Swiss company Louis Moinet has launched a unique watch that celebrates the UAE's landmark Hope Probe.
Paying tribute to the successful mission to Mars, the new timepiece is named after the probe that successfully entered the planet's orbit in February. The one-of-a-kind watch contains an authentic fragment of a Moon meteorite and dust from a meteorite from Mars.
With a 47.4-millimetre titanium case, the dial is covered in blue mother-of-pearl, on to which a precise map of the constellations of the northern hemisphere has been recreated, to frame two dials.
At six o’clock, the first dial shows the time, while at 12 o’clock, the second dial houses what Louis Moinet calls a "satellite tourbillon".
Created by the brand, this new tourbillon has the escapement and balance wheel held in a rotating green cage, just 13.59mm in diameter, which in turn is balanced by a rotating miniature planet Mars.
Hand-painted, the tiny planet is encrusted with dust from a Martian meteorite.
The tourbillon sits within a disc of black aventurine crystal, embedded with fragments of a genuine Moon meteorite, and a hand-painted depiction of the Hope Probe.
On the reverse of this plate, seen via the sapphire crystal glass, is a hand-painted image of a UAE astronaut.
“The UAE mission, dubbed the Hope Probe, entered Mars' orbit following a journey of more than 300 million miles," said Jean-Marie Schaller, chief executive and creative director of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet.
"The UAE and the world rejoiced with pride, and this unique timepiece is our way to honour the Mars mission – a remarkable feat of human ingenuity utilising science and technology."
The Hope Probe activated its instruments on April 10, and has already sent back thousands of images.
The orbiter will spend two years collecting extensive data on gases, including hydrogen, oxygen and carbon monoxide, that surround the planet.
The data will help scientists understand why and how Mars, which may have once supported ancient life, lost most of its atmosphere.
