A minute repeater and a tourbillon in a rectangular case that looks like a smart watch. The Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon by H. Moser & Cie. dares to contrast the two. The Schaffhausen-based Manufacture pairs the contemporary design of the case with a complex flying tourbillon movement, fitted with one of the most challenging complications to produce: a minute repeater. The H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon is available in several references, all of which are different and unique pieces. Presented at Baselworld 2018 last month, the H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon we are reviewing here is cased in 18K white gold and it features a gorgeous and very unique blue dial.
Things to Know About the Watch
H. Moser & Cie. has developed a new aesthetic for this unique piece that is the first of its kind. The dial is reminiscent of a mosaic composed of shades of blue. Alternating surfaces and a play on finishes are an abstract and contemporary nod to the famed H. Moser & Cie. Funky Blue dial. The minute flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock is certainly eye-catching and appears to float weightlessly on the dial with no logo or indices.
With constraints not only regarding the angles of the gongs but also those of the case, H. Moser & Cie. were faced with a complex challenge. The case underwent extensive work, the case middle had to be widened to the maximum in order to obtain enough space to create a large sound box.
This amplifies the ring of hours, quarters and minutes emitted by two gongs, onto which fall two hammers that are raised based on information provided by different feeler-spindles. Not withstanding the fact that this was already a technical feat as regards the minute repeater mechanism, it also required perfect understanding of the subject to achieve a beautiful sound that combines amplitude, a certain length and a pure note.
The Movement
Manufactures that possess the expertise required to create minute repeaters are few and far between. Since 2005, H. Moser & Cie. have been designing, developing and producing their 13th movement, the C 901 manual wound calibre. In their challenging quest to combine a perfect harmony with a strong sound, H. Moser & Cie. called upon the expertise of those in the field, specifically MHC Manufactures Hautes Complications SA. This movement is a true horological feat due to the complexity of the rectangular shaped calibre. Nestled at the heart of the Swiss Alp Watch's rectangular case with its rounded corners, the H. Moser calibre C 901 movement is equipped with two gongs that required extreme dexterity to join them; making it very rare indeed.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon wears extremely well and true to its size, and perhaps just a little too high on the wrist. The Swiss Alp Watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon will be produced in several references, all of which are unique pieces like this one.
Sticker Price CHF 292,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $300,000 USD. For more info on H. Moser & Cie. click here.
