While much of what H. Moser creates is firmly out of reach for us here at WWR, that doesn’t stop us from admiring what they’ve created. If I ever have lottery winnings drop in my lap, I sure won’t be telling anyone. But, you know, there’d would be signs. Like the H. Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Rainbow.
At this point, you should be familiar with the H. Moser Streamliner Tourbillon (which we wrote about here) which takes that art deco Streamliner line (which exists as a center seconds and as a chronograph) and opts for a 60-second tourbillon to be a whirlwind on the dial. For this iteration, you’ve got a choice between their fumé dial (which is always lovely) or the deep, dark Vantablack (which we are partial to). Given the already clean design, relatively sterile dial, and simple two-hander (plus tourby) layout, how do you jazz things up?
Well, friend, you put 60 baguette-cut colored sapphires onto the bezel, wrapping the domed sapphire crystal in a light-catching rainbow. In the past, I’ve would’ve passed on something like this as being just too flashy. But I’ve softened on the rainbow theme (as evidenced by my enjoyment of it in tritium), and I’ve started to ease up on my no-gems stance on watches as well.
Now, I will admit – the H. Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Rainbow is very much over the top. But against the sedateness of the dial, it just really works. And hey, let’s not discount the contrast between all those sharp edges on the gems against the rounded curves of the Streamliner case. And past all of that, well, it just seems sort of fun, and that’s something we don’t have on watches a lot these days. A more traditional diamond setting would maybe be more expected, but that would look like flash just for flash sake. Going with the multi-hued sapphires, that brings some whimsy along for the ride.
And yeah, that whimsy is what I’m all about with the H. Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Rainbow. It’s a study in contrasts, and it all just works together for me. Not that I’d see this as an everyday sort of watch, as that’s not my style. But to rock on the wrist for special occasions, yeah, that would do the trick quite nicely. Then again, at pricing of $119,900 (steel) or $175,000 (red gold), picking one up would be a special occasion in its own right. h-moser.com
Tech Specs from H. Moser
- References
- Reference 6804-0401, 5N red gold model, case middle set with baguette-cut coloured sapphires, Vantablack® dial, integrated 5N red gold bracelet
- Reference 6804-1201, steel model, case middle set with baguette-cut coloured sapphires, fumé dial, integrated steel bracelet
- Case
- 5N red gold or steel topped with a slightly domed sapphire crystal, case middle set with 60 baguette-cut coloured sapphires (2.90 carats)
- Diameter: 40.0 mm
- Height without sapphire crystal: 10.3 mm
- Height with sapphire crystal: 12.1 mm
- Screw-in crown adorned with an engraved “M”
- See-through sapphire crystal case-back
- Water-resistant to 12 ATM
- Dial
- Vantablack® or fumé dial with sunburst pattern
- Indexes secured from the back of the dial using a plate on the 5N red gold model
- Faceted applique indexes on the steel model
- Hour and minute hands with Globolight® inserts
- Movement
- HMC 804 automatic Manufacture calibre
- Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 1/4 lignes
- Height: 5.5 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour
- Automatic bi-directional pawl winding system
- Oscillating weight in 18-carat red gold with engraved H. Moser & Cie. logo
- Power reserve: minimum of 3 days
- Original double hairspring
- One-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock with skeletonised bridges
- Functions: hours and minutes
- Bracelet
- Integrated bracelet in 5N red gold or steel
- Folding clasp with three blades in 5N red gold or steel, engraved with the Moser logo
- Half-links available
