Mu:n Orion Project

Humanity is about to return to the Moon! In 1972, the Apollo program made history with Eugene Cernan becoming the 11th and last man to walk on the lunar surface. It took 50 years and the Artemis mission to reignite the dream of space exploration. And what better way to commemorate such an event than with a watch?

Mu:n has done it. This young and promising brand is about to launch its second series, Orion, featuring a bold design and remarkable specs. Trajectory set; target confirmed—get ready for an amazing journey as we take you to the Moon!

Artemis Collection: Orion Series

The ORION series features four moon phase models celebrating NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a lunar base by 2030. The series is inspired by the Orion spacecraft, aboard which four astronauts will complete their first lunar orbit in a few months.

The blue and green versions will be offered in a limited, numbered edition of 200 pieces per model. The launch is scheduled for September 30, 2024, on Kickstarter, with a price of €960.00 (excluding VAT).

Three-part dial

Built on two levels, the upper part of the dial has a matte finish in contrast with the lower part which is grained and satin-brushed, as a reminder of the lunar ground. The grain is diamond-cut to add relief to the lunar graduation. Semi-flying luminescent indexes fly over the lower part towards the central moon.

A Luminescent Moon

The Moon disc is the result of a collaboration with AJS Production, a workshop specializing in the miniaturization of watch parts. A new printing method was developed, using a laser to burn a paint-coated layer of Superluminova. The star illuminates with varying intensities in the dark, depending on the degree of burning applied. This technique is an industry first, and enables faithfully reproducing the position of craters in relief on a porous, luminescent texture.

A Vibrant Collection

From left to right, we have Orion Blue, dressed in the NASA colors (blue and red), paying tribute to the program’s masterminds. Then comes the Green edition, celebrating the European Space Agency (ESA), crucial in building Orion’s service module. Next are the Grey and White editions, inspired by the dark lunar surface and the white-blue hues of the Orion spacecraft.

Mu:n Artémis Orion - NASA - Blue

Mu:n Artémis Orion - ESA - Green

One Goal: The Moon!

Back in 2022, Mu:n first amazed us with a realistic moon disc and an exquisitely crafted Milky Way on its first limited series, which sold over 300 units in 29.5 days. But with this new moonphase, the brand has taken it to the next level.

Mu:n Artémis - Orion Grey

Mu:n Artémis - Orion White

This unique piece is the result of extensive research and development in collaboration with AJS Production, experts in horological miniaturization. The workshop, awarded the prestigious EPHJ Grand Prize in Geneva in 2016, has created a fully luminescent moon, revealing every crater with a relief perceptible to the naked eye on a porous-like texture.

To achieve this, AJS developed a patented manufacturing method: structural projection. Without getting too technical, a luminescent sticker is applied to a raw metal disc, followed by several layers of decal white and blue paint. A femto laser, with micron-level precision (0.001 mm), burns through these paint layers with varying intensity. The deeper the laser cuts, the more the underlying luminova glows, creating unprecedented luminescent zones.

The uniqueness of this timepiece extends beyond the moon. The starry sky is an accurate mapping of the celestial vault around the Orion constellation. Like the Moon, the primary stars of Orion and neighboring constellations (Lepus, Canis Major, Taurus, etc.) illuminate at night.

A Three-Part Dial on Two Levels: An Ode to Orion’s Trajectory

In addition to the lunar disc, the brand has reinvented the dial's construction, made of three parts assembled on two levels. The lower section features a satin grain reminiscent of the lunar surface, with lunar graduations created using ‘diamond cut’. Semi-floating Super-Luminova markers rise from the lower section, pointing towards the central moon. The overall harmony and the interplay of textures result in a complete yet minimalist design.

Mu:n Artémis Orion - ESA - Green

Mu:n Artémis Orion Grey

The case also alternates between brushed and polished finishes, enhancing the light effects. The series is built with a 38mm diameter, a 46mm lug-to-lug length, and a thickness of only 10.6mm—an impressive feat for a moonphase complication.

Save the Date for this imminent launch

While the final retail price is expected to be around €1,550, Mu:n plans to offer early pre-orders at attractive prices on Kickstarter, below €1,000 excluding VAT for the first backers. A commendable effort, especially considering the unit cost of each model. Indeed, the brand openly shares the origin of each component, its suppliers, and even its production costs. Thus, we know that each model costs around CHF 500-600 to produce, with over 70% of the costs coming from Switzerland. For reference, Swiss-made moonphase watches typically start at CHF 3,000 on the market.

With this blend of technical excellence, aesthetic beauty, and transparency, the Orion series will undoubtedly make waves in the horological world this fall. Perhaps this explains the excitement surrounding the launch, with over 2,500 backers already signed up on the launch page. We wish them the best of luck!

And we invite you to discover the entire collection directly on their website : https://www.mun-watches.com/en/product/orion/blue