Our 3 favourite watches from H. Moser & Cie.’s new Certified Pre-Owned Collection

James Robinson

In an increasingly common trend among Swiss watchmakers, H. Moser & Cie. has unveiled a dedicated, in-house managed range of certified pre-owned watches. Available for purchase directly through the H. Moser & Cie. website, the curated collection of timepieces are, according to Moser, meticulously inspected, serviced and polished back to factory original condition by the Swiss firm’s master watchmakers. What’s more, every pre-owned watch sold will come with a guarantee of authenticity as well as 24 months of factory warranty, which is a nice touch.

We’ve spent the last couple of hours poring over the pre-loved range and we’ve got to admit that Moser is definitely on to something with this enterprise – there are some limited edition pieces on offer that are rarer than … well, a limited edition Moser. The collection will constantly be evolving as time goes on, but as of right now, these are our three favourites.

Venturer Small Seconds Ref. 2327-1203

Limited to just 10 pieces in the world, this Venturer Small Seconds, replete with purple fumé dial, is achingly attractive. And, in a trend that’s quite common among the uncommon, limited edition Mosers out there, we’re really digging the lack of logo – it gives this watch great minimalist flair. Thanks to its stainless steel case measuring in at 43mm across and 12.6mm thick, this Venturer also sits on the larger end of the Moser scale, ensuring that it will have a good amount of wrist presence. Inside the sizeable case is Moser’s manufacture calibre HMC 327, a hand-wound movement that features an operating frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, no less than three days of power reserve and a complementing purple hairspring and balance wheel. The Venturer is paired with a chocolate brown Kudu strap with purple stitching, which is a nice touch that ties the whole ensemble together rather well. If you’re a fan of this watch, you’re not alone … mind you, though, much like its oversized case, this limited Venturer’s price tag is considerable – CHF 17,500 (roughly $31,000 AUD).

Swiss Alp Watch Ref. 5324-0200

Unquestionably the most recognisable H. Moser & Cie. in recent memory, the Swiss Alp Watch is a provocative timepiece that perfectly exemplifies the disruptive firm’s maverick approach to watchmaking. Yes, this iconic watch was instantly cast into infamy upon its unveiling … how could it not? Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six years, it’s obvious to everyone that it’s shaped exactly like an Apple Watch. But unlike an Apple Watch and its digitised innards, inside the familiarly square dimensions of the Swiss Alp’s solid 18k white gold case, you’ll find Moser’s masterfully finished in-house calibre HMC 324. The manually wound movement offers up no less than four days of power reserve and can be admired thanks to a sapphire crystal caseback. Just 50 examples of this Swiss Alp were created, and if you initially missed out on getting your hands on one, this watch presents as the next best thing. However, with exclusivity comes cost … a lot of cost — CHF 23,100 ($40,000 AUD) to be precise.

Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Ref.1343-0207

Rounding out our three favourites, this Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept is, in this writer’s humble opinion, one of the nicest-looking Mosers produced to date, and it’s all down to the dial. The colour, “Midnight Blue fumé” is an expertly judged blend of subtlety and beauty, and it showcases what many consider Moser to be better at than just about anyone else in the industry. Then there’s the dial’s layout: it’s so minimalist, with just a slender, highly polished 18k white gold handset to be found. No date aperture, no indices and no logo, just the essentials. The effect that this sparseness has on the overall aesthetic of the timepiece cannot be understated – it enables this Endeavour to have a real, undiluted singularity of purpose. Wrapped around the beguiling dial is a classically proportioned 40.8mm case hewn from solid 18k white gold, which measures just 10.9mm thick. Inside the rounded case is Moser’s manufacture calibre HMC 343, a hand-wound movement that offers a substantial seven days of power reserve, as well as an interchangeable Moser escapement, original Straumann hairspring and dual barrels. Finished off with a hand-stitched black alligator leather band with solid 18k white gold pin buckle, this Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept commands a hefty price – CHF 22,300 (roughly $39,000 AUD). But for that not insignificant sum, you are buying just one of 10 examples ever produced and, as mentioned, perhaps one of the best-looking Mosers to date.