By now, we should all be accustomed to what a H. Moser watch looks like, between the color fumé dial (unless it’s Vantablack). You may call me simple, but that’s the sort of understated elegance that I can definitely get behind. Then, on the other hand, there’s now a design that just hits you in the face with a (literal) hammer to show off that Moser isn’t just a pretty face, they’ve got the technical chops to make you take notice. Meet the H. Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aqua Blue.
As with all Moser watches, the dial of the H. Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aqua Blue is absolutely superb. You’ve got a lovely shade of blue here that’s done up on a hammered-finish dial that makes this one stand out from it’s smooth-dial brethren in the catalog. Of course, there’s more than the dial going on.
Cut into that dial, the H. Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aqua Blue shows off it’s flying tourbillon proudly at the 6 o’clock position, giving you a whirlwind that rotates once per minute, offsetting the tranquility of the main handset. But hold on, that’s not the only cutout on the dial either.
See those arcs up at the 10 o’clock position? Those are the hammers of the minute repeater. More commonly, those are hidden away and only visible from the caseback (if at all). Moser flips the script (as they are wont to do) and puts things right up front. Not only is it a visual indicator for those in the know of what this watch can do, it’s got to be a treat to see in action, watching those hammers hitting the chimes to mark off the elapsed hours and minutes (you can see that about about the 30 second mark in the video above). It also shows how the chime surface – which looks like a wire wrapping around the dial – is there for the viewing, giving us a functional empty space around the dial.
Frankly, there’s a lot going on from a technical perspective with the H. Moser Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aqua Blue, but it’s all done in a way that just looks, well, very Moser. If you want to pick one up, it’s available in either 18k red gold or titanium. No matter the metal you choose, you’ll be trading $365,000 for the privilege of one of these living on your wrist. Quite rarified company, as well, as only 20 of each are being made. In a world of high-end watches than can look uninspired, this is a piece that certainly sets a new high water mark. h-moser.com
Tech Specs from Moser
- References
- Reference 1904-0400, 18-carat red gold model, Aqua Blue fumé dial, brown alligator leather strap, limited edition of 20 pieces
- Reference 1904-0500, titanium model, Aqua Blue fumé dial, brown alligator leather strap, limited edition of 20 pieces
- Case
- 18-carat red gold or titanium
- Diameter: 40.0 mm/height: 13.5 mm
- Sapphire crystal
- Sliding bolt with runner made from Teflon
- See-through sapphire crystal case back
- Crown adorned with an “M”
- Dial
- Aqua Blue fumé “Grand Feu” enamel with hammered texture
- Hammers and chimes on dial side
- Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands
- Movement
- HMC 904 hand-wound calibre, partially skeletonised
- Diameter: 33.0 mm/height: 9.62 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
- 35 jewels
- Power reserve: 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 alligator leather Red gold or titanium pin buckle, engraved with the Moser logo
