A while back, the independent rebel child of Haute Horlogerie, H. Moser & Cie, took the watch world (and not only) by storm releasing the first watch featuring a Vantablack dial. The vertically aligned nanotube arrays absorb 99.9% of light creating the blackest black possible. The Vantablack® tech is expensive and hard to use due to its complicated growing process and fragility. But these kind of details are not a problem for one of the most interesting independents watchmakers. We have a short look today at the H. Moser & Cie Venturer Concept Vantablack, as a reminder that Vantablack exists, and at Moser, it is a watch.
The Venturer Concept Vantablack
When it comes to breaking the rules of traditionalism and conservatism, H. Moser & Cie is a strong player. I mean, there are brands using high-tech materials, exceptional concepts and so on, but I think the Schaffhausen brand is the only one doing all that and still have its pieces considered classic, traditional etc (Moser style, but still). A good example is today’s presented piece: you have one of the craziest technology, the Vantablack, used as a dial treatment on a classic looking dress watch. Venturer is the elegant line of Moser, a classic watch, almost invisible for a HH profane.
Because its particularity, the watch is hard to photograph, especially for such a novice as myself. The Vantablack is so crazy that completely scrambled the white balance of my camera. So enjoy the pictures only as an impulse to visit a Retailer or the Moser Shop (the white gold version is available) and to see the wonder with your own eyes.
The Venturer case
The Venturer case is a delicate and full of details elegant dress piece. While the size could be a topic for discussion for a WIS (Watch Idiot Savant), in these modern times, the 39mm red gold case is on the small side.
The case features suave curves with a combination of brushed and mirror-polished surfaces. The dramatically inward bent lugs with rounded edges remind me of Zagato lines. Yes, that Italian coachbuilder specialist that created such beautiful lines in the modern automotive industry.
The large rounded bezel holds a domed crystal. Due to dial properties, the crystal tends to behave as a mirror for the surroundings.
The case is accompanied by a Moser crown with an exceptional grip. The crown is nicely proportioned to the case and it is a beauty herself. The handling is proverbial.
The Venturer Concept Vantablack is fitted with a black alligator leather strap and a “simple” pin buckle. Don’t be fooled: brushing, polished beveling and the engraved gorgeous Moser logo makes from the buckle a withness of the brand’s HH capabilities.
Black as black as the black can be black
And I still feel there are not enough blacks in the heading to express the darkness of the H. Moser & Cie Venturer Concept Vantablack dial. Simply explained: you take a piece of metal and you grow carbon nanotubes on. And you get the Vantablack… But life is not that easy and the technology is expensive and complicated. Even the idea itself to use it for a dial is crazy.
To that, Moser added its specific leaf hands, in gold. The result is a gorgeous black gold contrast. The legibility?!? You see the hands… and the reflections of the surrounding environment on the crystal. Simple, beautiful, Moser… In low light is quite spectacular, since you don’t have any dial reflections and the hands can catch any glimpse of light.
Sweet Mother of Houte Horlogerie
The Venturer Concept Vantablack is powered by the HMC 327 Manufacture calibre. This hand-wound movement is Moser magnificent. Voluptuous details and depths, a power reserve indication, Moser stripes, a large balance wheel oscillating at the slow 2.5 Hz but offering 3 days of power reserve.
For those familiar with the brand, will know that Moser not only hand-finishes and decorate their components and movements, they also use proprietary balance-spring with Original Straumann Hairspring®. So besides the beauty, the Venturer has the brains (in the form of accuracy and stability).
Final words
I have seen and molested the H. Moser & Cie Venturer Concept Vantablack at Baselworld 2019 but only a small discussion with a friend about the strict combination black and gold watches reminded me about this timepiece. I find the combination, especially in this watch ravishing.
Meanwhile, the H. Moser & Cie released other captivating versions in white gold and even with blackened leaf-shaped hands. I consider these watches to be for a discerned gentleman, for someone that understands horology almost as a religion. Because you need to know more than just the name of the brand to rightly perceive the value.
H. Moser & Cie Venturer Concept Vantablack Technical Specifications
Reference 2327-0410, 5N red gold model, Vantablack® dial, black alligator leather strap
Case
18-carat 5N red gold
Diameter: 39.0 mm, Height: 11.9 mm
Curved sapphire crystal
See-through sapphire crystal case back
Crown adorned with an “M”
Dial
Vantablack®
Leaf-shaped hands
Movement
Hand-wound HMC 327 Manufacture calibre
Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 ¼ lignes/height: 4.5 mm
Frequency: 18,000 Vib/h
29 jewels
Power reserve: minimum of 3 days
Hacking seconds
Moser teeth for all wheels and pinions
Movement and components hand-finished and decorated
Moser balance-spring and Original Straumann Hairspring®
Functions
Hours and minutes
Power reserve indicator on the movement side
Strap
Hand-stitched black alligator leather
18-carat 5N red gold pin buckle engraved with the Moser logo
H. Moser & Cie Venturer Concept Vantablack Gallery
