An exceptional watch from one of the most historically significant names in the annals of watchmaking, the Tempograph Chrome Rose Gold by the Louis Moinet manufacture is a piece which combines classical craftsmanship with contemporary styling, and topped off with a delightful horological novelty, which serves no practical function, other than to please the eye and provide an amusement which belies its degree of technical complexity.

Encased in a round case of 18ct rose gold, the Tempograph Chrome is exquisitely executed throughout, and at 44m across and almost 15mm tall it is a piece which has a lot of character and an imposing presence on the wrist. Featuring a mostly polished finish, the pristine gleaming surface is contrasted with the satin brushed finish on the bezel, while the squat, fluted crown is set into a little plate which is fixed to the case with four screws.

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the dial is a multi-part affair with sections of skeletonised gold filets screwed onto the dial plate which has been finished in a coat of matte black PVD, creating a classic yet striking contrast. The gold sections are sculpted to reveal the balance close to the 12 o’clock position, and the gear wheels through the partially openworked dial plate, as well as the lever and centre wheel for the retrograde seconds hand, which is constantly moving.

The time is displayed via luminous tipped teardrop hands over a glossy lacquered dome of royal blue, which features a fine Clous de Paris guilloché pattern, complementing the engraved rehaut between the case and the dial.

The Tempograph Chrome Rose Gold features not one, but two separate second indications, which break the minute down into three twenty-second segments. At the nine o’clock position the constant seconds wheel is segmented into red, black and grey, but the most eye catching feature of this magnificent piece is the delightful novelty of the luminous tipped central red steel hand of the retrograde seconds, which sweeps across the marked blue arc at the two, before flicking back every twenty seconds and starting over again, three times every minute.

Turned over, and a sapphire caseback reveals the superb guilloché Clous de Paris decoration of the 18Kt gold oscillating weight and circular bands of Côtes de Genève striping on the plates of the self winding movement within. Fully manufactured in house by Louis Moinet, the Calibre LM50 beats at 28’800vph, and will run for 48 hours before requiring rewinding.

Produced in a one-off edition of only twelve pieces, the Louis Moinet Tempograph Chrome Rose Gold is presented on a dark blue alligator leather strap with folding 18ct clasp. A sophisticated wrist watch with from the company whose founder and namesake holds the distinction of being credited as the creator of the first ever chronograph in 1816, it is one which distils two centuries of watchmaking into one exquisite contemporary piece.