H. Moser & Cie Manufacture Visit: 5 Years Later

Nitediver revisits the H. Moser & Cie manufacture in Neuhausen five years after his initial visit, offering a unique perspective on the brand's evolution. This post sets the stage for a detailed report on how the company has changed under new ownership while maintaining its core values of clever in-house movements and timeless design.

Visit at H. Moser & Cie: 5 years later (Part 1)

Back in 2011, I visited the H. Moser manufacture in Neuhausen (Canton Schaffhausen).  5 years later I felt it would be interesting to go back and see how the company has changed over the years.  

 It was a fascinating day back in 2011 and I still remember it very well. Here are the links to the two parts of the report, in case you want to do some background reading.

Part 1: www.watchprosite.com

Part 2: www.watchprosite.com

You are probably aware that a few things have actually changed at H. Moser – back in 2012 the Meylan family took over the ownership of H. Moser and a new management came in place.  There was some restructuring in the company yet the core of H.Moser remains unchanged and is probably stronger than ever:  clever in-house movements and timeless design. And of course there is the Swiss Alp Watch, but also some refreshing colour combos – I think of the Concept Funky Blue with Kudu leather strap.                                                                      

My hosts during the visits were Mr. Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser, and Mr. Tobias Gruenenwald, Sales Manager Europe.

The Manufacture

A word of warning: I am not a mechanical engineer and neither a watchmaker. So bear with me if some terms should be incorrect – it is a non-professionals view on watchmaking.

While the manufacture is essentially the same as in 2011, the manufacturing of the Straumann spring has been brought to Neuhausen in the mean while.  While it has always been a proprietary process and technology of H. Moser, the actual manufacturing was done at external premises previously, while now it is located at the lower floor of the manufacture.

The machines for making the wire which is used for the Straumann spring are not shown here. Let say, that an already very thin wire if made so thin, that it is hard to see. It is finally flat rolled to an accuracy of one ten thousand of a millimetre.

Apparatus for cutting the wire in the precise length

This gentleman specializes in making the spring assembly from the wires.

I took a shot of a poster hanging on the wall which explains best how the four wires are made into four spring assemblies by winding the wires into a device.  Afterwards they spring assemblies are treated in a high-vacuum oven.

Straumann balance springs before applying the Breguet end curve. It might be interesting to note that H. Moser manufactures hairsprings and balance wheels for a number of high end brands, which prefer not to be mentioned by name. As you are probably aware, there are extremely few companies manufacturing their own hairsprings.

This lady is applying the Breguet end curve to the hairspring. It is a purely manual work which requires extremely fine skills. 

 Balance wheels in gold with mounted Straumann spring. The Balance wheels of all Moser watches are equipped with gold screws.

Further on to the assembly department.

Limited Edition of the Endeavour Perpetual Calender in Titanium. The first watch was made for  Karl-Heinz Riedle, a sport journalist and previous football world champion. Limited to 10 pieces.

And here is the movement side. I must admit that I like the movement with black treatment very much. Looks extremely cool and yet very aesthetic.

(END OF PART 1)