Jean Marie Schaller revived the legacy of the 19th century watchmaker, artist, and astronomer when he founded the fully-independent firm Ateliers Louis Moinet in Saint-Blaise, Neuchâtel, in 2004. Louis Moinet permanently changed the horological landscape – but until recent times it was unknown to what extent. In 2012, Jean-Marie Schaller acquired a pocket watch made by Louis Moinet at a Geneva auction; a timepiece which would turn out to be the world’s first chronograph. As certified by Guinness World RecordsTM it was finalized in 1816 – five years before what was hitherto believed to be the birth of the chronograph. The invention called Compteur de Tierces, was not only a chronograph, it was a high frequency creation beating at 216,000 vph (30 Hz), able to measure 1/60th of a second. Nothing similar would be made for another century.
Another pillar in the current Louis Moinet brand is Cosmic Art. Jean-Marie Schaller – a collector of meteorites and cosmic objects for more than 20 years – took meteorite dials further than anyone. For instance, he used inserts of 12 different meteorites on a unique timepiece called Cosmopolis. As he matter-of-factly stated when I interviewed him in 2024: “In the end a watch must tell a beautiful story.”
Jean-Marie Schaller loved color, and wore the most amazing patterned suits – but thanks to his ever-present calm they were never garish, nor did he ever come across like a show-off. It simply felt like he was true to himself, in a personal, sartorial, and horological way.
Jean-Marie Schaller passed away peacefully at 02.20 am. In spiritual and numerological circles, this is the mirror hour, widely seen as a divine message; a sign to practice patience, maintain harmony, and trust that the universe is helping you manifest your goals. That is who he was to me – an inspiration to keep going your own way.
Jean-Marie is missed by the horological community and above all the Schaller family: Micaela, Raphaëlle, Dominique, Christopher, and Nathanaël. In honor of Jean-Marie the family asks in lieu of flowers, to please consider making a charitable donation to the organization of your choice.
The family also asks to honor his love of color and joy in your choice of attire if you join the family for the ceremony on Thursday, May 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the Temple d’Auvernier, 2 Chemin des Rochettes, 2012 Auvernier.
