Louis Moinet – Maya Eclipse – Trends and style – WorldTempus

spirit of creation

“MAYA ECLIPSE” embodies the cosmic and fascinating phenomenon of the eclipse, using technology in the service of poetry. It offers us the spectacular meeting of the moon and the sun 18 times per hour, and whose central point is the magic axis of the pyramid of “KUKULCÁN”.

In Maya society and culture, there was an important connection between astronomy, the vision of the cosmos, religion and politics. The Mayas were brilliant mathematicians, architects and passionate about the observation of the stars and other celestial phenomena. Thanks to their observations, they were able to draw up different calendars, some of which were of great complexity and extreme precision. These allowed them to count time in order to determine both the phases of the moon and the position of the sun at the time of eclipses, solstices and equinoxes.

This unique creation therefore combines strong elements of the Mayan culture, enhanced by the know-how of the Ateliers Louis Moinet in terms of watchmaking. Its concept was developed by a young jewelry artist: Nathanaël Schaller, national winner of the prize for crafts in France, in 2020.

When the stars align

The pyramidal architecture is reflected in the shape of the watch’s mysterious and complex movement, which is built in stages and springs from the centre. This movement has two satellite tourbillons which each turn in an opposite direction, their counterweights representing a moon and a sun inspired by Mayan symbols. They intersect and overlap 18 times per hour, or 432 times per day; their meeting gives birth to a poetic and powerful eclipse, this is the origin of the legendary name: “MAYA ECLIPSE”

At the top of the mechanical axis of the movement is a fragment of jade. Symbolically placed at the very top of the pyramid because this material was more precious than gold among the Mayas. They used it to create many useful artifacts for their rites and ceremonies.

Maya Eclipse © Louis Moinet

Chichen Itza in a new light

The bottom of the dial is in tinted mother-of-pearl, this deep and dreamlike material echoes the fact that the pyramid of “KUKULCÁN” is built on a cenote. These are natural wells, which are found mainly in North and Central America. They are filled with fresh water and sometimes sea water and have an important and sacred character for the Maya. The transparent flange indexes the hours using Mayan numerals, made up of lines and dots. They are graphic and make it easier to read the time.

The pyramid is in 18K 5N pink gold and is adorned with geometric guilloché patterns, which offers our eyes sumptuous plays of shadows and light. This in reference to the phenomenon that occurs at the equinoxes on the real pyramid of “KUKULCÁN”: the sun hits the northwest corner of the pyramid and gives the illusion that the serpent descends the steps of the pyramid.

Maya Eclipse © Louis Moinet

“MAYA ECLIPSE” presents a vision of the pyramid “KUKULCÁN” seen from the sky, with its nine levels and four staircases. This construction symbolizes the cosmic axis that connects the underworld, the world of the living and that of the gods. It is located on the site of Chichén Itzá in Mexico and is dedicated to the “feathered serpent” named Kukulcán. He was the almighty god of resurrection and reincarnation, revered by the Maya.