The H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Limited Edition

Unless you were on the board of H. Moser & Cie. or an insider on the F1 circuit, not many of our readers would have guessed that Moser would become the timekeeping partner of Alpine Motorsports (ex-Renault). Announced earlier this year, the collaboration extends to all disciplines associated with Alpine Motorsports, from F1 to endurance racing. Today, the first signs of the partnership materialise on board the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Limited Edition, a fascinating, souped-up skeletonised model that understands its partner’s passion for high-performance mechanics.

Last week, Moser unveiled its first Streamliner with a bold, skeletonised tourbillon movement. However, the Streamliner released today increases the viewing pleasure for cogheads with the incorporation of Moser’s cylindrical tourbillon, which made its debut on the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon model in collaboration with MB&F and, more recently, on the more robust Pioneer model of 2022.

As Moser’s original interpretation of the luxury sports watch genre, the Streamliner was selected as the ideal candidate to celebrate the Alpine Motorsports partnership. Inspired by the sleek, aerodynamic silhouettes of high-speed trains that marked the Streamliner Moderne period of the 1920s-1930s, the cushion-shaped case of the Streamliner exhibits harmonious proportions and fluid, ergonomic lines.

The cushion-shaped stainless steel case has a diameter of 42.3mm and a thickness of 11mm (14mm, including the domed sapphire crystal over the dial) and is water-resistant to 120 metres. Dynamic finishings include the radial-brushed bezel with its wide mirror-polished bevels and the narrow aerodynamic cavity running down the side of the case, which, with its contrasting brushed finish, creates a layered effect.

A graceful network of arcing openworked anthracite bridges reveals the skeletonised HMC 811 manufacture calibre from both sides of the watch. While some skeletonised dials can be chaotic, raw and overwhelming, Moser’s approach is based on symmetry and airiness.

Placed at 6 o’clock, the sculptural one-minute flying tourbillon, with its cylindrical hairspring, rises perpendicularly around the upper stem of the balance spindle. The skeletonised bridge is bevelled and polished by hand. Fitted with two Breguet curves, the friction on the pivots is reduced, and the movement’s isochronism is improved. Cylindrical hairsprings are shaped by hand and take ten times longer to produce than a traditional hairspring. Luckily, Moser can count on its sister company Precision Engineering AG to craft the cylindrical hairspring, fusing a traditional feature of yesteryear marine chronometers with an ultra-modern skeletonised watch.

A translucent domed dial at noon delivers the hour and minutes and sports the signature blue colour that marks the Moser and Alpine Motorsports partnership. Made of synthetic spinel that is difficult to machine, the see-through blue sub-dial offers excellent legibility thanks to the Super-LumiNova coated indices and the Globolight inserts on the hour and minute hands. The same blue colour extends to the rubber strap accompanying the watch with its steel folding clasp.

While there is no trace of branding on the dial side, Moser’s name appears on the openworked gold rotor and the polished caseback. Powered by the brand’s manufacture HMC 811 skeletonised calibre, the movement has a bidirectional pawl winding system, beats at 21,600vph, and delivers a minimum 74-hour power reserve.

Availability & Price

The Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine is a limited edition of 100 pieces and retails for CHF 89,000 (incl. tax). For more information, please visit h-moser.com.