Just released by H. Moser & Cie at Dubai Watch Week 2021 is the new Heritage Bronze “Since 1828” limited-edition watch. A nod to the brand’s 200-year history and massive success in pre-revolution Russia, the Heritage Bronze has the brand logo done in Cyrillic just like the Venturer XL Stoletniy Krasniy watch from a couple of years ago. I am fairly certain this is Moser’s first bronze watch, so it will be interesting to see how any patina develops on these 50 pieces that will be released as e-commerce exclusives via Moser and Seddiqi.
The last release from Moser was also in its Heritage collection, so I suspect the brand has noticed strong demand for these vintage-style pilot watches. The Heritage Bronze comes in the aforementioned bronze case that measures 42mm-wide and 11.1mm-thick with a Blackor fumé dial similar to that found on the very first Streamliner. Judging from the photos, the combination of the warm bronze case and that mellow fumé dial seem made for each other, don’t they? The nice wire lugs and coining on the sides of the case band add another touch of artisanship, as well.
The most compelling aspect of the Heritage collection has always been those attention-grabbing applied Globolight numerals that glow like three-dimensional sculptures on the dial. The sword-shaped hands are also lumed, not to mention the perfect length. Though I didn’t go hands-on with the Heritage Bronze, I have handled several watches in this collection, and they are by far some of the most legible pieces Moser produces.
From the steel caseback (you don’t want a bronze caseback, as it can stain/discolor skin) you can see the manufacture HMC 200 movement. Moser’s go-to movement for its time-only watches, the HMC 200 is an in-house caliber that features a bi-directional pawl winding system and Straumann Hairspring. It’s also got the signature double-crested Moser stripes and engraved rotor done in tungsten. Operating at 21,600 vph, the HMC 200 has a 72-hour power reserve.
The H. Moser & Cie Heritage Bronze “Since 1828” comes on a textile strap, which is quite fitting for this watch. I don’t think Moser will have too much trouble moving the very limited run of 50 pieces of the Heritage Bronze, especially when considering how unusual (even for a Moser!) the combination of a bronze case with the Cyrillic logo is. Available exclusively online via Moser or Seddiqi, the Heritage Bronze “Since 1828” is priced at $19,700. You can learn more at h-moser.com.