To Tell Time on the H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Concept, You’ll Have To Listen to its Minute Repeater

Before electricity became widespread, folks had to use minute repeaters to tell the time when it was too dark to see. Swiss watchmaker H. Moser & Cie is taking things back with their Swiss Alp Watch Concept, a glossy black-dialed beauty free of any hands, logos, and indices. There’s just a one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock and a rectangular case design that’s reminiscent of a smart watch with which you may already be familiar.

Inside, there’s that exposed flying tourbillon as well as a minute repeater with shaped chimes, a rare achievement that shouldn’t be overlooked one bit. The hand-wound HMC 901 calibre is a partnership with MHC Manufactures Hautes Complications SA, the experts in minute repeaters. The shaped calibre houses two rectangular shaped gongs, which are not the easiest to tune.

To amplify the sound of the hours, quarter-hours, and minutes produced by the two angled gongs, the middle of the case was completely hollowed out to create sufficient space for a resonance chamber. The end result of H. Moser & Cie’s relentless attention to detail is a beautiful sound that’s strong yet pure.

For all its complications, the Swiss Alp Watch Concept is minimal and understated, looking as if it’s just a smart watch that’s gone dark and on standby when it’s so much more. With so much attention paid to the case and housing, it’s no surprise the strap is just as refined. Made from hand-stitched black alligator leather, the strap also features red lining and a solid platinum pin buckle that’s engraved with the Moser logo.

See more of the H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Concept in the gallery above and head to see more of their creations.