Introducing: The MIH Ga?a Watch

October 30, 2019

Today we have something special to introduce C the second watch released to date by Switzerland's Muse International d'Horlogerie (MIH for short). Many readers will remember the first MIH watch, which was released in 2005 and quickly became a cult hit with for minimalist design and use of a simplified, nine-part annual calendar module atop a Valjoux 7750. That original MIH Watch was created by the museum's then-curator, Ludwig Oechslin (of Ulysse Nardin and Ochs und Junior fame), and master watchmaker Paul Gerber. While this simple and affordably priced annual calendar chronograph is a watch that I never owned, it's a watch that I remember wanting to own. (The original MIH Watch did inspire me to pick up the Zenith Captain Winsor when Oechslin licensed the module tech to Zenith, which fitted it atop another chronograph, its legendary El Primero.) The second generation MIH Watch also features a minimalist design, this time inspired by the Brutalist MIH building designed by architects Georges-Jacques Haefeli and Pierre Zoelly. Designed by Atelier XJC/Xavier Perrenoud, the MIH Ga?a Watch has been manufactured with the assistance of several watch industry suppliers from the surrounding area. These include an automatic SW400 movement via Sellita, a stainless steel case from Stila SA, a display from Jean Singer & Cie., a strap from Brasport SA, and a clasp from Cornu & Cie. If you're wondering about the name Ga?a, it comes from the spherical watchmaking award that has been presented by the museum since 1993. The MIH Ga?a watch's display is straightforward and legible. The hours are shown with a disk at the top of the display, and the minutes are right below the hours in a round sub-dial tucked neatly under the hours. The movement's custom rotor, visible through a window that mirrors the hour aperture on the dial, reveals the name of the museum when the rotor lines up to the right position. Horologically speaking, the MIH watch isn't anything crazy. But where the first MIH Watch's claim to fame was its annual calendar mechanism, with this watch, it's all about the display and the design.? Pricing for the MIH watch will follow the subscription model, a method for pricing and selling watches that goes all the way back to the time of A. L. Breguet. Would-be buyers place a deposit to reserve their watch and pay the full amount upon receipt. The deposits are used to gauge demand and fund the production. The MIH Ga?a Watch is available on a subscription basis from now until January 2020 for the price of CHF 2,900 (the deposit is CHF 1,000), but the first few buyers will receive a substantial discount of $500, bringing the total price of the watch down CHF 2,400. At this writing, this pricing is still available here. The MIH is housed in an award-winning Brutalist building. As with the first MIH watch, this one is also being offered to raise funds for the museum C which, I might add, is well worth a visit should you ever find yourself in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Sales of the MIH Ga?a watch will primarily go toward two restorations: that of the Grand Magicien, an automaton clock made by Jean-David Maillardet and his son Julien-Auguste in 1830, and the Franc?ois Ducommun Tellurium, which dates from the 19th century.? The atelier within the museum where restoration work is conducted. Proceeds from the MIH Ga?a Watch will fund the restoration of two major pieces in the museum's collection. Once the initial limited series of 200 watches?is finished, the blue display you see here will be retired, though the museum says it may make subsequent variations or individual editions with partners.? Sales from the MIH Ga?a watch will fund the restoration of the Grand Magicien, an automaton clock. Initial Thoughts While the original MIH watch came with an innovative movement and module that excited the WIS community, this newer model is more ordinary in terms of its functionality. The SW400 movement at its heart is, after all, the Sellita clone of the ubiquitous ETA 2824. Having said that, the newer MIH watch is a looker, and at 39mm x 9.74mm it's sized right. This watch is also a good value, especially if you lock one in while the $500 discount applies. I particularly like the blue display's depth and richness as it appears in these supplied images from MIH, and the squared-off, thicker-than-wire lugs are substantial yet elegant, a characteristic that I think could also be said about the imposing concrete structure that is the museum building itself. It's not too often that you can buy a watch that is truly limited, funds a great cause, and looks this great. I look forward to seeing this watch in the metal, hopefully sooner rather than later. Ed: A previous version of this article attributed this watch's design to the museum. While the MIH Ga?a Watch was exclusively developed by in-house experts at the museum, the design work was carried out by Atelier XJC/Xavier Perrenoud. The Basics Brand: MIHModel: MIH Ga?a WatchDiameter: 39mmThickness: 9.74mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: Blue-PVD-treated main dial, rhodium-plated hour disk, PVD-treaded central minute diskLume: NoWater Resistance: 3 ATMStrap/Bracelet: Calf leather with buckle engraved with MIH and featuring the museum's geographical coordinates (4706'03'' N / 0649'48'' E) The Movement Caliber: Sellita SW400-1Functions: Rising hours, central minutes sub-dialDiameter: 31mmPower Reserve: 38 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800vphJewels: 26 Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 2,400 during subscription period; thereafter, CHF 2,900Availability: Summer 2020Limited Edition: Series 1 limited to 200 piecesFor more, click here.