Beyond the ‘Final Upgrade’, this one-off edition (to be auctioned in Shanghai during Watches & Wonders) represents the true shutdown of Moser’s irreverent Swiss Alp collection
When Moser CEO Ed Meylan announced the discontinuation of the brand’s Swiss Alp earlier this February, it coincided with the launch of what was ostensibly the ‘Final Upgrade’ in the eponymous series — a haute horlogerie satire of the ubiquity of smartwatches that has become a cult favourite amongst fans of independent watchmaking since its debut in 2016. This being peak season for new releases (and the month of fools to boot), we should have known that Moser had one last ace up its sleeve.
Moser today announced that it will be auctioning off a unique Swiss Alp from 14-18 April in Shanghai. The timing coincides with the Chinese leg of Watches & Wonders — the FHH’s annual showcase of luxury watch brands that traditionally takes place in Switzerland. Following a successful debut on the West Bund in 2020 — despite stringent social distancing measures and dampened enthusiasm among consumers — the event is back again in physical form, providing the ideal backdrop for public bidding on Moser’s most sardonic Swiss Alp to date.
In association with Chinese e-comm giant Jingdong, all proceeds from the sale of the ‘Infinite Reboot’ will be donated to The One Foundation: a Shenzhen-based NGO (founded in 2007 by martial artist Jet Li) working principally in the areas of disaster relief, child welfare, and professional training. As of 2020, the organisation has spearheaded a variety of charitable initiatives assisting some 28 million people in China and Asia. According to the auction’s thematic web-page, the proceeds of the ‘Infinite Reboot’ will principally be used in the development of recreational children’s parks throughout rural areas of Mainland China — focusing on musical, literary and athletic education.
As for the watch itself? Well, it’s horological Jim Carrey — a watch that commits so fully to its comedic premise that one can’t help but admire the sheer audacity despite a lapse in function. Inspired by “the limits and dangers of digitisation”, the ‘Infinite Reboot’ takes aim (albeit abstractly) at all the ways in which smart technology has kidnapped our time, and beyond its playful execution serves as a poignant reminder to us that it could indeed be time for a complete ‘reboot’. The Vantablack dial is devoid of anything resembling a conventional time display, with no handset; digital numbers; or calendar indications to speak of. Instead, one is only vaguely aware of time’s “inexorable passage” by way of the ‘progress ring’ shaped small seconds at 6 o’clock — first introduced in the ‘Final Upgrade’. The ‘Infinite Reboot’ remains powered by the in-house calibre HMC324 — still manually-wound and hand-finished, now even more symbolic in its evocation of time.
Specifications
H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch Infinite Reboot
Reference number: 5324-1206
Case size: 38.2 x 44.0 mm
Thickness: 10.3 mm
Material: Steel with black DLC coating, Vantablack® dial
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: None
Movement: HMC 324 Manufacture calibre
Functions: Offset small seconds at 6 o'clock, displayed as a disc Power reserve indicator on movement side
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 18,000 Vib/h
Power reserve: Minimum 96 hours
Strap: Hand-stitched black alligator leather
Availability: 1 of 1
The H. Moser Swiss Alp ‘Infinite Reboot’ will be offered at an initial estimate of RMB¥238,000, with bids to be placed via JD.com. The auction will run between midnight, 14 April-7pm, 18 April (CST).