Parts of the rocket launched by the space station resupply vehicle “Kounotori” are set on the dial
Swiss luxury watch brand LOUIS MOINET, for which GM International Co., Ltd. serves as the sole distributor in Japan, will release “Japan Rocket” on Friday, December 1. Due to the use of rare materials, it is a special model limited to 20 pieces in Japan.
feature
Rocket parts and moon meteorites in the Hinomaru design
The aluminum capsule at 3 o’clock is decorated with a round moon meteorite with a red varnished finish. This is a rare meteorite that fell into the Dhofar Desert in Oman after a journey of 400,000 km after being torn from the surface of the moon, and only about 300 meteorites have been recorded in the world.
Below that, the fairing parts of the H-IIB rocket that launched the space station resupply vehicle “Kounotori” are set. The authenticity of the parts is guaranteed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The H-IIB rocket was jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and completed nine successful missions between 2009 and 2020. Located at the tip of the rocket, the fairing serves as a shell to protect the payload from acoustics, vibrations, and frictional heat. After launch, when the rocket reaches a sufficient altitude, it separates into two and falls into a safe area in the Pacific Ocean for recovery. The use of a fairing that played a major role in protecting the “Kounotori” on the dial is a unique and innovative idea typical of Louis Monet.
The combination of the red moon meteorite and the white fairing parts is inspired by the Japanese flag.
Gibeon meteorite
In the center of the dial, a Gibeon meteorite (an iron meteorite composed mainly of iron and nickel) is set in midnight blue reminiscent of the universe. This meteorite, which was formed about 4 billion years ago, fell to the earth about 450 million years ago and is said to have been discovered in the 1830s in an area called Gibeon, Namibia.
It is characterized by a mysterious pattern of fine meshes, called the Widmannstetten structure. It has been scientifically proven that it is impossible to reproduce on Earth this pattern, which is produced by the separation and crystallization of nickel from iron by slowly cooling at a speed of 1°C every million years in a special environment in space.
index
With a glossy finish, the applied hour index has a strong presence. The edges and sides are colored black, and the center is colored white, and the contrast with the black dial makes it easy to see. It brings a three-dimensional effect to the dial and creates a sharp expression.
Case/Strap
The case bezel is named “Neo Case” and is designed in a three-dimensional form. The lugs are open-work specifications that are hollowed out horizontally. A Louisiana alligator leather strap with a unique pattern and luster that allows you to enjoy aging. The crown and strap are decorated with Louis Monet’s symbol fleur de lis (coat of arms of the lily).
Movement
The Côtes de Genève, circular satin finish, circular grain finish, and other traditional decorations of haute horlogerie. From the sapphire crystal caseback, you can admire the movement of the rotors with a crew de Paris on concentric circles.
specification
◆ Basic information
Model name: Japan Rocket
Item No.: LM-45.10.JP
Price: ¥3,850,000 (¥3,500,000 + tax)
Limited number: Limited to 20 pieces in Japan
◆ Movement
Caliber: LM45
Function: Hour, Minute, Second
Type: Automatic winding (flicker-screw type)
Power reserve: 48 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Number of stones: 22 stones
Water resistance: 5 ATM/50 m
◆ Case
Size: Diameter 43.2mm
Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Windshield: Sapphire crystal (double-sided non-reflective coating)
◆ Dial
Features: Gibeon meteorite, moon meteorite, H-IIB rocket fairing parts set
◆ Strap
Material: Louisiana alligator leather
Buckle: Folding clasp (double opening)
About Louis Monet
Watchmaker Louis Monet
Louis Monet (1768~1853) was a great watchmaker who created the world’s first chronograph mechanism, and was an exceptional genius who also showed his talent in various fields such as art and astronomy.
Born in Bourges, France, he enjoyed watchmaking as a hobby from an early age. When he became interested in art, he moved to Rome at the age of 20, where he studied architecture, sculpture and painting for five years. He then became a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, where he interacted with various renowned artists, rekindling his passion for watches.
In 1800, he began his training in watchmaking in Switzerland in earnest and quickly distinguished himself as a watchmaker with a royal warrant. Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, the King of Russia and the Queen of France were among the guests who produced watches for VIP customers around the world. His style of fusing the essence of art with the highest level of technology, which was said to be anticipating the future 100 years from now, was the most distinctive feature of his work. Built in 1816, the 216,000 chronographs per hour for astronomical observation have been recognized by two Guinness World Records as the world’s first chronograph and high-vibration watches.
Twenty years to write, his watchmaking treatise “Traité d’Horlogerie” published in 1848 was the culmination of the watchmaker Louis Monet and the greatest bible of the watchmaking world that followed. However, his name was forgotten in the memory of the people, as he devoted himself entirely to the best watchmaking, not to gain status or fame.
The birth of the watch brand Louis Monet
In order to bring back to the world watches that contain the spirit of watchmaker Louis Monet, Jean = Marie Schaller founded the independent watch brand Louis Monnet in Saint-Blaise, Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 2004.
All Louis Monnet watches are produced as one-of-a-kind or limited editions and are classified as “Cosmic Art” and “Mechanical Wonders”. Many of his works use meteorites from outer space and rare parts made from ancient materials. With the four values of “Originality,” “Creativity,” “Art & Design,” and “Rarity,” we have received more than 30 awards from numerous prestigious organizations and competitions, including UNESCO, the Good Design Award, and the Red Dot Design Award.
Louis Moinet, manufacturer of limited editions and one-of-kind exclusive Swiss watches. Art & Design combined to creative watchmaking made in Switzerland.
https://www.louismoinet.com/
About GM International Inc.
We are the sole distributor of Japan importers, mainly handling luxury watches made in Switzerland. We handle a wide range of brands such as “Louis Monet”, “Colm”, “Edox”, “Raymond Weil”, and “Salvatore Ferragamo Timepieces”, from Swiss luxury watches to jewelry watches and fashion watches.
In addition to supplying attractive products, we also propose total marketing measures with high added value, such as in-store sales promotion activities and advertising activities. We have a track record of dealing with 250 stores, mainly famous department stores and long-established watch specialty stores, and we have earned the trust of our business partners.
Contact us
GM International Inc.
E-MAIL:marketing@gm-international.jp
Company TEL: 03-5828-9080
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