Louis Moinet was born in Bourges in 1768 into a well-to-do family of farmers. During his studies, he quickly distinguished himself for his mastery of classical subjects, and he regularly took first place in academic competitions. While still a student, he was introduced to the world of watch making, and he spent almost all of his free time by the side of a master watchmaker. He was also privately tutored in drawing by an Italian painter. At the age of twenty, Louis Moinet dreamed only of Italy, that classical land of fine arts. So, he soon left France for Rome where he lived for five years studying architecture, sculpting and painting. There he came into regular contact with members of the French Academy which brought together the most illustrious artists of the time. From Rome, he went on to Florence to perfect the artistic skills he had acquired. As a painter, his legacy includes a number of fine works.

Upon his return to Paris, he was made a Professor of Fine Arts at the Louvre. At this time, he also began his theoretical and practical studies of watch making, an art which he already loved most passionately. He re-established contact with his former master watchmaker and, within less than ten years, the master was to find himself in the position of student to Moinet. Watch making soon engrossed all of Moinet's time and its tools brought him frequently to Switzerland where he spent extended periods of time. He became President of the Chronometry Society of Paris, and a member of a number of learned and artistic societies. When Moinet met Abraham-Louis Breguet, the latter was already quite famous. Breguet recognised Moinet's worth at once, and the two men worked closely together. From 1811 on, Moinet became Breguet's personal adviser.

Abraham-Louis Breguet's son, Antoine-Louis, found it difficult to tolerate the presence of a man who spent far more time with his father than he himself could. When Breguet passed away in 1823, Moinet left the house on the Quai de l'Horloge to live elsewhere.

Among his many technical accomplishments, Moinet re-made a Ferdinand Berthoud regulator almost in its entirety. He also invented a counter that, even today, is unequalled. The same can be said for another regulator and an astronomical watch.

In terms of watch making techniques, Moinet was a genius and he improved upon many existing methods. According to records from an exposition of industry products, a Mr. Francoeur recognised the usefulness of a new balance-cock which helped with rewinding. The idea belonged to Mr. Moinet.

Louis Moinet undertook to share his extensive knowledge of watch making and, in 1848, he published the Traité d'Horlogerie. Indispensable for anyone in the field, this volume is the most complete and most well written book on watch making in existence. It is also an everlasting monument to Moinet, establishing for all time his talent and reputation. He sacrificed everything to art: his time, his fortune and his health. He spent most of his life creating, imbuing materials with a life of their own.

We had the great fortune to live near to him during the last 12 years of his life, and no one can appreciate the many qualities of heart and spirit of this excellent man more so than we can. He was always, in all of his interactions, the man we knew as President of the Chronometry Society: precise, lucid, indulgent, illuminating the weak with support and encouragement, sharing his own light and knowledge without restriction or the slightest hesitation.

Louis Moinet died in Paris on 21 May 1853. We hold him in our memory as one of the most capable watch makers that ever lived.

Les Ateliers Louis Moinet are located in Auvernier, in the foothills of the Jura mountains in Switzerland. It is an independent company run by Jean-Marie Schaller and Micaela Bartolucci, two individuals with a passion for craftsmanship and watchmaking culture. They are dedicated to manufacturing personalised watches in limited editions and in one-of-a-kind models distinguished by their unique design.

The world of Louis Moinet is based on four values, evoked by markings engraved on each watch :

Louis Moinet was both a talented artist and a master-watchmaker. Each watch is a perfect fusion between design & watchmaking, thus producing a unique and different spirit of creation.

- Variograph is a vision of traditional watchmaking revisited by Louis Moinet. For the first time, a watch indicates the full moon to its wearer ;
- Twintech is an innovative Manufacture-made movement inspired by Louis Moinet drawings of a double-barrel pocket-watch, made in 1848.

Louis Moinet's unique artistic spirit is embodied in innovative creations. Design is highlighted by a newly invented decoration, the Côtes du Jura, based on an exclusive proprietary manufacturing process. Highly complicated handcrafted dials contribute to the uniqueness of Louis Moinet.

- the French balance-cock, invented in the 17th century to protect the movement from dust, is now used on the dial-side of Twintech, delicately pierced to reveal its balance-wheel ;
- the tonneau and rectangular watch cases are genuine design creations, unmistakable and protected by international patents. They have been inspired by the rich world of Louis Moinet.