The Vernoscope

6 minutes read
Jules Verne "Instruments", world first presentation.


Press release




The world-first presentation of the extraordinary JULES VERNE watches by LOUIS MOINET took place on Feburary 11th 2010, in the magnificent Espace Jules Verne of the Maison d'Ailleurs, in Yverdon. The VERNOSCOPE, a highly original new concept, was unveiled; and an historical piece – the first prototype to contain an authentic piece of the moon – was officially handed over to the Museum.

 

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The « Vernoscope »


The Vernoscope is an object measuring 50 cm across and 50 cm high. Its mahogany base highlights the many brass and copper pipes and counters that lend it a distinctly “Vernian” look. In all, it features no less than four apertures, doors and portholes revealing the surprises and mysteries of JULES VERNE and LOUIS MOINET. These include the MOON, a work by artist Jean-Yves Kervévan, hand-modelled and adorned with moon meteorite particles. The Vernoscope also serves as a presentation box for four original “Number 1 watches” :



1.   Jules Verne Instrument 1, havana dial & hand-engraved “crater” rotor . Self-winding chronograph with dual time-zone display
 

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2.   Jules Verne Instrument 2, midnight blue dial & hand-engraved “crater” rotor. Self-winding Split-second chronograph

 

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3.  
Jules Verne Instrument 1, black dial & hand-engraved “crater” rotor. Self-winding chronograph with dual time-zone display

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4.  Jules Verne Instrument 2, silvered dial & hand-engraved “crater” rotor. Self-winding Split-second chronograph

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The price of the Vernoscope and the four original “Number 1 watches” is CHF 160,000.00.



The inspiration

In developing his Jules Verne watches, Jean-Marie Schaller cooperated with Jean-Michel Verne, a direct descendant of Jules Verne. A partnership has also developed with the Maison d'Ailleurs, which has a vibrant source of “Vernian” inspiration in its dedicated Espace Jules Verne. 

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Jules Verne & Louis Moinet

“Did the inspired master watchmaker and the science fiction writer ever meet? That is the enigma we decided to solve in our own way, along with Jean-Marie Schaller. Jules Verne passed away in 1905, Louis Moinet in 1853. They shared a passion for innovation. And even if they did not meet, they had every reason to do so. With one mastering time and the other taming science, all for the good of mankind, in this case watchmaking and writing have something in common: accuracy.

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The sophistication of the movements used in Louis Moinet's systems, and the wealth of detail and extreme credibility mingled with poetry found in my illustrious ancestor's narratives, which were based on the scientific discoveries of his day, bring the two realms astonishingly close together. It is obvious that Jules Verne's work plays constantly with time and space. Several of his works of science fiction were to leave their mark on the history of literature: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, From the Earth to the Moon, Robur the Conqueror… These were nothing more than the accurate calculations and predictive vision of science projected into the future.

One obstacle remained: time. Around the World in Eighty Days captured that challenge, won by the man searching for a form of eternity. And I'll give you a scoop: Phileas Fogg travelled with a Louis Moinet.”
Jean-Michel Verne, Journalist and writer



Jules Verne « Instruments »



The mobile lever chronograph


With its Jules Verne line, Louis Moinet is introducing a new way to use the chronograph, thanks to the invention of an advanced mechanism. This new device to activate the chronograph function (patent pending) consists of a mobile lever set in two positions : armed and disarmed.  This device offers the advantage of fully securing the handling of the chronograph.

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A high-tech watch case & an invention

The watch case has been conceived in the spirit of the fabulous inventions of Jules Verne. Its conception is revolutionary with its two grade 5 titanium shields covering a stainless steel framework, in order to give the right weight and proportion and to perfectly hide the secrets of the watch : its mobile lever technology and its authentic piece of the moon ! The lower part of the bezel and its eight screws are crafted in 18K rose gold 5N.

The mobile lever system consists of twelve different elements, combining advanced materials like Delrin, known for its low coefficient of friction and steel hardened by special treatments to provide the necessary resistance. The locking mechanism is secured thanks to an extremely wear-resistant ceramic ball bearing click. The travel of the lever itself is controlled by a hardened steel pin and a notched blade to limit the path of the lever.


Spectacular movements & dials


Jules Verne automatic chronographs feature “2nd Time Zone” or  “Split-second” functions, which can be activated thank to a pusher located at 10 o'clock. These 8 hand complications are highlighted by a complex dial featuring 5 applied parts, 12 minute dots and adorned with the “Côtes du Jura” ® design.


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Jules Verne Instrument II Split-second chronograph  © Courtesy of Arola SA, Les Bioux

 




From the Moon to the Earth

Louis Moinet is the first brand to present Limited Edition watches using a real piece of the moon. In each Jules Verne watch, there is a genuine moon rock which is presented in its water-proof porthole at 9 o'clock.

What is a Lunar Meteorite ?
Lunar meteorites are rocks found on Earth that were ejected from the Moon by the impact of an asteroid or possibly a comet. After orbiting the moon, they were eventually captured by Earth's gravitational field, and fell to Earth as solid objects. Lunar meteorites are exceedingly rare and therefore very expensive.

 

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JULES VERNE INSTRUMENT 1

Movement: Self-winding mechanical
Case: Titanium grade 5 & 316L stainless steel & 18K rose gold 5N
Porthole at 9 o'clock
Genuine Moon stone(meteorite)
Decoration: Blued steel screws, oscillating weight with “Côtes du Jura” ®design
Functions: Hour, minute and seconds
60-second chronograph         (centre)
30-minute chronograph counter     (at 12 o'clock)
12-hour chronograph counter         (at 6 o'clock)
Date by hand                 (at 3 o'clock)
Special function: 2nd time zone by hand (at 9 o'clock)

Jewels: 25
Winding: Automatic
Oscillations: 28,800 vph
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case diameter: 46,30 mm width x 54 mm length
Case thickness: 14.50 mm
Crown guard: Patent pending
Water-resistance: 50 meters

Caseback: Secured with 4 screws, engraved with individual number  and Louis Moinet symbols
Crystals: Two anti-glare sapphire crystals
Dial: Decorated with “Côtes du Jura” ®design
Hands: Rhodium-plated or blued steel

Strap: Crocodile leather, hand-sewn, “carbon” finish
Buckle: 316L stainless steel folding clasp, Louis Moinet design

Limited Edition    : Silver dial: 60 watches
Black dial: 60 watches
Havana dial: 12 watches



JULES VERNE INSTRUMENT 2

Movement: Self-winding mechanical
Case: Titanium grade 5 & 316L stainless steel & 18K rose gold 5N
Porthole at 9 o'clock
Genuine Moon stone (meteorite)
Decoration: Blued steel screws, oscillating weight with “Côtes du Jura” ®design
Functions: Chronograph
Hour, minute and seconds
60-second chronograph         (centre)
30-minute chronograph counter     (at 12 o'clock)
12-hour chronograph counter         (at 6 o'clock)
Date by hand                 (at 3 o'clock)
Special function: Split-second chronograph

Jewels: 30
Winding: Automatic
Oscillations: 28,800 vph
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case diameter: 46,30 mm width x 54 mm length
Case thickness: 14.50 mm
Crown guard: Patent pending
Water-resistance: 50 meters

Caseback: Secured with 4 screws, engraved with individual number and Louis Moinet symbols
Crystals: Two anti-glare sapphire crystals
Dial: Decorated with “Côtes du Jura” ®design
Hands: Rhodium-plated or blued steel

Strap: Crocodile leather, hand-sewn, “carbon” finish
Buckle: 316L stainless steel folding clasp, Louis Moinet design

Limited Edition: Silver dial: 60 watches
Black dial: 60 watches
Midnight blue dial: 12 watches 

La Maison d'ailleurs

The Maison d'Ailleurs (translated as "House of Elsewhere"), is a museum of science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland). It is a non-profit foundation functioning both as a public museum and a specialized research center. The Maison d'Ailleurs is the only public institution of its kind in the world.

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Over more than fifty years, geologist, librarian and computer scientist Jean-Michel Margot (born in 1937) assembled any material, literary or otherwise, with the slightest connection to the life and work of Jules Verne. The collection he constituted is amazingly rich and varied, boasting more than 20,000 items: numerous rare or unique editions, posters, recordings, the most diverse objects… as well as an unequalled set of documentation and critical material including theses, essays, biographies and nearly 8,000 articles and press cuttings from around the world.

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In 2003, M. Margot decided to donate his collection to the town of Yverdon-les-Bains, giving responsibility to the Maison d'Ailleurs – Museum of Science Fiction, Utopia and Extraordinary Journeys – for its conservation under suitable conditions, its display to the widest possible public, as well as for making its archives available to researchers. The Espace Jules Verne has been designed to meet this triple requirement.

More information : www.ailleurs.ch 

 

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