“I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman” – The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Funky Blue is the brand’s quirky answer to 126710BLNR
Editor’s note: This is a Mind (stats), Body (design features) & Soul (what’s special) review of the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Funky Blue watch. For our detailed reviews, please head to our dedicated review section here.
“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true,” said Judy Garland. The ref. 6902-1200 from early 2020, that griffé dialled beauty, was limited and sold out like hotcakes. The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic, in Funky Blue, is not only part of the regular production, but just like the quote above, it rises above a lot of watches released this year and your dream of owning one can now really come true. Let’s find out more…
What is it: The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic Funky Blue ref. 6902-1201
Why: Because its predecessor (reviewed here) not only won this year’s GPHG award in the ‘Chronograph’ category, but it also ushered in a new era of integrated bracelet flyback chronographs. Because their fumé blue is out of this world. Also because Batman needs a new time piece
When released: 16 November 2020
Where: Available globally and through their website. And non-limited (phew!)
Who is it for: Definitely for any watch connoisseur who has selective taste (and a sense of humour). Visually striking, it features the brand’s distinctive minimalist design codes and is bound to appeal to any serious watch collector and pursuer of Haute Horlogerie (that’s different).
How does it do: Okay. I give up. If you can’t beat them, join ‘em they say. This is it. I hereby dedicate this year to blue dialled watches (like most years to be honest). No more ranting — yeah like that’s gonna happen — about blue dialled after blue dialled watches. At least I lose to a stunner. The blue fumé on the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner looks ravishingly breathtaking. Not only that, unlike the first iteration reference 6902-1200, this one is not a limited edition. But my favourite part is got to be the subtle inclusion of Batman’s profile that appears in the form of a sculpted cam that is visible through the display case-back. I truly appreciate a Haute Horlogerie brand not taking themselves all too seriously.
Note: The reference 6902-1200 also featured the same ‘Batman’ detail in the movement but somehow slipped under the radar. But once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And with the blue dial, it’s much more relevant.
Missing: I wouldn’t mind if they released a shade of colour they haven’t used before though, because as stunning as this signature ‘Funky Blue’ is, it’s nothing new for the innovative brand.
You know what would have been amazing though? If Moser also released a limited edition version of this same timepiece, but the bracelet links are in the shape of the Batman wing logo? Now that would be one step up!
The Mind
The heart used, calibre HMC 902 developed with AGENHOR — it is a family owned movement manufacturer in Geneva — is a self-winding mechanical movement beating at the frequency of 3Hz (21’600 A/h). The 34.4mm diameter and 7.3mm thick movement comprises of 434 components, 55 jewels and boasts of a decent 54 hours power reserve.
To get into more detail, it is a bi-directional winding movement with a tungsten oscillating weight that is placed between the movement and the dial. Featuring a column wheel chronograph with a two-stage chronograph mechanism, the movement works with the help of a horizontal clutch with a friction wheel and a smooth wheel that is equipped with micro-teeth to avoid intermeshing of gears and to minimise accidental jumps when the chronograph is activated. The movement also features a tulip yoke allowing the chronograph to be triggered or released.
Thanks to the automatic winding system being hidden under the dial, the unobstructed movement can be viewed in its entirety.
The Body
The movement is encased inside a 42.3mm diameter and 14.20mm thick steel case topped by a gently domed Glassbox type sapphire crystal, that sans lugs wears smaller and hugs your wrist like its life depended on it. Very elegant, very comfortable.
The bezel has a sunray brushed finish; the case has alternating brushed and polished surfaces, with hollowed and satin-finished forms on the sides, in a nod to the shapes one has come to expect of Moser cases.
Given its amazing ‘dynamic’ 120m (12 ATM) water-resistance combined with the all steel body and the fact that the chronograph can be used underwater, the watch can be worn through life without worrying about little hiccups.
The watch comes on an integrated steel bracelet featuring a folding clasp with three steel blades, engraved with the Moser logo. It is perhaps one of the best features about this release, though comparisons with Porsche Design, certain IWC models and Ebel Classic Wave models are inevitable.
Elegantly curved to follow the shape of the wrist and the design of the links ensures that it sits perfectly on even the most slender of wrists. All the links are articulated and feature a gentle wave combining a vertical brushed finish with polished surfaces. Just looking at the bracelet reminds me of the Predator movies; there is just something so slick, so slender, so reptile like quality, and so sexy about that it’s hard to take your eyes off it.
Besides the integrated bracelet, this fumé Funky Blue dial is another standout feature of this release. This stunning blue watch face shows the traditional functions of hours and minutes, along with a chronograph with central display and indication of the elapsed minutes and seconds. The watch also features a flyback feature on the minutes and seconds. Complementing the dial are the rhodium plated three-dimensional curved hands hour and minute hands with Globolight® inserts, which is an innovative ceramic-based material that contains Super-LumiNova® providing for exceptional legibility.
Around the circumference are two white and red minute tracks, the outer one measuring the seconds and the inner one counting the minutes. The dial also features a tachymeter on the flange.
Like all Moser watches, there is much more to the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Funky Blue that what meets the eye on first glance.
- At 12’o clock, the ‘60’ numeral dominates the dial, harking back to the stopwatches of the 60s and 70s
- There is a fair amount of interplay of textures: the bezel has a sun-ray brushed finish; the case has alternating brushed and polished surfaces, with hollowed and satin-finished forms on the sides
- The red chronograph hand and the curved tips of all hands — hands have thicker bases and finer tips — help bring a sense of depth and 3D effect to the dial
The Soul
Architecturally the watch has it all: fluid lines, geometric curves, dynamic forms, a wonderful play of contrasts and textures. Visually, the dial is clean, uncluttered and the changing light creates magic on the Funky Blue dial.
When the Streamliner was first released back in January this year in a (straight brushed) griffé dial and limited to 100 pieces, I couldn’t get over how impressive the bracelet was, and how finally there was a sports integrated steel bracelet watch that didn’t look like it stemmed from the mind of Gerald Genta. I am glad they have retained that bracelet style and the use of steel that frames the blue dial is quite exceptional.
I would like to wrap this up by saying that in my opinion this ‘Batman’ is the perfect answer to the other ‘Batman’, the Rolex GMT-Master II ref.126710BLNR. The beauty of this release is that it can go on being a superhero alongside Rolex’s iconic version; both these watches are distinctive and do not necessarily ‘eat into’ each other’s market or style.
For more information on this watch and other H. Moser & Cie watches, head to their website here. You can reserve this very timepiece here. All images unless stated otherwise ©MOSER SCHAFFHAUSEN AG. All Rights Reserved.
