H. Moser & Cie. Serves Up Tantalum With a Side of Stone

The history of watchmaking is, in part, an exercise in material science. It might shock some to learn that stainless steel, what is now considered the most standard of case metals, was not used for watch cases until after World War I. Prior to the 1920s, watches were made from primarily precious metals, with silver in particular being much more prominent than it is today.

Over the last century, we have seen an explosion in the variety of case metals available to consumers. Titanium watches have become so de rigueur that even Rolex has gotten in on the trendy metal twice in the last six months, and bronze and watches have become, if not common, then at least familiar. One metal that has seen increased visibility in recent years is tantalum, a precious metal rarer than gold and notoriously difficult to work with.

H. Moser & Cie. has not, at least since the Meylan family took over the brand, shied away from playing with a wide variety of materials or finishing techniques. Recent models have made use of steel, titanium, tiger’s eye, gold and bronze – not to mention the brand’s experiments with Vantablack, a super-black coating that can absorb 99.965% of natural light.

Now, H. Moser & Cie. has expanded this exciting list of materials through the introduction of two very special stone dial variants of the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Tantalum, produced in partnership with Govberg Jewelers. Available with either a Jade or Lapis Lazuli dial, and cased primarily in tantalum, the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Tantalum builds on the success and desirability of Moser’s fully integrated perpetual calendar movement. The use of tantalum for the case lends a stunning blue-gray color to the finished metal while offering a high degree of durability.

Developed in conjunction with the standard production, both stone-dial variants feature a hand-wound HMC 800 Manufacture calibre movement, notable not only for the uncluttered dial it facilitates but also for a number of quality-of-life choices made by the brand. A 7-day power reserve means that your watch won’t soon stop, and even when it does, setting the watch is worry-free since the watch is settable at any time of day entirely from the crown – even between the dreaded 10 PM to 2 AM danger zone so many perpetual calendar owners fear.

The H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendars Jade and Lapis Lazuli both come equipped with a black Kudu strap – a leather that lends an elevated casualness to the watch, reinforcing the sensation that this is a perpetual calendar you could wear every day of your life. Each of the unique stone dials is complemented by simple and refined dial furniture, with elegant leaf-shaped hands and faceted double markers standing out thanks to a lovely high-polish finish. The H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar is also tremendously wearable, coming in at 42mm in diameter, 13.1mm thick and 48.5mm from lug-to-lug.