Only Watch 2017 – The Unique H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch

One of the great things about the Only Watch biennial charity auction is that it’s not exclusive to big names only, such as Patek or Tudor. There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who also step up to donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help fund research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One of these is a favourite amongst the Monochrome team: H. Moser & Cie, and for the 2017 Only Watch event, they have created a one-of-a-kind piece, featuring their now classical “nude” style, with a few little details to make it extra special. Here then is the H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch.

The goal of Only Watch is to entice watch brands to create a one-off watch,, with a unique style or feature and then to donate them in order to raise funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While some have presented complex pieces, with specifically decorated dials, H. Moser & Cie, the Schaffausen-based independent manufacture, has decided “to go naked“, a style that continues their recent direction as seen in their “Concept” watches, without a single mention on the dial, not even the controversial “Swiss Made” or the name of the brand. However, as we’ve seen already: just because these watches are void of any mention does not mean that they can’t be immediately recognized as made by Moser… And so it is with this unique Venturer Concept Only Watch.

Plain in its simplicity, plain in its time-only display, and just plain nude… The Venturer Concept Only Watch is still a rather bold statement, with its sleek 18k white gold case, 2 hands, and not a single inscription on the dial. Though, there’s this sun-ray patterned fumé plate with a gradient red color that immediately make this watch recognizable as a Moser (it’s actually quite an achievement to make such a featureless watch stand out and unique). The color chosen here, red for the dial and white for the hands, refers to the Monaco flag. The case itself is familiar to us all, and it uses the 39mm diameter and usual shape of H. Moser & Cie, with curved casebands.

On the back side of the Venturer Concept Only Watch is the brand’s hand-wound movement with 3-day power reserve. Crafted in-house, entirely in Switzerland and finished with Moser’s high standards of decoration, there is of course that one small detail that makes it unique. Indeed, its balance bridge is coated in vibrant red (a color that is quite unusual for a movement’s part). Red properly takes centre stage in this watch, and to complete the theme, the final touch comes from the inside face of the black alligator strap, which also features this vivid red color.

Only Watch is a biennial fundraiser for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy –  Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies (AMM). Organized under the patronage of HSH Albert II de Monaco, the 7^th edition gathers a record 48 participants. Only Watch 2017 will be auctioned by Christie’s in Geneva in November 2017. For more information, please visit www.onlywatch.com.

Technical Specifications – H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch

• Case: 39mm diameter – 18k white gold, polished and brushed – sapphire crystal on both sides –
• Movement: HMC 327 Manufacture calibre – hand-wound – 3-day power reserve – time-only
• Strap: black alligator strap with red lining
• Unique Piece for Only Watch 2017
• Reference: 2327-0212
• Estimate: CHF 19,500 – 29,500