Minimalist and with excellent readability, which does not even look like a perpetual so much as the indications are 'discreet', the perpetual calendar from H. Moser & Cie. also distinguished itself by the possibility of correcting the indications at any time of the day.
Today, the company is presenting a new and exclusive version with a case made of tantalum, a very dense and extremely resistant metal whose surfaces, in contact with air, develop a thin layer of oxidation that protects the metal from aggression.
Tantalum has anti-corrosive properties, does not react with most chemicals and does not dissolve in acids. It is an extremely malleable metal alloy that is both hard and flexible and can be easily machined.
As Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie., explains, while it offers some interesting special properties, it is also a personal choice: 'When I was 18 years old, my parents gave me my first haute horlogerie watch, made of tantalum. Since then I have always dreamed of introducing this metal to H. Moser & Cie., despite the challenges involved. It took more than two years of trials before we managed to polish the surfaces of our case, a feat few are able to perform as most prefer to sandblast or satin-finish tantalum.
The new Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Tantalum Blue Enamel also employs a special dial in translucent Grand Feu enamel with a hammered texture, the colour of which is defined by the manufacturer as Abyss Blue. The displays show the instantaneous date at 3 o'clock, the month in the centre with a small hand indicating the months in place of the hour markers, and the power reserve at 9 o'clock.
As is customary for the brand, noticeable is the absence of the H. Moser & Cie logo. The leap year cycle is indicated on the back side, which opens to view the IWC-manufactured HMC 800 calibre, mechanical with manual winding.
Price75,000 Swiss francs.