Nelson Piquet, the legendary three-time Brazilian Formula One driver, was honored by Louis Moinet with the launch of a special edition in 2013 that we recall in the article below.



The Nelson Piquet is an award-winning, two-pusher automatic chronograph that celebrated the three-time Formula One world champion. This timepiece's dial and functionality have been specifically designed with racing drivers and motorsport enthusiasts in mind.


Rhodium-plated central hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova are accompanied by highly-reflective, metallized hour indices and small seconds at 9 o'clock. The central chronograph hand is complemented by a seconds chapter ring, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. Speed or distance can be calculated using the tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel to monitor racing performance.


The dial is completed by the Louis Moinet logo at 12 o'clock and, of course, Nelson Piquet's signature at 5 o'clock. The lower half of the dial features Geneva wave finishing reminiscent of the vertical grill design found on historic racing cars.

The blue and white on the dial conjure up images of the iconic Brabham cars in which Piquet raced between 1978 and 1985 - and in which he won the 1981 and 1983 Formula One drivers' championship.


The Nelson Piquet case design takes its cues from recent developments in motorsport technology, with the six-screw, stainless steel case incorporating a high-tech, carbon-fiber lower bezel.

Carbon fiber is also used to form the inserts for the chronograph pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. To enhance grip, the pushers have been engraved with a chequered motif reminiscent of the iconic Formula One finish-line flag that Piquet took in his 23 F1 grand Prix victories.


The pushers take the form of champagne corks for a 'podium finish' experience - and in the case of Nelson Piquet that means a lot of bubbly: The Brazilian had 60 podium placings during his 13-year career in Formula One!

Meanwhile, the supple natural rubber strap with stainless steel double folding clasp buckle provides ultimate comfort for the avid motorsport fan.


Turning the Nelson Piquet over, the tinted sapphire crystal display-back reveals beautifully finished plates and bridges as well as a distinctive open-worked, black rhodium-plated, ball bearing-mounted rotor, the design of which echoes that of a high-performance car brake disc.

Around the periphery, a winner's wreath is engraved - appropriate because, as the accompanying inscription reminds us, Nelson Piquet is a three-time Formula One world champion.


The Nelson Piquet received a Red Dot design award - one of the world's most prestigious design industry prizes - and is presented in a deluxe case with black carbon fiber-inspired interior, including a reproduction of a painting of Piquet by renowned motorsport artist Willy Richard.

The Legend


Nelson Piquet has etched his name in motorsport history thanks to his consummate skill, physical stamina and mental strength that have contributed to his masterly performances on the racetrack.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1952, Piquet is one of the leading figures of what was arguably the golden era of Formula One, during the 1980s, when breath-taking battles and fierce rivalries on and off the track created a compelling spectacle on a sporting and human level.

Piquet's exceptional talent was such that he claimed three Formula One world titles between 1981 and 1987. In recognition of his immense achievements, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000.



Louis Moinet Nelson Piquet -Technical Specifications

Movement
Louis Moinet automatic mechanical chronograph movement
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Power reserve: 44 hours
Number of jewels: 25 Blued steel screws

Dial and hands
Rhodium plated central hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova
Highly-reflective metallised hour indices
Small seconds in subdial at 9 o'clock
Blued central chronograph seconds hand 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o'clock 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o'clock Tachymeter scale on bezel
Nelson Piquet signature at 5 o'clock
Louis Moinet logo at 12 o'clock
From 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock: Navy blue, smooth From 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock: Navy blue with Geneva wave finishing

Case
Original Louis Moinet six-screw case design Carbon-fibre lower bezel
Tachymeter scale on bezel
316L stainless steel, polished and matte finishing Diameter: 45.60mm
Height: 17.10mm
Champagne cork chronograph pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock inset with carbon fibre and adorned with chequered flag motif
Patent-pending Louis Moinet crown
Water resistance: 50m
Crystals: Two sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Display-back featuring engraving of winner's wreath around periphery

Strap
Width between lugs: 24mm
Strap: Blue natural rubber
Buckle: Double folding clasp in 316L stainless steel

Deluxe presentation case
With black carbon fibre-inspired interior and 95mm x 70mm reproduction of a painting of Piquet by renowned motorsport artist Willy Richard