SpotlightThe ‘Green Dragon’ Returns, Brings Along A Purple Friend: Presenting The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds Matrix Green And Purple Haze
H. Moser & Cie. upgrade their Streamliner Centre Seconds collection with a new, improved movement, bringing back the Matrix Green timepiece, and introducing the Purple Haze dial
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Many moons ago, when the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Centre Seconds was first released in the year 2020, the idea behind it was to provide an ‘entry-level’ watch into the brand’s newly-introduced integrated sport watch collection. And yet, this ‘simple’ three-handed watch went on to join the line’s most defining sub-series, despite the very rare releases of Streamliner Centre Seconds watches. This time, however, the brand release two timepieces at once, bringing back the iconic first Streamliner Centre Seconds Matrix Green (nicknamed the ‘Green Dragon’ by collectors) and introducing the new Purple Haze timepiece, all with an updated movement. The HMC 201 automatic calibre offers better skeletonisation of the movement, enhanced precision, and a power reserve of 72 hours. This release comes a year after their Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon timepiece, whose production was limited to one year only. During this period, Moser went ahead and upgraded the movement from HMC 200 to the HMC 201.
The Streamliner Centre Seconds ‘Green Dragon’ 2.0
The first ever Streamliner Centre Seconds timepiece, the Matrix Green, was revolutionary in an inundated integrated steel sport watch market. Its cushion case and ergonomic single-link streamlined bracelet stood miles apart from the competition—although, to be honest, there wasn’t much competition, as H. Moser tend to do things their own way, and at their own pace. On the face of it, the only thing that stands out in this updated Streamliner Centre Seconds Matrix Green is the minimalist brand logo lacquered onto the dial and visible only at certain angles where the light reflects the transparent branding.
To the wearer, this minimalist autograph may be more telling than a logo or motif. The only visible signature is the ‘M’ on the crown.
It is only on turning the watch around that the real differences between the 2020 ‘Green Dragon’ and this latest release stand out. A skeletonised gold-plated rotor, and partially open-worked bridges decorated with Moser’s double stripes offer a clearer view of the HMC 201 calibre’s components, the gear train and bi-directional pawl-winding system. This skeletonisation also raised the height of the watch from 11.8mm to 12.1mm. The updated movement aside, H. Moser have retained the ergonomic fit of the streamlined bracelet and the feel of the watch on the wrist. The 40mm Streamliner Centre Seconds timepieces are water resistant to 120 metres.
Lost In A Purple Haze: The Latest Streamliner Centre Seconds
On the dials of the watches, the fumé effect—now a signature of Moser timepieces—remains, as the green darkens to a deep forest green around the periphery. Here, a racing minute track punctuated by lume-filled indexes frames the changing hues of the timepiece. The Streamliner Centre Seconds Purple Haze marks a new hue in the Moser family, its striking sunray finish offers a variety of shades in purple. Structured central hour, minutes and seconds hands with Globolight inserts offer enhanced legibility in dimly lit conditions.
If only H. Moser weren’t so rare, there would be more Streamliner Centre Seconds watches to choose from. Brand CEO Edouard Meylan, explained why these updates are so few and far between, in an interview with The Watch Guide, “You basically want to create something (the Streamliner) that that becomes iconic… It will take time and only time will tell, but it can get there and we will continue to protect the collection, and come out with just the right number of watches, the right complications, and not too many variations.” Still, these two new updates to the Streamliner Centre Seconds line should be able to satisfy enthusiasts. For the time being, at least, until the next hue comes along.