A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
I sent my watch to Moser to be serviced recently as it was 7 years old and timekeeping was starting to drift a bit on it so I figured it was due one. On completetion of the service I was sent a bill for the work which included a rather large amount for insured shipping back and I thought to myself "I could probably fly out to Switzerland for less than that" and after a quick check on EasyJet I was absolutely correct so made arrangements with a friend I have out there and agreed to go collect in person and have a tour of the factory for me and a travelling companion (a good friend and fellow watch nerd) thrown into the bargain
The Moser factory isn't nestled in the side of a remote Swiss mountain as I romantically imagined but instead in a small industrial estate in Neuhausen am Rheinfall
Treated to some Swiss hospitality before we got down to the serious business
Moser produce a small number of watches (about 1200 - 1500 annually) which are hand made. Here a watchmaker is assembling a perpetual calendar movement
This watchmaker is oiling the mechanism using a tiny syringe. You can see it enlarged on the screen in front of him
Here's a completed mechanism (minus the balance wheel) of the perpetual calendar movement
This machine was fascinating. This is what stretches the alloy to less than the thickness of a human hair to make the balance spring. The straight metal is then twisted by hand using a small device (which I didn't photograph) by the watchmaker
Here's what we came for.....my own watch looking good as new! They even micro welded a small part of the bezel that a previous owner had dinked rather than polish that out so the bezel isn't misshaped in any way. First class service
Then we got to play with some toys......some concept and not yet in production models as well as some from the current collection:
Lastly we were greeted by the company CEO (Edouard Meylan) and the International sales manager (Nicholas Hofmann) where we sat and chatted more about the brand, other watches, and life in general while sampling a rather nice Swiss Whisky (Not a patch on a nice Scottish malt of course! )
Needless to say we had an absolutely fantastic time and it was so nice of a company like Moser & Cie to let 2 watch nerds wander around, take photos of everything, and generally welcome us to their factory. Their slogan is "Very Rare" and it doesn't just apply to their watches.....I could just imagine phoning most other Swiss brands and asking to tour their factory (unless you've spent mega money with them!) what the answer would be. A wonderful day trip and certainly a more pleasant option than sitting in and waiting for the UPS driver to deliver the watch back!!
The Moser factory isn't nestled in the side of a remote Swiss mountain as I romantically imagined but instead in a small industrial estate in Neuhausen am Rheinfall
Treated to some Swiss hospitality before we got down to the serious business
Moser produce a small number of watches (about 1200 - 1500 annually) which are hand made. Here a watchmaker is assembling a perpetual calendar movement
This watchmaker is oiling the mechanism using a tiny syringe. You can see it enlarged on the screen in front of him
Here's a completed mechanism (minus the balance wheel) of the perpetual calendar movement
This machine was fascinating. This is what stretches the alloy to less than the thickness of a human hair to make the balance spring. The straight metal is then twisted by hand using a small device (which I didn't photograph) by the watchmaker
Here's what we came for.....my own watch looking good as new! They even micro welded a small part of the bezel that a previous owner had dinked rather than polish that out so the bezel isn't misshaped in any way. First class service
Then we got to play with some toys......some concept and not yet in production models as well as some from the current collection:
Lastly we were greeted by the company CEO (Edouard Meylan) and the International sales manager (Nicholas Hofmann) where we sat and chatted more about the brand, other watches, and life in general while sampling a rather nice Swiss Whisky (Not a patch on a nice Scottish malt of course! )
Needless to say we had an absolutely fantastic time and it was so nice of a company like Moser & Cie to let 2 watch nerds wander around, take photos of everything, and generally welcome us to their factory. Their slogan is "Very Rare" and it doesn't just apply to their watches.....I could just imagine phoning most other Swiss brands and asking to tour their factory (unless you've spent mega money with them!) what the answer would be. A wonderful day trip and certainly a more pleasant option than sitting in and waiting for the UPS driver to deliver the watch back!!
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
TMH (https://watchcomplications.com)
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"it is maddening choosing your outfit based on the watch you want to wear..."
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
This is fascinating. I've always thought of the machines that perform these tasks as being giant, room-filling industrial beasts. This one is almost delicate by comparison. It is also impressive that they are making their own balance springs. Not something that many companies this size can lay claim to.
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
Great post, thanks.
I'd love a Moser.
I'd love a Moser.
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
Fascinating, sounds like a great experience. Some of those Mosers look exquisite. A nice treat so close to your birthday!
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
what a brilliant thing to do!
thanks for sharing - what an interesting post.
thanks for sharing - what an interesting post.
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
That looks like an amazing trip and tour !
Well done for having the thought to do this and the especially nice Moser company to let you and your friend have more or less free reign
Thanks for posting the photos, very enjoyable.
Well done for having the thought to do this and the especially nice Moser company to let you and your friend have more or less free reign
Thanks for posting the photos, very enjoyable.
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
That must have been an expensive stamp they were going to put on your parcel?
Steve.
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
A very enjoyable post thank you for taking the time.
Dave
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
A good report from you and some excellent timepieces. Well done.
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
More than a little initiative shown there by you.
Your Moser is up their with the best and absolutely amazed at what they did to repair the 'dink'.
A fortunate man indeed.
scooter
Your Moser is up their with the best and absolutely amazed at what they did to repair the 'dink'.
A fortunate man indeed.
scooter
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Re: A wee trip out to Moser & Cie
scooter wrote:More than a little initiative shown there by you.
Your Moser is up their with the best and absolutely amazed at what they did to repair the 'dink'.
A fortunate man indeed.
scooter
What he said.
One of my favorite brands.
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