What started in 2016 as a response from H.Moser & Cie. to the emergence of connected watches, the Swiss Alp Watch will be making its final debut this year. The end of an inspiring concept, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade will be the climax to the Swiss Alp watch adventure and will come in the form of a singular creation.
Like previous editions of the Swiss Alp Watch, the Final Upgrade model design is inspired by modern smartwatches. Like the previous Swiss Alp Watches, this model is completely mechanical! This model takes the design cues from current smartwatches and H.Moser & Cie. inputs their movement and gives it their simplistic dial approach.
Design:
Like all of H.Moser & Cie’s watches, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade shows a very minimalistic approach to watchmaking. Previous versions of the Swiss Alp Watch featured more detail such as visible hour indexes, however, H.Moser & Cie. decided to take it a step further and show only the hour, minute, and the constant seconds running at the 6 o’clock position.
For this model, H. Moser & Cie. have used what they previously created as the “blackest material produced artificially”, termed Vantablack. To emphasise this dial material, H.Moser & Cie. have also slightly blackened the hour and minute hands. This as H.Moser & Cie. says evokes “the standby appearance of the watch”. The case used on the Swiss Alp Final Upgrade is a 38.2 x 44mm steel with black DLC coating. The use of black DLC coating means that the attention is not taken away from the stunning Vantablack dial.
The constant small seconds running at the 6 o’clock position has been redesigned specifically for this model. On previous versions of the Swiss Alp Watch, the constant seconds counter appears standard with seconds markings at 5-second intervals and a hand to show the passing of time. For this new model, however, a completely new design has been created to now show the second’s hand smart-watch style. H.Moser & Cie. have used a shaded disc which is made up of openings that essentially light up as the seconds move on. Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie states that “This idea was conceived by a customer and friend of the brand, a true enthusiast and fan of the Swiss Alp Watch collection. He came to visit us with an extremely precise design and we immediately wanted to create this model, perfectly in line with our philosophy, with a touch of humour and a hint of provocation”.
Movement:
The movement used for the Swiss Alp Final Upgrade by H.Moser & Cie. is their own 100% in-house hand-wound HMC 324 Manufacture calibre. This movement has been developed to last and be carried over by the next generation of watch enthusiasts. The HMC 324 Manufacture calibre has a frequency of 18,000 VpH and can produce a minimum power reserve of approximately 100 hours (4 days).
Key features of this in-house movement include hacking seconds, Moser teeth for all wheels and pinions, original Straumann Hairspring and gold escapement wheel and pallet fork. The watch features an open case back in which you can see the hand-finished and decorated movement and components.
In closing:
H.Moser & Cie. remains faithful to the ideology that “a watch must remain an expression of emotion, make your dream and perform its main purpose: To display the time.” The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade takes the final bow of what started as a smart-watch saga back in 2016 for the Swiss brand. Instil their values of tradition and mechanical Haute Horlogerie, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade features a modern movement with a dial design like no other.
Moser Swiss Alp Specification:
Model Reference: 5324-1205
Case Dimensions: 38.2 x 44.0 mm/height: 10.5 mm
Dial: Vantablack® Case material: Steel model with black DLC coating
Case-back: See-through case back with sapphire crystal
Movement: Hand-wound HMC 324 Manufacture calibre
Power Reserve: Minimum 4 days (96 Hours)
Functions: Hours, minutes and chronograph. Small seconds at 6 o’clock, displayed as a disc and Power reserve indicator on the movement side
Strap: Hand-stitched black alligator leather, Steel pin buckle, engraved with the Moser logo
Australian Retail Pricing : $47,800.00
Availability: Limited Edition to 50 pieces worldwide
Local Authorised Dealers :
- Brisbane – Hardy Brothers
- Melbourne – Hardy Brothers
- Sydney -Avstev Group
