Has H. Moser & Cie. lost their minds? Come to think of it, probably not – releases like the new Streamliner Off-Grid series are right up their alley!
There comes a time in the watch industry when one believes they’ve seen everything. That proposition rapidly becomes more plausible with each passing watch, with each piece being more disruptive and innovative than the last. But with such a notion lies a paradox: how can one ever see everything when something completely different is right around the corner? That’s the sort of thought that must have been racing through everyone’s minds every time H. Moser & Cie. drops a new watch.
One of the biggest pioneers (no pun intended) in streamlining (again, no pun intended) the independent haute horlogerie scene, H. Moser & Cie. has established itself as both an exceptionally serious watchmaker and a brand that remains entirely unexpected in its movements. Whether it’s inventing a watch made out of cheese or collaborating with a microbrand like Studio Underd0g, they’re always looking for more interesting ways to tackle the watch industry.
Last year saw a hint of what’s to come with its ongoing partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team through the Streamliner Driver’s and Mechanic’s Editions. Though the Driver’s Edition showcased what most already knew about H. Moser & Cie’s horological chops, the analogue-digital quartz Mechanic’s Edition left many blindsided in the best way. Now, the brand seems to be investing a little more into this line of thinking with two new watches that have become standalone editions in the roster.
Streamlined Design
Meet the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Off-Grid, a new take on independent watchmaking that fully embraces state-of-the-art technology. Not quite a smartwatch but hardly a ‘dumb’ one, it’s the most delightfully outlandish infusion of digital time with the classic H. Moser & Cie. aesthetic. Compared to the rest of the Streamliner catalogue, the Off-Grid measures a large 42.6mm in case diameter with a 14.4mm thickness.
Normally, the lack of a reported lug-to-lug would make me want to claw the walls, but the Streamliner doesn’t exactly have any lugs to speak of. The pebble-shaped case will wear fairly compactly on most wrists, though it won’t slip under a shirt cuff any time soon. It’ll also wear lighter than your average Streamliner, as it lacks the majority of mechanical parts found in a traditional movement.
H. Moser & Cie. has released two references in the Off-Grid line in stainless steel, but with two different PVD finishes. The first is in blue, which accentuates the finishing of the case, while the second is a more demure black that enhances the sporty flavour. Only the nine o’clock pusher retains its original steel finish, but we’ll get to functionality soon enough.
The only other thing that changes between case colours is the colour of the rubber strap. The blue PVD edition uses a white integrated rubber strap, while the black justifiably uses a black one. Both terminate on colour-matching PVD steel pin buckles, so wear is as easy as it can get.
Surprisingly, where most luxury digital watches falter on water resistance, the Streamliner Off-Grid does not. With the same 120m water resistance rating as the rest of the Streamliner roster, it can tackle every environment its mechanical counterparts can, though perhaps with significantly less worry for its electronic parts than mechanical intricacies.
Red Pill, Blue Pill
When watch brands, especially luxury watch brands, enter the quartz-digital watch space, they often have to justify elements of the software and design in the context of their brand. This problem doesn’t exist with H. Moser & Cie., as its language is unmistakeable from any other in the industry.
Even the Streamliner Off-Grid models look and feel one-to-one with the brand’s catalogue, with openworked backdrops that give a sneak peek into the magic within. Something I’ve never really understood is why quartz and electronic-based watches are so hesitant to showcase their movements, so I’m glad that H. Moser & Cie. takes the same level of pride in the Off-Grid as it does its other watches.
Four bridges seemingly hold up the displaced dial, which is slightly convex, as is classic of such dials made by the brand. Available in either grey or red fumé, the brushed dials feature the familiar handset and indices, all filled with lume for optimum low-light legibility. Also visible, or perhaps more accurately invisible, is H. Moser & Cie’s iconic ghost logo, subtly engraved into each dial for those with an eye for detail.
The most intriguing part of the display, aside from the offset dial, is the six o’clock digital display. In a similar manner to the Mechanic’s Edition, the Off-Grid uses the screen to display its vast array of complications. Given the openworked case, it also contrasts extremely well against the electronics backdrop, making it all the more apparent that the Off-Grid is unique within the Streamliner collection.
Electric Boogaloo
Turning the watch around reveals an entirely unfamiliar sight, as there is no display caseback. Instead, it’s been replaced by H. Moser & Cie’s logo atop a magnetic charging pad for when the Off-Grid is not in use. This is what helps keep the new Cal. D10 up and running, which has about a one-year power reserve if the watch is kept on standby.
Which brings us to the million-dollar question of any watch of this kind: how do you use it? Well, it can be set up in one of two ways, either through H. Moser & Cie’s Off-Grid app or locally via the watch itself. Doing either is incredibly intuitive, thanks to the four buttons across the case that completely replace the crown. Where the crown usually is, the three o’clock pusher is your best friend, allowing you to set up and access almost all the complications offered in the Off-Grid.
After setting up your home region and two other regions of interest, the central pusher allows you to cycle through all the associated modes, including GMT, timer, alarm, chronograph, moonphase, sunrise/sunset and general settings. Once at the setting of your choice, the upper and lower pushers can be used to scroll or fine-tune each setting. I’d explain every complication in detail, but then we’d be here all day.
What sets the Off-Grid apart from most other ana-digi watches, besides not blowing up your wrist with notifications, is the nine o’clock pusher. This turns the watch into Off-Grid mode, where you can interact with up to six regions that you’ve elected either during setup or through the settings later on.
Using the top and bottom pushers, you can then cycle through each region to access the Off-Grid’s most novel feature: a 10-word essential dictionary for the region of your choosing, showing you both your home region’s word and the translation of the selected region. It’s a feature that I can’t say I’ve ever seen before, not even on smartwatches, and makes H. Moser & Cie’s new watch eternally helpful for the off-grid traveller, or the lover of languages.
Initial Thoughts
I’ve seen a lot of people debate the existence of this watch online over the week or so since it was announced. Opinions, understandably, are divided, particularly when it comes to the fact that a quartz ana-digi watch can reach such a price point.
However, this isn’t something entirely alien in the industry. Citizen, for example, is one brand that has elevated quartz movements to an incredible degree. And given H. Moser & Cie’s constant penchant for horological disruption, a release such as this is one that actually makes perfect sense.
But beyond the eternal surface-level battle of quartz versus mechanical, H. Moser & Cie’s Streamliner Off-Grid is incredibly unique in both industries. Not only does it take the very best features of the independent brand’s watchmaking to a more accessible degree than ever thought possible, but it’s also the brand’s clever distillation of every characteristic that makes smartwatches so revered in the technological mainstream, without the caveats.
In that sense, I have nothing but praise for this watch. I hope that the reception and absolute sell-out of the two Off-Grid timepieces keep the brand invested in the idea without intruding on its already incredible skillset.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 6DI0-1202 (Blue) 6DI0-1205 (Black) |
| Dimensions | 42.6mm case diameter x 14.4mm thickness |
| Case | Blue / black PVD steel |
| Dial | Openworked with black / red fumé offset dial & digital displays |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed |
| Movement | Quartz Cal. D10 |
| Battery Life | 1 year in standby |
| Functions | Chronograph (to 1/100th sec), GMT, perpetual calendar, sunrise/sunset indicator, vibrating alarm, dictionary (10 words in 21 languages) |
| Water Resistance | 120m / 12bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | White. black integrated rubber strap with blue / black PVDsteel pin buckle |