The Magic Of 3: Introducing The New H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021
Editor’s note: For nearly a decade now we have curiously anticipated the Only Watch Auction. The 2021 edition doesn’t disappoint! While watches earlier this year had a green theme, this year’s Auction watches seem to have an orange theme. Following the releases from Watches & Wonders 2021, today we present the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021. Here’s our preview and the Gut Reaction Review (Grr…). For our standard detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here.
Gut Reaction
Robert Frost once said: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on”.
With the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021, the brand effortlessly combines three distinct features: Vantablack® dial, the Streamliner case architecture, and the engineering of the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon to ensure that their legacy to creating extraordinary timepieces goes on.
The new timepiece is not without precedence. In June last year, H. Moser & Cie collaborated with MB&F for the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon.
The Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon measured almost 20mm (19.5mm to be precise) thick thanks to the huge domed sapphire crystal. Instead of one monolithic block of exposed movement of the FlyingT, it featured two apertures or sub-dials. The ventricular opening at 12’o clock features a one-minute flying tourbillon that rises above the main dial that is equipped with a cylindrical balance spring.
Below it at 6’o clock is the tilted hour and minute sub-dial that is inclined at 40° — the original has a 50° vertically titled dial with two blued serpentine hands at 7’o clock — for the wearer of the watch to have an exclusive view. This sub-dial is mounted on a conical gear train ensuring optimal torque transmission from one plane to the other.
And this year, for this auction, Moser retains all these features but takes this kinetic art wrist-piece a couple of notches even more ‘crazy’, and presents one lucky bidder the opportunity to take home a piece of horological excellence on ecstasy.
The H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 is MB&F’s FlyingT meets Moser’s Endeavour Concept meets MB&F’s Legacy Machine 101 meets Moser’s Streamliner series. It’s Yin meets Yang. It’s complex meets simple.
But that’s not all. It is blacked out with a super-black coating reputed to be the darkest man-made substance in existence. And as for the case, from the time the H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Flyback Chronograph 6902-1200 landed in early 2020, the appeal for steel integrated bracelet watches has reached new heights.
The ref. 6902-1200 measured at a larger 42.3mm diameter (and 14.20mm thickness). The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 measures only 40mm and is slimmer wrist-friendly, and thankfully retains the same design language and the integrated steel bracelet. It is again also water-resistant to 12 ATM.
Estimated to go between CHF 60’000 – 80’000 at the auction, this futuristic timepiece comes on a stunning bracelet with articulated links featuring a gentle wave combining a vertical brushed finish with polished surfaces. It is perhaps one of the best features about this family, though comparisons with Porsche Design, certain IWC models and Ebel Classic Wave models are inevitable.
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone,” said Reba McEntire.
The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 succeeds thanks to these three things: wishbone that seems Moser successfully create a three-dimensional movement equipped with a cylindrical hairspring; the backbone to release timepiece after timepieces that are unique and challenge the status quo; and the funny bone to make the collectors used to the idea of owning a watch that is ironically without time-telling indices or numerals.
The Context
54 brands are participating this year for the 9th edition — the first one was in 2005 — of the biennial charity auction Only Watch, whose aim is to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The auction in collaboration with Christie’s is on 6 November 2021, at 2pm (Geneva time), at the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues.
The winning bidder will not only be contributing to this worthy cause, but will also get the opportunity to experience a unique manufacture and museum visit in Schaffhausen, next to the Rhine falls.
In regards to the brand, we all know that the house from Schaffhausen has mastered the art of telling time without the need for conventional indexes or branding on watches. Their watches are avant-garde and unique, and the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 is no different.
And as for the Vantablack® material, well, it is an innovative material developed for astrophysics that has previously found use elsewhere in telescopes and in the military through its efficiency in creating thermal camouflage. H. Moser & Cie describes it as an artificial material that is composed of carbon nanotubes that are 10,000 times finer than a human hair, aligned vertically alongside each other.
The Engine
The reference 6810-1200 features the three-dimensional movement equipped with a cylindrical hairspring, the calibre HMC 810.
It is an automatic winding, three-dimensional vertical architecture movement. It features a bi-directional pawl winding system and offers a one-minute flying tourbillon at 12’o clock with skeletonised bridges.
The new calibre HMC 810 beats at the frequency of 3Hz (21’600 A/h), comprises 29 jewels, features 184 components and boasts of an impressive 72-hour (minimum) power reserve.
That’s All Folks!
When back in January 2020 the ref. 6902-1200 with a griffé dial was released, I was happy that finally there was a sports integrated steel bracelet watch that didn’t look like it stemmed from the mind of Gerald Genta.
Not ones to be tamed, the brand has raised the ante with the new Moser Only Watch, that breaks out of the shadows of the MB&F inspired H. Moser x MB&F Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon.
Architecturally the watch has it all: fluid lines, geometric curves, dynamic forms, 3D perceptions, and a wonderful play of darkness.
Plato once said: “Human behaviour flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge”.
The new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 is an incarnation of this ideology, where the brand’s horological prowess flows from three main sources: desire to create something truly unique; presenting the wearer with the chance to catch a hold of their emotions as they get a hold of themselves trying not to get hypnotised by the never-ending darkness of Vantablack®; and offering a timepiece with the rare knowledge and expertise that’s gone behind making the calibre HMC 810.
To find out more about the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Only Watch 2021 and other auction timepieces, please head to the ONLY WATCH 2021 collection website here. All images unless otherwise specified are ©MOSER SCHAFFHAUSEN AG. All Rights Reserved. All basic information Copyright © Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies. Make sure to check out our reviews of Watches & Wonders 2021 releases here.
