PreBasel 2014 : H. Moser & Cie.’s Venturer Small Seconds
Mar 23, 2014,19:39 PM
Heinrich Moser’s entrepreneurial spirit is celebrated with the new Venturer Collection of watches. The Venturer Small Seconds with its HMC 327 movement, the first timepiece in the collection, reaffirms H. Moser & Cie.’s renown for crafting high precision timepieces, imbued with grace and exceptional craftsmanship. Taking cues from the company’s historic pocket watches, the Venturer Collection also incorporates pure design elements from the 20th century.
The inspiration for this latest collection from H. Moser & Cie. is the second phase of Heinrich Moser’s professional ventures in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. Established in 1828, H. Moser & Cie. soon attracted the patronage of the Imperial Court. Indeed, Moser quickly built his reputation and saw the watchmaking business that bore his name flourish and become a resounding commercial success.
DESIGN ELEMENTS OF THE NEW VENTURER COLLECTION The Venturer Collection is infused with design elements from traditional pocket watches but also with a clever mix of cues from the Bauhaus era of the 1920s and convex forms of the 1960s. This includes a larger bezel opening, revealing the extremely restrained and elegant H. Moser signature fumé dial. In keeping with the clean lines of the crystal, bezel and case, the dial surface has a convex profile and the hands follow this contour, according a delightful depth to their form and an attention to detail that grows on closer inspection. The baton design and the curved edge of the swallow-shaped hands are long and slim, expressing a dynamic character. Refined lines are a key attribute to the design language of the new Venturer Collection.
Carefully selected features are shared with the Endeavour Collection, such as the crown with the Moser “M” adorning its vertical flank. The curving lines of the satin brushed area embellish the case band, swooping downwards to convene beneath the crown. The resultant mien is exquisite and imparts a joyous moment of discovery on first acquaintance. All elements of this crafted timepiece harmoniously blend, identifying the Venturer as unmistakably H. Moser.
THE VENTURER SMALL SECONDS, A GREATER CHOICE The Venturer Small Seconds is the very first model of the Venturer Collection, featuring a small seconds display deliberately positioned as close to the bottom of the dial as possible. This model is available in three different references, each exhibiting its own unique character. The choice of three 18-carat red gold models, includes an ardoise or a sensual argenté dial, as well as the unusual, and highly attractive, new signature dial in red gold fumé.
In creating the Venturer Collection, H. Moser & Cie. has initiated a range of refined timepieces with a design that engages with an arresting presence. With plans to expand the Venturer Collection with additional models as well as complications, the ambition of H. Moser & Cie. reaffirms its entrepreneurial heritage and its reputation for ingenious products.
HMC 327 SMALL SECONDS – A NEW MOVEMENT OPENLY REVEALED The Venturer Collection includes a new in-house manufacture movement for 2014, the Calibre HMC 327. This calibre is characterized by its traditional watchmaking finishing, minimum power reserve of three days and a hacking seconds function. Measuring 32 mm in diameter, the Calibre HMC 327 is optimally sized to suit the 39.2 mm case of the new Venturer Small Seconds. The HMC 327 has also been designed to sit closely to the exhibition case-back, allowing the wearer to enjoy an intimate view of the fine finishing practised at H. Moser & Cie.
The HMC 327 is the result of a close examination of historic movements, an evolution that delivers optimised performance and efficiency. By introducing this calibre in the new Venturer Collection, the company has a range of prestigious watches that uphold its matchless watchmaking standards and display considerable efficiencies in production and assembly.
Such efficiencies provide benefits through state-of-the art technology in the form of a silicon anchor with ruby pallets and a silicon escape wheel. Silicon is anti-magnetic and confers low-friction; benefits which cannot be ignored.
HMC 327
Conversely, traditions are also respected. The in-house Straumann Hairspring® features a hand-applied Breguet overcoil, enhancing isochronism. The balance wheel includes gold screws facilitating precise poising of the balance. Adorning the movement is the H. Moser company hallmark, expertly engraved in gold, although in keeping with the refined design, the engraving is reduced to a minimum against the backdrop of Moser stripes that adorn the bridges of the HMC 327.
This new collection stands testament to the pride of the skilled team who work patiently, crafting fine watches that are exceptional and very rare.
TECHNICAL FEATURES – VENTURER SMALL SECONDS
Reference 2327-0401, red gold model, red gold fumé dial, brown strap
Reference 2327-0402, red gold model, ardoise dial, brown strap
Reference 2327-0400, red gold model, argenté dial, brown strap
Case 18-carat red gold, three-part Diameter: 39.0 mm, height: 12.5 mm Curved sapphire crystal See-through sapphire crystal case-back Screw-in crown adorned with an “M”
Dials Red gold fumé, ardoise or argenté with sunburst pattern Appliqué indexes 18-carat red gold hands Movement In-house hand-wound Calibre HMC 327 Diameter: 32.0 mm or 14 ¼ lignes Height: 4.4 mm Frequency: 18’000 vib/h 28 jewels Power reserve: minimum 3 days Hacking seconds Moser teeth for all wheels and pinions Original Straumann® hairspring with stabilised Breguet overcoil
Functions Hour and minute Small seconds hand and sub-dial Power reserve indicator on movement side
Strap Hand-stitched brown alligator strap Solid 18-carat red gold pin buckle, with engraved Moser logo
Press Release
This message has been edited by Kong on 2014-03-23 19:40:04
Heinrich Mosers entrepreneurial spirit is celebrated with the new Venturer Collection of watches. The Venturer Small Seconds with its HMC 327 movement, the first timepiece in the collection, reaffirms H. Moser & Cie.s renown for crafting high precision ...
will go from strength to strength, I really like what they do and their philosophy. High Quality + Simplicity = Success to me;) I hope to one day own one. Cheers Francois from down Under
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : March 24th, 2014-07:58
Case size, convex profile, indices. I think it will be a winner and a great addition to Moser's line up. Hope to see it in the metal someday. Thanks for the update Kong! Cheers Robin
I like the look and size, and the dial is what I wish the Mayu had (the double stick at 12 instead of the 12). Cannot wait to see more of what Moser has in store!
...according to Mr Meylan's comments of what to expect at Basel (and having already announced black perpetual calendar). Is this really 12.5mm thick? The Monard is 11mm and this Veturer case looks thinner than that of the Monard, though the domed crystal ...
total thickness wise, not sure when the additional till some of us viewed the piece. Spec wise is 12.5mm, quite likely, as you pointed out is the cambered sapphire.