H. Moser & Cie. surprises with a smartwatch

H. Moser & Cie. surprises with a smartwatch

At first it was a major external threat, then traditional watch manufacturers sensed a major opportunity for themselves – which they succeeded in doing with brands like G-SHOCK – but in the high-end sector it ended up being a well-crafted niche – if at all.

We're talking about the smartwatch. Aside from a quality provider like Garmin, which offers hardware and software from a single source and rounds out its portfolio with exclusive jewelry collections, Apple has dominated smartwatches since its launch, but not the display cases of watch shops. In the high-end segment, TAG Heuer is sticking with the Connected, but new releases are rather sparse. And Frederique Constant has abandoned its commitment to its visually appealing horological smartwatches after a few years.

It is all the more surprising that Moser & Cie., a manufacturer known for high-quality mechanics – including 20 in-house calibers – and stylish design, is once again entering the smart segment.

However, the company is not doing this alone, but has already joined forces with the car manufacturer Alpine in 2024.

From the beginning, it was clear that this would be more than just a partnership good for a nice marketing campaign. Together, they planned to rewrite the rules.

Because that was necessary to answer the following question:

How can a two-hundred-year-old Swiss watchmaker support the Alpine Formula 1 and endurance teams in their quest for precision and performance?

The answer turned out to be a duo consisting of the “Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition” and the “Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition”.

H. Moser & Cie. x Alpine: Two watches, two worlds.

Coinciding with the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in early June, H. Moser & Cie. presented the watch duo developed in close collaboration with Alpine Motorsports: a mechanical chronograph with a skeletonized AgenGraphe movement and the manufacturer's first watch specifically designed for the requirements of a Formula 1 team.

While one model is firmly rooted in watchmaking tradition, the other is a digital project with connected technology.

Streamline Alpine Drivers Edition

This timepiece was created at the request of Alpine riders. It is powered by a high-quality movement developed by AGENHOR, the partner of H. Moser & Cie., and is used here for the first time in a skeleton version.

The openwork dial reveals the gears, like a transparent bodywork revealing the car's technology. And the rich blue and white tones not only suggest speed but also reflect Alpine's distinctive identity.

Two of the bridges visible through the dial are V-shaped, reminiscent of the triangular suspensions of single-seaters. The central bridge of the movement, shaped like a driver's helmet, is a tribute to all those who are at home on the racetrack.

And the skeletonized tungsten rotor mounted on the dial side, which reflects the dynamic lines of the Alpine A110's rims, visibly underlines the connection between engine and movement with every rotation, even when worn.

The chronograph features a central minute and seconds display without subdials. It is equipped with a flyback function, which allows for instant restart of the chronograph.

The skeletonized caliber HMC 700 is finished in contemporary anthracite and offers a 72-hour power reserve. It is protected by a 42.3-millimeter steel case with a blue PVD coating, water-resistant to 12 bar.

Streamline Alpine Mechanics Edition

The name of this watch may be misleading at first, as it has no mechanical drive. Intended as a tool for the men and women at the track and in the pits, its purpose is to optimize communication within the team, speeding up processes, and saving valuable fractions of a second that can make all the difference.

"With this project, we wanted to create a measuring instrument that meets the requirements of a Formula 1 team. A device that accompanies team members on their mission and helps them better survive the race against time and the struggle for every precious second," explains Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie.

The watch combines a digital soul with an analog heart. First, there's a black screen that remains completely motionless in standby mode, but when activated, comes alive with a wealth of information: GMT with country selection function, split-second chronograph, perpetual calendar, and F1 mode with a countdown to the start and notifications about the most important moments of the Formula 1 season.

On the other hand, this watch also has a more classic side, with the time displayed on a small, domed funky blue fumé dial, featuring the H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer.

The Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition is compatible with Android and iOS, operates autonomously, and synchronizes via Bluetooth as needed. Its power reserve is one year in time-only mode, with six one-hour GPs with a continuously illuminated digital display.

The DI0 caliber, developed with Sequent for H. Moser & Cie., is housed in a 42.6-millimeter steel case with a blue composite material, and is water-resistant to 12 bar.

H. Moser & Cie. x Alpine – the story continues

This watch duo marks the beginning of a series of future projects. The partnership between Moser and Alpine is conceived as a long-distance race. This means that more models will follow.

Initially, the Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition and the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition will be sold together, packaged in an exclusive presentation case and limited to 200 units.

The Smart model can also be purchased separately – but only by owners of the “Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine” in blue or pink, which was released in a limited series in 2024.