Photographs by Jake Witkin
Collaborations and customizations have develop into mainstream within the watch trade lately, but I’d argue that nobody does it fairly like Massena LAB — an outfit that “conceives, designs, and develops distinctive, limited-edition timepieces with impartial watchmakers from world wide.” H. Moser & Cie. is the newest impartial watchmaker that has tapped into Massena LAB’s experience. Collectively, they’ve launched the restricted version H. Moser & Cie. x Massena LAB Endeavour Chronograph Compax watch, which we not too long ago had the pleasure of going hands-on with.
To create the Endeavour Chronograph Compax, the duo attracts cues from historic Moser chronographs from the Nineteen Forties. The mid-century sector design inspiration is instantly obvious, with the Endeavour’s traditional “compax” format comprising two registers at 3 o’clock (for the small seconds) and 9 o’clock (for the 45-minute chronograph), framed by a number of scales. There’s the tachymetric scale across the periphery and chronograph graduations in direction of the middle. The classic Moser emblem is a pleasant contact.
This being a Moser creation, the colour of the dial performs an enormous function within the watch’s persona. Funky Blue is what was chosen, and as anticipated, the fumé dial is flawlessly executed. Alternatively, the printed Tremendous-LumiNova numerals and graduations are a contact too inexperienced within the metallic, and so they virtually seem somewhat sickly. Nevertheless, inexperienced and blue are complementary colours, so the general impact finally ends up working. The dial is little doubt busy, a lot busier than what we’re used to with up to date Moser, however it’s nonetheless legible. I believe the unfavorable area on the heart of the dial helps to tone down the in any other case jam-packed face.
Commenting on the watch’s departure from the pared-down method we’ve come to count on from Moser as we speak, Massena LAB founder, William Massena stated, “Taking inspiration from Moser chronographs from the Nineteen Forties, what intrigued me probably the most throughout this collaboration was the strain between the maximalist classic aesthetic of the previous and the unconventional minimalism on the coronary heart of modern-day H. Moser & Cie. Marrying these two philosophies was a problem, however the ensuing Endeavour Chronograph Compax is a watch which hyperlinks the previous and current, while trying firmly in direction of the long run.”
The dial is nestled inside a 41mm stainless-steel case, measuring 13.3mm thick. On paper, these are bigger dimensions than the three-hander Moser Endeavour watches (40mm in diameter and 11.2mm), which is to be anticipated from a chronograph. Nevertheless, on the wrist, it’s not as noticeably thicker or heavier as you’d anticipate. Seen right here on my colleague Jake’s 6.6-inch wrist, it wears completely and I believe it will work for a wrist as small as 6″ in the event that they don’t thoughts bigger watches. The chronograph pushers are usually not too tall, flanking the notched crown embellished with an “M.” Pusher actuation is agency and responsive — no “mushiness” in any respect.
The sapphire crystal caseback affords an expansive view of the motion contained in the chronograph. H. Moser & Cie. opts for its customary in-house HMC 220 automated motion mixed with a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. The caliber operates at 21,600 beats per hour and provides the Endeavour Chronograph Compax with three days of energy reserve through the bi-directional pawl winding system. As is customary for the watchmaker, the motion is embellished with Moser Stripes, a bespoke tackle the traditional Côtes de Genève sample that alternates vast and slim stripes.
Lastly, the Endeavour Chronograph is paired with a brown kudu leather-based strap with white thread stitching and a metal pin buckle engraved with the H. Moser & Cie. emblem. Tremendous snug on the wrist, the strap seems to be somewhat lived-in and efficiently leans into the old-school vibe the watch is after.
As the primary Endeavour Chronograph, I believe the piece is great. It seems to be good in that vintage-esque form of manner but advantages from the stunning splash of coloration that Moser does so effectively. A little bit of outdated, a bit of recent, this two-way collaboration produced a good-looking piece that can absolutely be widespread inside sure collector circles.
Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie., explains, “The Endeavour Chronograph Compax mannequin is greater than only a watch: It’s a timeless declaration, a bridge between the previous and current, and a fabulous illustration of the power of each manufacturers to push the boundaries of innovation ever additional, while celebrating the watchmaking heritage of H. Moser & Cie. It doesn’t accept merely telling a narrative; it takes you on a journey, immersing its wearer in a world the place time meets discovery and innovation.”
The H. Moser & Cie. x Massena LAB Endeavour Chronograph Compax watch is proscribed to 100 items, and priced at $27,600 USD. It will likely be accessible completely by means of H. Moser & Cie. and Massena LAB’s e-commerce platforms and the H. Moser & Cie. boutique. For extra data, please go to the web sites of H. Moser & Cie. or Massena LAB.
