H. Moser & Cie won the “Audacity Prize” at the 2020 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).
GPHG Audacity Prize is given to the best watch with an extraordinary approach, which is against the general acceptance of the watchmaking world, contains incompatible elements. Hence, different approaches in haute horology are also rewarded in order to encourage creative audacity.
One of the extraordinary works came from the world of haute horology, similar to the collaborations we have seen frequently in the fashion world in recent years, and this partnership brought an award.
It could be more effective that looking directly at the clock more than words: H. Moser & Cie. is emphasizing a one-minute flying tourbillon that rises above the main dial through a ventricular opening appearing at 12 o’clock.
However, there is a third pillar of collaboration: H. Moser & Cie . is benefiting from the expertise of its sister company Precision Engineering AG, has equipped its tourbillon with a cylindrical balance spring, the same as that developed by Precision Engineering AG for MB&F’s LM Thunderdome. Invented in the 18th century, the cylindrical balance spring is reminiscent of a worm- or corkscrew, rising perpendicularly around the upper rod of the balance staff. Due to its specific shape, the cylindrical balance spring is far more difficult to produce and takes ten times longer to make than a traditional balance spring.
