On April Fools’ Day last year, H. Moser & Cie. published a doctored image of a watch with an all-black dial missing hands, a riff on its watches with blacker-than-black dials. The hoax watch turned into something of a hit, which has led to the latest trio of limited editions, the Vantablack Black Hands – which will also be available online directly from the brand.

All three watches – ranging from a stainless-steel base model to a limited-edition tourbillon – feature dials coated in Vantablack, a high-tech coating that absorbs almost all incident light – making it extremely and almost absolutely black – matched with black-coated hands. Because the coating on the hands is more of a dark grey, and also glossy, the hands do actually stand apart from the dial, appearing to be suspended in nothing because the dial is so black.

The Endeavour Tourbillon with the reflection being on the crystal, rather than the dial

Venturer Vantablack Black Hands XL in steel

Invented by a spin-off from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, Vantablack is made up of carbon nanotubes arranged vertically, like a surface covered in really fine fur. The carbon nanotubes absorb 99.965% of incident light, resulting in a surface that resembles a deep, dark hole, which is an quirky and strangely appealing finish for a watch dial.

Even though other substances are even blacker than Vantablack – with the record held by an MIT invention from 2019 –  Vantablack is the best-known blacker-than-black coating, with sculptor Anish Kapoor buying the exclusive right to use it in art and BMW coating an entire SUV. H. Moser & Cie. is one of just two watchmakers using Vantablack to coat dials, the other being MCT.

The top-of-the-line model in the new line-up is the Endeavour Tourbillon Vantablack Black Hands, which is also the only limited edition amongst the three.

The tourbillon is entirely executed in shades of black, with the 42 mm case being steel coated in black diamond-like carbon (DLC). The hands and flying tourbillon seem to float on the dial, with the Vantablack surface appearing to recede into nothingness.

It’s powered by the HMC 804, an automatic movement with a flying tourbillon regulator and a three-day power reserve.

HMC 804 with a 22k gold rotor

Far more affordable is the Venturer Vantablack Black Hands XL. It’s a large 43 mm wide, but in steel and powered by the HMC 327, a hand-wound movement with a three-day power reserve.

Made in-house by Moser, the movement has a power reserve indicator on the back, along with a Straumann hairspring, fabricated from a patented alloy produced by the dental implant giant that was once Moser’s sister company.

The XL model in steel

Powered by the same movement, but packaged in a smaller, 39 mm case in 18k white gold is the Venturer Vantablack Black Hands. It’s essentially the same thing, but in a precious metal case, and consequently a little bit more expensive.

The Venturer 39 mm in white gold

Key facts and price

Endeavour Tourbillon Vantablack Black Hands
Ref. 1804-1206

Case diameter: 42 mm
Case height: 11.6 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: HMC 804
Features: Hours, minutes, and flying tourbillon regulator
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 3 days

Strap: Alligator with Folding buckle

Limited edition: 50 pieces
Availability: Direct from H. Moser & Cie. online or its authorised retailers
Price: US$69,000

Venturer Vantablack Black Hands XL
Ref. 2327-1213

Case diameter: 43 mm
Case height: 11.9 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: HMC 327
Features: Hours and minutes
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Winding: Hand-wound
Power reserve: 3 days

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: Direct from H. Moser & Cie. online or its authorised retailers
Price: US$26,600

Venturer Vantablack Black Hands
Ref. 2327-0222

Case diameter: 39 mm
Case height: 11.9 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: HMC 327
Features: Hours and minutes
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Winding: Hand-wound
Power reserve: 3 days

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: Direct from H. Moser & Cie. online or its authorised retailers
Price: US$27,600

For more, visit H-moser.com.