The second part of the Baselworld 2019 press kit, H. Moser & Cie dedicated to the Essence of the Minute Repeater. In Moser’s typical style, the flying tourbillon breathes and sing in the brand’s purest style. For further reading, please also have a look at the Pioneer’s Chronicle dedicated article. It is worthy of your time. Enjoy the official press release below (images and text H. Moser & Cie) For all the watches presented, including the one form the first part, a review will follow.
H. MOSER & CIE. EXTRACTS THE ESSENCE OF THE MINUTE REPEATER
A twirling minute repeater with a flying tourbillon, highlighting the “ballet dance” performed by the complex mechanism to chime the hours: on the Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon from H. Moser & Cie., the two chimes and the hammers on the minute repeater can be admired on the dial side. A timepiece which appeals to the ears and the eyes. Proposing a return to the essential, the Schaffhausen-based Manufacture showcases the beauty of this complication with a purist approach, giving us the opportunity to admire the choreography of the hammers and chimes on a black lacquered dial stripped of both logo and indices, creating a striking contrast between the dial and the metal elements. An ambitious technical development for the 14th calibre produced by the brand since 2005.
For the Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon, H. Moser & Cie. highlights one of the most traditional watch complications and combines it with a magnificent flying tourbillon in a twirling waltz. The two shaped chimes and the minute repeater hammers shine through against the lacquered black dial, intertwining the one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. To develop this marvel of ingenuity, H. Moser & Cie. drew on the expertise of MHC Manufactures Hautes Complications SA, a specialist in minute repeaters. Together, the two manufactures created a brand-new design, showcasing the beauty of the complication by positioning the chimes and the hammers on the dial side. This involved overcoming many technical challenges. In particular, the chimes (which are placed on one level to preserve the finesse of the piece) had to be curved so as not to interfere with the flying tourbillon and to respect H. Moser & Cie.’s main focus to keep the design understated.
In creating the movement and the case, significant effort has gone into preserving its finesse in terms of the timepiece’s diameter and thickness. The sliding bolt, fitted on a Teflon runner to ensure it slides perfectly smoothly, is built into the main plate to save space. The case middle has been widened to the maximum in order to accommodate the movement while allowing enough space to create a soundbox. This amplifies the chiming of hours, quarter-hours and minutes by two gongs, onto which fall two hammers that are raised based on information provided by different feeler-spindles. Added to the fact that this was already a technical feat with regard to the minute repeater mechanism, it also required a perfect understanding of the subject to achieve a beautiful sound that combines amplitude, a certain length and a pure note.
The one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock is certainly eye-catching. Visible behind a skeleton bridge, it is fitted to a ball bearing that improves the accuracy and chronometry. Resolutely contemporary and in line with modern times, the tourbillon appears to float weightlessly on the black lacquered dial stripped of both logo and indices. The strap, made from black alligator leather, adds the final touch of elegance to this unconventional piece, which reinterprets this most romantic of complications in an understated, minimalist style.
The unmistakeable H. Moser & Cie. style of irreverent Haute Horlogerie.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – ENDEAVOUR CONCEPT TOURBILLON MINUTE REPEATER
Reference 1903-0200, white gold model, black lacquered dial, black alligator leather strap, limited edition of 10 pieces
Case
Solid 18-carat white gold
Diameter: 43.0 mm/height: 14.0 mm
Sapphire crystal
Sliding bolt with runner made from Teflon
See-through sapphire crystal case back
Crown adorned with an “M”
Dial
Black lacquered
Hammers and chimes on the dial side
Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands
Movement
Hand-wound HMC 903 calibre
Diameter: 33.0 mm/height: 9.62 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
34 jewels
Power reserve: minimum 90 hours
Double Moser stripes on the plate and bridges
Movement and components hand-finished and decorated
One-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock with skeletonised bridge
Minute repeater
Functions
Hours and minutes
Minute repeater with hour, quarter-hour and minute chimes
Strap
Hand-stitched black alligator leather with red lining
18-carat solid white gold pin buckle engraved with the Moser logo
For more information, please visit the H. Moser & Cie Website.