WORDS
Eleanor Pryor
The minute repeater is one of the most technically demanding of complications, a tour de force of timekeeping that deserves a showcase. With its new Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aqua Blue, H. Moser & Cie places the feature front and centre with a thoroughly contemporary way of highlighting the chiming mechanism on the dial.
With this the watchmaker has made the unusual decision of making the two gongs and hammers that sound the hours, quarter-hours and minutes fully visible. Their curved form not only fits harmoniously with the modern and minimalist aesthetic of the timepiece, but is shaped so as not to interfere with the flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock.
The latter appears to float above the captivating blue dial, decorated in the brand’s signature fumé effect. This is achieved using a delicate and time-consuming Grand Feu enamelling technique. First, the gold base is engrained with a textured pattern, before four different pigments are applied to create an ombré effect. For a flawless, translucent finish, the dial must be fired 12 times in the kiln, with each resulting dial slightly different, adding a personal touch.