SpotlightIntroducing The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Limited Edition Timepiece
As part of H. Moser & Cie.’s collaboration with Alpine Motorsports Formula One team, the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition timepiece stands out for its beautifully crafted cylindrical tourbillon, and racing-inspired accents on the dial and rubber strap
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Motorsports and watches have always made for fantastic alliances, resulting in some beautiful timepieces that tell more than just the time. A fine example is H. Moser & Cie.’s latest Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition, released in collaboration with French race car maker Alpine Motorsports. The partnership between the brands was announced earlier this year, marking the first time H. Moser have collaborated with a Formula One drivers and endurance racing team. This is Moser’s second cylindrical tourbillon after the Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton, which won the ‘tourbillon watch’ prize at the GPHGs that year, and follows close on the heels of the brand’s latest Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton. The Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition, however, takes the cylindrical tourbillon into a whole new dimension—one with an extremely fascinating complication, colour, contemporary materials, and a cool new rubber strap in blue.
A Cylindrical Heart
While the round case of the Pioneer line was a beautiful frame for a cylindrical tourbillon, the Streamliner’s smooth curves give the complication an even deeper sculpted effect. The 42.3mm cushion-shaped case in steel frames the skeletonised HMC 811 automatic calibre that powers the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition timepiece. At six o’clock on the dial is the marvellous tourbillon with a cylindrical hairspring and two Breguet overcoils, also seen through the open caseback. Crafted by H. Moser’s sister company Precision Engineering AG, the cylindrical hairspring, when combined with a tourbillon, reduces friction and considerably improves precision of the timepiece. With the curved sapphire crystal glass over the dial, the height of the case measures 14mm, so as to accommodate all 171 components of the movement. An open-worked rotor in gold peeks out through the components from the dial side, and is visible prominently on reverse of the timepiece.
Symmetrically positioned around the cylindrical tourbillon on the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition watch are skeletonised bridges, enhancing the artistry in the sculpted mechanics of the complication. At 12 o’clock is the timekeeping sub-dial on an intense blue lab-grown spinel (an artificial gemstone), with Super-LumiNova-filled indexes. Structured timekeeping hands feature Globolight inserts, which, in turn, enhance the depth of the timepiece. Moser’s minimalism is apparent in the lack of any branding on the dial.
Aerodynamic Elegance Of The Streamliner
For a timepiece associated with racing, the Streamliner seemed the most logical choice, with its 1920s high-speed locomotive engine inspiration. While this Moser flagship collection is usually presented on a single link-integrated bracelet, the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition timepiece is paired with an integrated blue rubber strap that not only matches the timekeeping sub-dial, but also enhances ergonomics and durability of the watch. With 120m of water resistance, the timepiece is wearable on the race track, and even off it.
Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Pink Livery
Their second collaborative timepiece released to commemorate the 2024 Miami Grand Prix on May 6, the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Pink Livery, features a timekeeping sub-dial in a mesmerising pink. Made from synthetic corundum, an extremely hard crystal that is difficult to machine, the Pink Livery timepiece features the signature pink of Alpine F1 team’s title sponsor BWT, an Austria-based firm that specialises in water purification and distribution systems.
In a 42.3mm Streamliner case that is water resistant to 120 metres, the brand’s cylindrical tourbillon at six on the skeletonised dial balances the translucent pink timekeeping sub-dial. The HMC 811 automatic calibre powers this timepiece as well. Mounted on a matching bright pink rubber strap, the hard-to-ignore timepiece will also go on auction, the proceeds of which will go to Aqua Pearls, a non-profit organisation established by BWT to improve access to clean drinking water worldwide.
The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine limited edition timepiece will only have a 100-piece run, while the Pink Livery version is limited to 20 pieces only. However, as these are the first timepieces in a collaboration between two brands that each take their crafts seriously, there are bound to be more stunning examples in the future as well.
