I could not have started in another way than with the video. I enjoy a saumon fumé from time to time, but this is something else, something special… The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon has the most spectacular smoked dial I’ve seen and one of the best for the brand ever. Let’s get more in detail…
H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon is a magnificent example of Moser spirit – an haute horlogerie piece in the unmistakable Moser style that pushes further and better a simple idea. I am a big fan of this daring independent, its superb dials, spectacular movements and, of course, the Streamliner line. The mix of traditions and modernity in this watch is like applying ancient fishing and fish cooking technics with slow, well-controlled smoke while flying supersonic in the stratosphere. It has that perfect blend of herbs and spices from ancient cuisine while adding fusion elements, most probably discovered at CERN.
Steel and Moser’s specific attention to details
The Streamliner comes in a cushion-shaped 40mm stainless steel case. The case’s lines are inspired the first high-speed trains from the Twenties and Thirties, nicknamed “Streamliners”. Those pieces of machinery, as the Moser’s wristwatch, are characterized by complexity hidden between beautiful lines, details hidden in apparent simplicity.
A combination of brushing techniques is used to create a sober, restrained appearance. The top of the face is decorated with a sunburst brush. The case body is delimited with a generous mirror-polished line that follows sinuously the case’s profile. The caseband suffered from mass substruction that accentuates, even more, the Streamliner concept. And helps a bit with the total weight.
The watch is topped by a subtly domed sapphire crystal, echoed by the see-through case back. On the right side of the Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon we can find the “M” logo crown. Due to case construction, the crown’s grip is excellent. Setting and winding are pleasant activities.
As daring as always, H. Moser & Cie. adventured a few years back into the integrated bracelet territories. As with any attempt made by the independent brand, the result is spectacular. The links follow the Streamliner concept of the case with a complex shape. The finishes involve the same brushing as the main decoration, with generous polished lines that delimit the links. The bracelet feels and looks extraordinary on the wrist. Malleable and comfortable, the bracelet of the Streamliner completes the look.
How do you do that, Moser?
While the pictures do no justice to this dial, the video catches a glimpse of this marvellous Moser dial. The official name is smoked salmon, but this dial plays with light creating shades from dark chocolate brown to bright yellow gold. The centre opens and closes like an iris in various light conditions creating a mesmerising and shimmering show. I filmed in three different light conditions, and each situation brought new shades. It is fantastic good looking.
Talking about this dial, Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie. and seasoned fly fisher, says: “There is salmon and there is salmon. Our inspiration does not come from the traditional Atlantic salmon, or “Salmo salar” to give it its Latin name, but from its very rare cousin, the “Oncorhynchus kisutch”. Allowed to mature in total freedom and massaged each day by specialists using an oil infused with aromatic herbs picked from the slopes of the Himalayas, this species only eats crustaceans that have been pre-digested by pink flamingos. Each individual fish is smoked using a secret recipe made using Scottish whisky. This is what gives the flesh this exceptional colour, and is the inspiration behind our new dial.” My parable about traditional cooking in the stratosphere was not that far-fetched…
The time is displayed using H. Moser & Cie. hands with Globolight®insert, bringing more depth to an already spectacular dial. Applied baton indexes as hour indexes and a printed rail track assure precise and effortless reading. The entire construction is rather elegant, although the Streamliner is, by definition, a sports watch. The legibility is excellent, and the ceramic-based material containing Super-LumiNova® will ensure a low light good reading. The secret signature will pop out from time to time when the light and angles are right…
Independent pure – Calibre HMC 200
At the heart of the Streamliner Centre Seconds stays the 100% Swiss mechanical movement: the HMC 200 self-winding calibre. The movement is a slim 5.5mm thickness with a diameter of 32mm and fits well in the watch’s 10.3 mm (without sapphire crystal) thickness. The watch features a power reserve of three days regulated by a 3Hz Precision Engineering AG system with Original Straumann Hairspring®.
On the decoration topic, the HMC200 sits on the brand’s specific lavish side. The charming double Moser stripes, gilded H. Moser & Cie. logo, the precise chamfering with a nice polished surface, perlage and other small details respect the independent brand rigours of movement’s decoration.
The solid 18K gold oscillating weight engraved with the H. Moser hallmark offers a fast wind due to the bi-directional pawl winding system. Note in the picture above the mirror polish of the jewels’ sinks.
Conclusions
The superbly chosen and executed finishes nicely counterbalance the choice of materials and colours. The smoked salmon dial is more mesmerising than ever. Turning the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon reveals the beauty of the automatic HMC 200 – a now usual calibre that powers the brand’s central seconds watches. The details are a mark of H. Moser & Cie. expertise and are always flowless.
So I am impressed again, adding one more watch to my list of Moser favourite pieces… Well done, Moser!
H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon Technical Specifications
Reference 6200-1207 – 22,900€ / steel model, Smoked Salmon griffé dial, integrated steel bracelet
Functions
- Hours and minutes
- Central seconds
Movement
- HMC 200 automatic calibre
- Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 1/4 lignes
- Height: 5.5 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
- 27 jewels
- Automatic bi-directional pawl winding system
- Solid 18K gold oscillating weight engraved with the H. Moser hallmark
- Power reserve: minimum of 3 days
- Original Straumann® hairspring
- Finish with Moser stripes
Case
- Steel topped by a slightly domed sapphire crystal
- Diameter: 40.0 mm
- Height without sapphire crystal: 10.3 mm; Height with sapphire crystal: 12.1 mm
- See-through case-back
- Screw-in crown adorned with an “M”
- Water-resistant to 12 ATM
Dial
- Smoked Salmon griffé
- H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer
- Applique indexes
- Hour and minute hands with Globolight® inserts
Strap/bracelet
- Integrated steel bracelet
- Folding clasp with three steel blades, engraved with the Moser logo
H. MOSER & CIE.
H. Moser & Cie. was created by Heinrich Moser in 1828. Based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, it currently employs more than 80 people, has developed 16 in-house calibres to date and produces around 2,000 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.