Yes, that’s the full name. This is a watch that does exactly what it says on the tin, and it showcases just about everything in H. Moser’s considerable bag of tricks. The watch is being released within the Endeavor collection, though you’ll recognize a familiar openworked movement architecture that tracks across H. Moser’s stable. Here, they’ve pulled out all the stops to pack a 40mm titanium case full of a veritable powerhouse of high-end time-only complications. The result is a surprisingly cohesive Endeavor boasting an aventurine dial with fumé finish and mother-of-pearl inlays.
Despite the familiar architecture, there’s been some major rearranging of the major components in order to place the striking hammers of the repeater on the front of the dial rather than hidden underneath. The result is an openworked dial with no shortage of drama at every corner. From the chiming hammers at ten o’clock, to the cylindrical tourbillon at six o’clock, to the sub dial displaying the actual time tucked in at two o’clock. The spaces between are filled with the dark bridges holding everything in place, and the movement works within.
This watch uses a flying tourbillon, meaning its cage has no upper bridge, allowing the hand formed cylindrical hairspring to make maximum impact when viewing from above. There’s a lot of depth to this movement, and as the eye navigates the layers of gears, plates, and bridges there’s always something new to find. The tourbillon traverses many of those layers, and get top billing with its central placement at the bottom of the dial.
The chiming works will provide an audible indication of the hour, quarter-hour, and minute when activated via the slide along the nine o’clock side of the case. With the hammers in full view, you’ll also be able to witness their dance along with the acoustic element circling the dial. These elements are quite important to the sound quality, and the use of titanium, which has a lower density than precious metals such as gold or platinum, means the sound will be rich and clear.
All of this in service to the small sub-dial at the top right of the dial, which showcases the ‘Cosmic Rain’ theme of the watch. The base of this sub-dial is aventurine, within which vertical strips of mother-of-pearl have been inlaid. The materials provide plenty of light reflection and shimmering qualities without the need to resort to any sort of lume, which may have felt slightly out of character for a watch of this sort (but then again, maybe not?). The sub-dial itself is quite small, with even smaller leaf shaped hands, but this watch is about drama, not clean legibility, and that’s just fine.
H. Moser will produce just 20 examples of the Endeavour Minute Repeater Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Cosmic Rain, and each will be priced at $440,000. H. Moser