Introducing the H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time

September 05, 2014

H. Moser & Cie has a knack for doing the little things right. Theyve embraced practical complications and mastered the mechanics, right down to their own proprietary hairsprings. As such, they have yet to offer their take on the tourbillon. That changes with the introduction of the Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time, and in true H. Moser fashion, theyve put their own practical spin on it. At first glance, the Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time looks pretty straightforward, but theres more than meets the eye both in construction and function. There are a couple of elements that make this tourbillon a little different than the rest, and the second time zone hand pulls a neat trick when not in use, even if we have seen it before in a watch called the Nomad. Above all, the finishing, attention to dial design details, and general restraint make the Venturer far more interesting than its modesty suggests. The tourbillon may seem like a complication thats been done every which way you could imagine, so whats left to innovate? H. Moser has built the tourbillon into their in-house caliber HMC 802 as a standalone element, meaning its assembled and regulated prior to being placed within the movement. Its a plug-and-play system that they feel will facilitate easier servicing, as the tourbillon cage as a whole can be removed from the whole by a wider range of watchmakers who may not have expertise with exotic complications. In addition to the modular construction, the tourbillon also utilizes dual hairsprings for reduced friction and improved isochronism (in theory). The dual springs are meant to counter each other, effectively neutralizing any adverse effects of gravity regardless of position. Weve seen this type of dual hairspring setup before, and were not completely sold on its effectiveness, but given the separation of the complication there is no added complexity to the whole. The Venturer also features a second time zone hand, similar to what weve seen before in the Nomad. Like that watch, the Venturers second time zone hand can also be neatly hidden behind the hour hand with the help of the crown. Absent is the day/night indicator at 12 oclock. Aesthetically, the Venturer boasts a distinctly old-school vibe thanks to a convex crystal and a dial heavily cambered at its edges. The hands slope to match the angle of the dial and hour indices. That steep angle also adds a good bit of drama to the three separate color options. The 41.5 mm case can be had in either white or rose gold, but the dial is available in ardoise, red gold fum, or argent. Each are rich in tone and texture thanks to a light sunburst pattern. The dial is artfully cut away to reveal not just the tourbillon, but also a fair amount of the base plate underneath, which is color matched to the dial and decorated. Around back, the caliber HMC 802 can be viewed through an exhibition window, where youll find a large, open-worked oscillating weight, and some tidy construction revealing little outside of the gear train and tourbillon. The Venturer Tourbillon Dual Time is beautifully executed and represents a first step in a new direction for the small yet highly capable outfit known as H. Moser & Cie. The price is USD is $98,000. Keep an eye on their website for additional information.