extend the curves of the case.

The watch is powered by the new, beautiful calibre LM1816. Developed and manufactured with Concepto, this proprietary movement is a hand-wound column-wheel chronograph with a horizontal clutch. Made of 330 parts, it ticks at 4Hz with a 48-hour power reserve. The jumping minute, distinguished by its wolf-tooth wheel in the movement, ensures precise time readings. 

Another beautiful touch, the variable inertia balance wheel features a swan-neck regulator. Its 3-dimensional architecture is enhanced by sober yet beautiful finishes underlined by the contrast between the 3N gilt, grained brass plate/bridges, the steel parts, the blued screws and the deep red jewels.

The Louis Moinet 1816 Chronograph retails for CHF 28,900 without taxes. For more information, please visit www.louismoinet.com.