Russell Sheldrake
The Louis Monet Starman may not have shot for the moon, but it certainly feels like it landed among the stars. Featuring parts of two different meteorites on the dial and a hand-painted representation of the solar system on the caseback, this watch is truly out of this world. But at this point, we’ve come to expect pretty much these things from Louis Monet. Louis Monet is a brand that, thanks to its owner, has a continuous connection with space and extraterrestrial matter. In fact, this isn’t the first time the brand has placed two different meteorites on the dial of a watch. All this is mounted on top of a complex and exquisitely finished tourbillon movement. But let’s dig into the details of this piece and find out if it’s rocket science or just horology.
dial
The dial, which is literally the star of the show, is likely where most of this watch’s action takes place, and there’s certainly a lot to note. The main attraction is the two parts of the meteorite, one forming 12 small black circles, created from the Jibylet Winselwan meteorite that fell in Western Sahara in 2013. What makes this space stone stand out is its high density. Amino acids are known as building blocks of proteins. The deep black of the stone is interrupted by small flecks of brown, giving the impression of a tranquil night sky within its small discs.
To find the second meteorite, you must look all the way to the back of all the other dial furniture. There, you’ll find recognizable slices of the Gibeon meteorite and the blue-stained Widmanstätten pattern. Usually this is placed front and center by the brand, but here Louis Monet puts it in the background of the night sky by placing a disc of sapphire on top and dotting luminescent paint that glows along with the hands. I decided to change it to . 12 tracks and logos.
Among all this, the flying tourbillon opening is located at position 6 and acts as a running small seconds thanks to the luminous arrow at its tip. We’ll talk more about this and the production caliber LM139 later, but having it here helps create a visual balance between the dial and the Jubilette Winselwan slice above.
case
The Starman comes in a rose gold or white gold case, and its diameter is large at 47.4 mm, helping to hold the double-barreled movement inside. The side of the case is engraved with the brand name (reminds me of Blancpain). It’s a bit of a flashy touch, but fans of the brand will love it. Every inch of the case is fully polished, so it’s prone to fingerprints, but it has a real shine when the light hits it. The notch and screw-down bezel also have angled parts that can change how they capture light as you move them. The lugs are skeletonized and appear to grip the curved, polished sides of the case by allowing light to flow around it.
The large crown, featuring the brand’s Fleur de Lys logo, is very easy to operate and makes it easy to replenish the manual movement’s power reserve. The back of the case features a full display case back, allowing you to take a close look at the hand-painted solar system. The miniature display is mounted on a black grid and is set by default to show the planet’s position on March 21, 2013. This was a significant day for Louis Monet, as it was the day brand owner Jean-Marie Schaller announced to Louis Monet. A world where a man named Louis Monet is the true inventor of the chronograph. However, if there is a more important date you would like to commemorate on the back of this watch, Louis Monet will be happy to oblige.
movement
The LM139 caliber is a bit of an impressive beast. It runs a flying tourbillon with a power reserve of 96 hours, thanks to two barrels arranged in a “volte-face” configuration. This means that one barrel is inverted to allow for a smooth, continuous flow of power. The movement can be seen through a colored sapphire disc beneath the miniature solar system, so we cannot fully admire the level of finish and construction. But we are all here to visualize the universe above all else. The flying tourbillon that continues to rotate on the dial side offers a glimpse into Louis Monet’s watchmaking abilities.
strap
Both the rose gold and white gold versions of the Louis Monet Starman feature a blue alligator leather strap with a matching folding clasp that features a large fleur de lis on the outside. This helps balance the weight of the large gold case when worn on the wrist.
judgment
There is a lot to see about Louis Monet Starman. This watch is big, unassuming, and feels like you’re inside a planetarium when it’s on your wrist. The glowing constellations on the dial are interrupted by pieces of real meteorites, and the reverse features a miniature solar system to commemorate meaningful dates. There’s a lot to talk about before we get to the advanced horology involved with this watch. So if you have the wrist space to achieve this size, and you like to be stargazing all the time, this might be the ideal watch for you.
Louis Monet Starman price and availability
The Louis Monet Starman is limited to just 12 pieces per metal type. Price: CHF 160,000 (extra CHF 6,000 for customization).
Brand Louis Monet Model Starman Case dimensions 47.4mm (D) Case material Red or white gold Water resistance 30 meters Crystal Sapphire front and rear Dial Meteorite bracelet and strap Blue alligator Movement LM139, flying tourbillon, manual winding Power reserve 96 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, flying tourbillon Availability 12 pieces per case Metal Price 160,000 Swiss Francs
