The company H. Moser & Cie., based in the Swiss-German town of Neuhausen, bears the tagline “very rare”. Most people assume that the phrase refers to the H. Moser & Cie. watches, but it also applies to the company at large.
For an industry that is largely based in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, H. Moser & Cie. stands out as a company that is set apart from the rest of the pack. They are part of a group that also includes a research and development arm, supplying horological solutions such as balance wheels and hairsprings to other players in the industry. There are plenty of so-called independent brands, but H. Moser & Cie. is more independent than most.
Currently owned by the Meylan family, H. Moser & Cie. was founded in 1828 by Heinrich Moser, industrialist and entrepreneur originally from Schaffhausen who trained as a watchmaker in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle before venturing into Russia to establish his business. His work quickly found favour among the elite classes, and Moser-made movements found their way into exceptional Fabergé creations that were commissioned by members of the ruling Romanov dynasty.
On his return to Switzerland, Heinrich Moser became a benefactor of his city of origin, driving civil engineering projects such as the ambitious hydro-mechanical dam that made Schaffhausen a thriving industrial hub. It was this reputation for cutting-edge technology and a modernising spirit that made the city so attractive to American businessman F.A. Jones, who subsequently founded IWC in Schaffhausen.
The modern H. Moser & Cie. collections Endeavour, Venturer and Pioneer are named for periods of Heinrich Moser’s life, with the former two representing more traditional values whilst the sporty Pioneer is imbued with dynamism and a contemporary energy.
Newly introduced, the Streamliner is the latest collection of H. Moser & Cie., which possesses a slick vintage vibe that will attract design aficionados. The Swiss Alp Watch, which some critics initially dismissed as a marketing gimmick aimed at riding the smart watch wave, has grown into itself and has its own fans and enthusiasts.
Their proximity to Precision Engineering, their R&D-focused sister company, has augmented H. Moser & Cie. invaluably, allowing them to implement such mechanical hallmarks as the Straumann double spiral, their high-efficiency modular escapement and the large perpetual date. Despite their inherent horological sophistication, some of the most popular H. Moser & Cie. models are the Concept watches, which eschew dial markings for a minimalist appeal. The Swiss Alp Watch Concept Black, for example, doesn’t even have hands — the time is suggested by the tourbillon and more precisely told by the minute repeater function.
Over the years, H. Moser & Cie. have shown their willingness to embrace viral marketing, creating incisive and always memorable campaigns whose messages remain in the mind long after their watches have been presented.
When it comes to H. Moser & Cie., rarity does not equal obscurity. Certainly, no one can ignore them.
WorldTempus is delighted to welcome H. Moser & Cie. as a partner once again.
