7 minute read
Interview with Jean Marie Schollar
Louis Moinet
"The Man Louis Moinet was an artist, a watch maker, a free spirit, watch makers of his time sold themselves as artists, scholars. Watch making at the time was more like computer science today" - Jean Marie Schaller
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Memoris
"We see ourselves as a Creative Company, we aim to create Marvels - I hope Masterpieces - and to share them with good Friends"
I have been previledged the past years to be a good friend and share time, moments and masterpieces with the unique, enigmatic Jean-Marie Schaller. A truly great independent. I am passionate about my watches - could mean I know a thing or two about the products and the industry, could mean I am a possible influencer in my unique country. - What I know is that there are several superb independent brands out there on the edge of popular brilliance and awareness. What they lack in size and marketing power thay more than make up for in creativity. No brand epitomizes this more than Louis Moinet. It was only five years ago that Schaller and other watch experts
created waves in the industry when they discovered that Mr Moinet had indeed created the first ever chronograph watch and not Ncholas Rieussec as previously believed. To commemorate this amazing find, Schaller and his team created the beautiful Louis Moinet Memoris Chronograph, which later included the Memoris 200th Anniversary watch - a true Masterpiece- in honour of the Bi-centenary of Moinet's first chronograph. With all Louis Moinet watches coming in 18k white or rose gold and sometimes steel, production is always so limited, which makes them even more attractive to watch lovers, enthusiasts and collectors. its unlikely that too many friends or business associates will own the same watch as you. Serious watch aficionados cherish this independent. its definitely not "another one". Just last month, I celebrated with my dear friend on winning the Tourbillon of the year award with his new creation 'the Louis Moinet Space Mystery' the worlds first satellite tourbillon watch. I sit down with Jean Marie to talk all things Louis Moinet and the new retail boutique in Nigeria.
Q. LOUIS Moinet has a huge history in the watch world. Tell us some fascinating parts of this?
Louis Moinet was one of the greatest watchmakers ever – his inventiveness, passion and willingness to pass on his wisdom mean his contribution to horology is immeasurable. Known for being an exceptional horologist, as well as having extraordinary clients such as Napoleon, Tsar Alexander I and Thomas Jefferson to name a few, Louis Moinet is the chronograph’s inventor. As we rediscover his heritage, it has an artistic influence on today’s world. We receive many messages from people discovering the pure work of Louis Moinet, based on passion and not mercantilism. Louis Moinet, as President of the Chronometry Society of Paris, had the mission of developing watchmaking, « …one of the most beautiful human sciences ». At that time, Paris was like Silicon Valley. The place where all new technologies happened !Louis Moinet was one of these amazing scientistists, well ahead of its time. I like to compare him to Leonardo Da Vinci. And we recently found out Mona Lisa …
Q. It’s claimed he worked with Abraham Breguet or was even a mentor, how true is this?
As he cemented his reputation as a supreme horologist, Louis Moinet endeared himself to his watchmaking fraternity. He worked closely with the great Abraham-Louis Breguet over a period of many years, acting in the capacity of close friend, confidant and advisor. Louis Moinet met Abraham- Louis Breguet when the latter was already fairly famous. Both men shared the same passion for the art of horology and Breguet recognized Moinet’s worth at once. From 1810 onwards, Moinet became Breguet’s personal advisor, with the two men working closely together until Breguet’s death in 1823.
Q. We hear you are currently writing a book on this subject? When can we expect?
Ah, this is my secret garden ! It is a historical thriller based on Louis Moinet’s life as well as my own life. I have combined actual facts with my own fantasy. Having spent nearly two years writing the script,
a professional editor just told me it was worth publishing. My dream is to raise as much money as possible, to be used entirely to fund water pumps in Africa, in remote villages. We already made a first one with my friend Gregory and his association, 123 Action. Now I want more. A happy watchmaker is even happier if he can help a little bit on this earth …
Q.Having been successful in the industry what made you want to revitalize and rebuild the brand? How difficult has it been?
I strongly believed it was my destiny to relaunch the name of Louis Moinet. Even though it was practically unknown at that time, it came to me once, twice and thrice. To the point that I could not « escape ». I had to do it, it was my mission. Back in 2003, the only historical document we had was a 10-page biography. What I loved was precisely the mix between Haute Horlogerie and Art. Very unique and specific to Louis Moinet. We started very small, with a big heart and practically no money. On one side, magic happened on the historical side, discovering the amazing work of « one of the most important watchmakers that ever lived » (as described in the Pantheon Biographique Universel). Treasures that were forgotten from history ! On the other side, a few good friends helped me to start with our first collections. From the very first day, our concept has been « Mechanical Art in Limited Editions ». There is no quartz by Louis Moinet, and there is no watch which is not numbered and not part of a limited edition. This is how wepreserveuniqueness and value.
Q. Going by your tremendous success with Louis Moinet we can only assume the sky is the limit for you?
In our case, we have one foot in tradition, one foot in today’s world. Heritage means roots. It is a starting point from which we build today’s story. In my opinion, heritage is essential. Fifty years ago, a watch was a technical product needed to tell the time. Fifteen years ago, a watch had become more of a status symbol. And today, a watch is a cultural object.
A watch is not a product, it is the testimony of a unique know-how that has been acquired, developed and enriched generation after generation. Micro-technology is the daughter of heritage … The work of our fathers has enabled to miniaturize more and more. Opening the way to new possibilities. Our upcoming projects all have the same ground : to revisit traditional watchmaking in a creative way. You can expect a few surprises in both technical and design fields !
Q. Your designs and workmanship are admired and desired all over the world, how do you manage being such a unique manufacture?
Louis Moinet is today an independent watch brand located in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland, specializing in the creation of high-end timepieces, often featuring exotic materials and innovative technology, underpinned by the philosophy of limited edition mechanical art. Thanks to our passion, our small watchmaking firm has taken up a noble challenge : elevating this once famous name to the Watchmaking Pantheon. All of Louis Moinet’s timepieces are either exclusive
limited editions or unique pieces. Uniqueness, creative horology, art and design, and exclusivity are at the heart of Louis Moinet creation. We have an international network taking care of customers service. This is of course very important to ensure customer’s satisfaction. Like a car, it is necessary to treat the watch well, and bring it to service when needed. We have this under control, as our movements are of a very high quality.
Q. In Nigeria, we hear of the watch enthusiasts who absolutely love MOINET pieces, do they know something we do not?
They touch people’s heart. A watch is something special, that you keep in your family. When my children were born, I bought a watch – from two different brands – as a milestone. They keep trading and changing everything in their life, only the watch remains … Our watches are brimming with emotion. If you listen closely, you’ll hear Louis Moinet’s heart beating in every one of them.
Q. We hear you will be launching a SIS in Nigeria, is this a direct reaction to the huge demand? Your watches are not cheap but yet the queue for deliver gets longer? How long is this delivery period?
We always go step by step. Today, we are delighted with our partnership with Hole 19. Because it is geared towards quality, not quantity. The Nigerian market is well respected because of its high number of connoisseurs and watch lovers. It is very exciting for me to pursue our growth and also develop some projects exclusively for this beautiful country.
Q. What are your best selling range of watches? Which is currently number one. Tell us some insight into some of these beauties?
We are very fortunate. All our watches sell well, I would say. If you ask me to choose one that I love in particular, I would quote the Memoris Red Eclipse. A bridge between past and present, a wholly new chronograph. I also love the Space Mystery, with its meteorite containing amino-acids. But it is now sold out … You see, as a watchmaker, this is a special emotion. It is a bit like seeing your children leaving home …
Q. Will you be visiting us in Nigeria soon? Will you hold a dinner or seminar telling us more about the world of Louis Moinet?
Yes, it is one of my top priorities of 2018. In the early months, I will have the pleasure of coming and visiting.
Q. Finally, where will you place your boutique in Nigeria?
As a Swiss, I will not teach Nigerian professionals what they should do. I have the privilege to work with MrDeremiAjidahun, the CEO of Hole 19, and his family. It is up to him to see what is best for his customers. And I will do my best to assist him !
Thank you and we look forward to receive you in our very special country, Nigeria …
thank you very much !
