Paying a tribute to its founder, Heinrich Moser, the independent brand H. Moser & Cie. launches a new model in its Heritage line: H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time. Part of an exceptional collection, the new watch brings the Dual-Time complication on a superb rounded model with tapered lugs and a Burgundy fumé dial.
The story of H. Moser & Cie. starts with a young entrepreneur, named Heinrich Moser, that at only 22 years old start a journey that will bring him from his home, the town of Schaffhausen, to St. Petersburg. Making himself a name as the go-to specialist for the aristocrats, Heinrich founds the company that will bring to the contemporary one of the most daring and original independent designs. Heinrich Moser and his son Henri will be the major influencers and sources of inspiration for one of the most important independent brands of our times. The latest piece, the H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time comes with the same spirit of adventure and the wish to strive of its founders.
The Heritage
I always found the H. Moser & Cie. Heritage collection as extremely powerful. Breathing a classic air but featuring exceptional technical novelties, the collection intertwines traditional Haute-Horlogerie with the wonders of modern watchmaking.
Manufactured in a non-precious metal, but still not the easiest to master – stainless steel, the Heritage Dual-Time measures 42mm in diameter. Being well proportioned, at its 11.6mm thickness, the watch bears various cosmetic details that stand out and make it recognisable (making abstraction of the dial, of course). The notched crown is quite large but flat and displays the simple “M” loge as an embossed detail on the polished bombe surface.
The decorations are inspired by Moser pocket watches and the early 20th-century models on show in the Moser museum in Schaffhausen. For the traditional look, a contribution is brought by the tapered lugs. The three parts case construction with rounded bezel and caseback has a special charm that you either love or hate. I love it
Can you keep a secret?
But the case of the H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time simply pales when the dial becomes visible. A sucker for fumé dials myself (it all started with a simple Moser I have encountered a while ago), I happily applaud the burgundy radiant shade. This marvellous shade is a great choice for this little independent beast (or feast – depends on how you see it).
We have a powerful contrast given by the traditional-style railway minute track. It appears in white when you manage to take your eye from the gorgeous large Arabic numerals. The applied indexes have a tendency to shine like crazy in low light due to the Globolight® material used for manufacturing (a cool ceramic material that contains luminescent). But it is not all. A fast look and you might actually miss the secret signature – the H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer, a recent gimmick that makes the independent brand, again, cooler than the rest.
A nicely shaped aperture at 6 o’clock reveals a date complication. The size and appearance are perfectly balanced with the rest of the dial. The sword-shaped hands are coated with Super-LumiNova®. The Dual-Time uses a darkened hand that can easily hide under the hour’s hand. All are presented with exquisite good taste. I don’t know exactly the creation process goes but, oh boy, they do nice things. An interesting detail is the bent minutes’ hand: it accommodates underneath the two hours’ hands and also increases the time reading precision.
Would not be a Moser without an exceptional movement
Besides the distinctive fumé dials, H. Moser & Cie. excels in movements. The new Heritage Dual -Time makes no exception. The watch and its cool complication are powered by the new HMC 809 self-winding calibre. The dual time function was developed entirely by Moser.
On the technical side, the 32mm diameter Calibre HMC809 shines at power reserve – three days. These can be easily and fast toped up by the bidirectional pawl winding system. It is interesting to notice the relatively slow 21,600 vibrations/hour frequency (in comparison with the widely used 28,800vph – 4Hz).
The visual aspects of the new movement bear the now-familiar architecture with double Moser stripes, engraving highlighted by gilding, precise chamfering and a beautiful rotor weight. The back of the H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time respects entirely the line of beauty imposed already by so many pieces and collections.
Distilling H. Moser & Cie.
I might have already mentioned, maybe in other words, that the Heritage collection is a pure Moser breed. If you take only the best finishes, combine them with only the best materials and techniques and add perfume du Moser, you will obtain a Heritage. The new H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time has everything that a hearth can from a Moser desire: a magnificent dial, a useful complication in a cool implementation and an exceptional movement. Plus, plus – it is independent. And let me tell you another secret, a personal one: if I would have to choose a watch to wear for the rest of my life this very rare would fill my heart with joy.
H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time Technical Specifications
Reference 8809-1200, steel model, Burgundy fumé dial, grey kudu leather strap
Functions
- Hours and minutes
- Dual time zone
- Date
- Central seconds
Movement
- HMC 809 self-winding Manufacture calibre
- Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 1/4 lignes
- Height: 6.0 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour
- 27 jewels
- Automatic bi-directional pawl winding system
- Oscillating weight with engraved H. Moser & Cie. logo
- Power reserve: minimum of 3 days
Case
- Steel
- Diameter: 42.0 mm, Height: 11.6 mm
- Sapphire crystal
- See-through sapphire crystal case back
- Crown adorned with an “M”
Dial
- Burgundy fumé with sunburst pattern
- H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer
- Globolight® numerals
- Sword-shaped hour and minute hands highlighted with Super-LumiNova®
- Sword-shaped Dual Time hand highlighted with Super-LumiNova®, hollow in part, with anthracite grey coating
Bracelet
- Hand-stitched grey kudu leather
- Steel pin buckle, engraved with the Moser logo
Price
- CHF 19 900
H. Moser & Cie. Heritage Dual Time Galley
Press release official photos and video
About H. Moser & Cie.
H. Moser & Cie. was created by Heinrich Moser in 1828. Based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, it currently employs more than 60 people, has developed 15 in-house calibres to date and produces more than 1,500 watches per annum. Through its sister company Precision Engineering AG (PEAG), H. Moser & Cie. manufactures parts such as regulating organs and balance-springs, which are used for its own production as well as to supply its partner companies. Independent company incorporated into Moser Watch Holding in 2012, Precision Engineering AG specialises in watch components for escapements, from their initial design to the production of a quality product ready to be integrated into the watch movement it must regulate. H. Moser & Cie. is honoured to have a Moser family member with the company as Honorary Chairman and President of the Heinrich and Henri Moser Foundation. The aim of the Moser Foundation, created by one of Heinrich Moser’s descendants, is to keep the family history alive and seek out antique pieces for the Moser Museum, located in Charlottenfels Manor, Heinrich Moser’s family home. With its substantial watchmaking expertise and highly acclaimed experience in the sector, MELB Holding holds shares in H. Moser & Cie. and Hautlence. MELB Holding is an independent family group, based in the heart of the legendary Vallée de Joux.