Louis Moinet

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This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Louis Moinet (1768 - 1853) was born in Bourges, France 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 reestablished 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.

[edit] "Traite d'horlogerie" de Louis Moinet

Louis Moinet is the author of the celebrated watchmaking encyclopaedia first published in 1848. This work consists of two volumes and describes the most sophisticated and ingenious horological techniques.

This masterpiece is enriched by many illustrations and technical drawings, hand-made by Louis Moinet himself. Moinet worked for twenty years on writing this treatise, which became the reference work of the period.

"First published in 1848, this is one of the greatest horological works of the century and contains some of the most clear and concise descriptions of clock-making ever written". Chamberlain.

"This book is the most comprehensive, the best written and the most indispensable of all the books that have been written on watchmaking." Panthéon Biographique Universel, Paris, 1853.

Louis Moinet Clock owned by King George IV

[edit] Louis Moinet clocks

Louis Moinet produced important clocks for Kings and many other famous historical figures. These include clocks for King George IV of England, Napoleon, and James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States (where the clock still resides in the White House). Even Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States and a well-known aficionado of fine timepieces, commissioned a Louis Moinet clock which still resides proudly in Monticello.

Louis Moinet's clocks are considered works of art as well as fine timepieces and are currently on display in such important Museums as the Louvre in Paris, the Château de Versailles, and the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.