Hy Moser & Cie. 14kt

Case Material: Gold

Weight: 115 g

Case Shape: Round

Movement: Manual Wind

Chronograph: Yes

Place of Origin: Switzerland

Period: Early 20th Century

Date of Manufacture: 1920's

Condition: Excellent Wear consistent with age and use.

Hy Moser & Cie antique 14kt yellow gold quarter-repeater full hunter case keyless pocket watch.

The watch features an engine-turned design with a plain cartouche shaped like a shield on the front, surrounded by circle and scrolls in the centre.

The watch is a closed type, the front cover opens when the button on the crown is pressed. Inner cover in gold, signed Hy Moser & Cie,.

On the outer lids the hallmark is 14K 0.585, squirrel, and number 66139.

Details:

Country: Switzerland

Circa Date: 1920's

Case size: 52 mm

Case Nr. 66139

Style: Full Hunter, Quarter Repeater

Material: 14K Gold

Decorations: Engine Turned

Dial Colour: White

Dial: White enamel

Numerals: Roman Numerals

Hands: Filigree Hands

Dimensions:

Size: 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.2 cm

Weight: 115.50 grams

Condition: The watch is pre-owned, excellent condition overall.

The History

Henry Moser & Cie, often referred to as the 'Russian Swiss' company, was founded by Johann Heinrich Moser in Le Locle, Switzerland. Recognizing a vast market opportunity in Russia, the Co. strategically directed all its production efforts toward catering to the Russian market.

Johann Heinrich Moser, born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, hailed from a family of watchmakers. He honed his craft in Le Locle before relocating to Russia in the 1820s. Setting up a watch workshop in St. Petersburg in 1826, he adopted the anglicized name 'Henry Moser.' By 1828, Moser had established a trade office in St. Petersburg, expanding to Moscow in 1831. He even secured a residence permit for Nizhny Novgorod. Through the Nizhny Novgorod fair, Moser's watches found their way from Russia to India and China. Components were sourced from Le Locle and assembled in St. Petersburg. Some watch cases and dials were crafted in Moscow, evident from inscriptions like "H. MOSER IN MOSCOW."

Moser's factory produced a diverse range of pocket watches for men and women, featuring various materials and styles, including gold, silver, and steel cases, with winding keys, knobs, and chronographs. Their high-end gold repeater watches, chiming for minutes and quarter hours, were particularly luxurious. Watches were branded based on the mechanism used, with specific inscriptions indicating quality. Notably, Carl Faberge sourced superior Moser watches for his jewellery works.

The Co. also crafted wall clocks and regulators in oak and walnut Art Nouveau-style cases, alongside mantel clocks made of black marble and onyx, adorned with gilded bronze and zinc decorations.

The popularity of 'H. Moser' pocket watches led to counterfeits, prompting the Co. to issue warnings. In 1913, Moser's Co. earned the title of the official Supplier of the Imperial Court, endorsed by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

In 1868, Moser collaborated with American Florentino-Ariosto Jones to establish the 'International Watch Company' (IWC). This endeavour, along with Swiss firms Omega and Longines, pioneered industrial watch production in Switzerland. Moser's contribution included building a hydro-powered station, a revolutionary move at the time.

While Moser passed away in 1875, his legacy endured. The IWC continues to thrive under German ownership, and in 2005, the Hy Moser & Cie factory was resurrected in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Today, it produces luxury watches inspired by the original vintage Moser designs, ensuring the timeless heritage lives on.

See Description