Louis Moinet (1768–1853) was a renowned Parisian clockmaker and inventor, celebrated as the creator of the chronograph. Born in Bourges, France, into a prosperous farming family, Moinet displayed early talent in art and mechanics. He studied classical subjects, excelling in sculpture and painting, while nurturing a deep passion for horology.
After honing his skills in watchmaking under a master craftsman, Moinet spent five years in Italy, studying architecture, sculpture, and painting in Rome and Florence. He returned to Paris as a professor at the Académie des Beaux-Arts and became active in various artistic and scholarly circles.
Moinet’s dedication to horology eventually took precedence over his artistic pursuits. In 1816, he invented the first chronograph, a revolutionary timekeeping device. His creations included an automaton clock for Napoleon, where music triggered a scene of coronation, as well as bespoke timepieces for notable figures like King George IV, Tsar Alexander I, and American presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.
Collaborating closely with famed bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Moinet crafted clocks that were both technical marvels and exquisite works of art. Today, his masterpieces are exhibited in esteemed institutions such as the Louvre, Versailles, and Florence’s Palazzo Pitti, cementing his legacy as a visionary of horology.
Discover the Empire mantel clocks by Louis Moinet and other artists in our gallery.
