For its partnership with the Alpine Formula 1 team, H. Moser & Cie. debuts a pair of firsts for the brand: the Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition is its first skeletonized chronograph, and the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition is an entirely new model and the brand’s first true smartwatch – not counting the Swiss Alp Watch – with special digital functions tailored to the needs of an F1 team.

While the regular production Streamline Flyback Chronograph already has a racing aesthetic, it’s been dialed up to match to the Alpine team colors, with the blue-coated steel case being notable. And the digital Streamliner is more than just a commemorative watch. Most Formula 1 sponsorships are just that, but Moser decided it wanted to contribute a tool the team can rely on during the season, just as mechanical watches were decades ago. Both will be sold as a set, though the smartwatch will be available individually to owner’s of the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton “Alpine”.

Initial Thoughts

Nothing is off the table for Moser, whose past “concept” watches included a watch made from a cheese-filled composite, one covered in living plants, and the infamous Swiss Icons watch. Even with that in mind, a smartwatch is unexpected, though it makes sense given the brand’s stated goals with the collaboration.

Referring to the smartwatch, Chief executive Edouard Meylan says “we wanted to create a measuring instrument that meets the demands of a Formula 1 team, a device designed to accompany their missions and further improve their race against the clock, their quest for every precious second,” which can’t be achieved with a mechanical wristwatch that costs tens of thousands of dollars. Despite the “connected” movement from an external partner, the Mechanics Edition is still a true Streamliner that complements the Drivers Edition well.

The Drivers Edition, on the other hand, is basically the Streamliner chronograph in new livery – but the open-worked dial is different enough to give the watch an entirely different look. Besides aesthetics, the open dial also reveals the clever construction of the movement, which conceals the automatic rotor below the dial.

Drivers Edition

Both watches will be sold as a pair, limited to 200 sets priced at CHF59,000. In comparison, the standard Streamliner chronograph in steel with a conventional dial is priced at CHF45,000.

However, another 300 Streamliner smartwatches will be made. These will be available individually to owners of last year’s Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine, and will also be issued to members of the Alpine Racing team.

The Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition is a skeletonized version of the brand’s Streamliner Flyback Chronograph. The ability to reset the chronograph while running is especially useful in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 racing.

Naturally, this version is in blue and white Alpine team livery. Specifically, the case is stainless steel, with a blue PVD treatment that’s also been applied to the buckle for the white rubber strap.

Made by Agenhor, a movement specialist that Moser part owns, the HMC 700 movement uses a dial-side winding rotor, which is now on full display. It’s also been given an anthracite finish, which pairs well with the automatic aesthetic.

According to Moser, the idea of an open dial came from the drivers at Alpine Motorsports themselves. The hands and dial use Globolight, essentially solid blocks of luminous material, which improves legibility. The V-shaped struts are inspired by the suspension of an F1 race car, while on the back, the central bridge is in the likeness of a racing helmet.

Mechanics Edition

The Drivers Edition is all well and good, but it isn’t very useful to the team. Moser chose to develop a second watch in parallel that would serve as a tool for the team, rather than a luxury for fans. The result is the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics edition, a smartwatch developed with help from Sequent, a Swiss smartwatchmaker. The brand claims that, unlike other connected watches, this one is made to last and won’t be e-waste in the next few years.

The “ana-digi” display combines an analogue dial similar to that found in the brand’s Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon with a discreet digital display that vanishes in standby mode.

On full charge, the watch will run in standby mode, with the screen off, for a year. But accessing the many additional features brings the power reserve down to around six hours. These include a 1/100th of a second chronograph, GMT/world timer, and perpetual calendar.

The F1-specific features, which require a Bluetooth connection, are more task-specific and include a schedule of upcoming races, race countdown, and push notifications with vibration.

Key facts and price

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition
Ref. 6907-1200

Diameter: 42.3 mm
Height: 14.2 mm
Material: Blue PVD stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 120 m

Movement: Cal. HMC 700
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and flyback chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Integrated white rubber strap

Limited edition: 200 pieces
Availability: Now at H. Moser & Cie. retailers
Price: CHF59,000 before taxes

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition
Ref. 6DI0-1200

Diameter: 42.6 mm
Height: 14.4 mm
Material: Steel with blue composite
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 120 m

Movement: Cal. DI0
Functions: Hours, minutes, Bluetooth, chronograph, GMT with country selection, perpetual calendar, Race mode
Frequency: 32,768 Hz
Power reserve: One year in standby mode, about six hours screen on time

Strap: Integrated blue rubber strap

Limited edition: 500 pieces
Availability: Paired with Drivers Edition

For more, visit h-moser.com