In all forms of manufacturing, some brands are higher on the food chain than others, creating better products, marketing, and overall brand image, leading to higher success than others in the same competitive space. However, in all competitive spaces, some brands are held on a much higher pedestal, creating works of art mere mortals can’t fathom, and don’t require the same level of marketing due to their legendary status. In the world of watchmaking, the first two brands that come to mind are MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. Two horological powerhouses with decades of experience creating mechanical works of art and pushing the boundaries of physics, energy and what’s possible when it comes to creating a beautiful timepiece. For Only Watch, both MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. have teamed up to create a stunning horological marvel, the H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium.
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— MB&F
“Baptised the H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium, it features a minute repeater complication led by a miniature DJing panda, a creature that has become the signature of the Only Watch creations by MB&F. At the heart of the Streamliner’s case is a three-dimensional movement that has been developed specifically and exclusively for Only Watch.”
Let me give you a rundown for those unaware of the Only Watch auction. Only Watch is a biennial charity auction created by Luc Pettavino; the world’s best and most sought-after watch brands create and donate a one-of-a-kind timepiece to be auctioned off to raise money for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. Luc’s son Paul was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2000 at the age of four, which lead to Luc’s to raise money for research to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. The first Only Watch took place in 2005. Paul passed in 2016, and the Pettavino family would continue Only Watch to raise funds to find a cure and carry on Paul’s legacy, which started this beautiful auction and the beautiful community of passionate collectors and watchmaking artisans.
I may be biased and have expressed my deep, passionate love for anything Max Büsser and MB&F create, and the Streamliner Pandamonium is no exception. On August 30, 2023, Max Büsser and Edouard Meylan (CEO and Owner of H. Moser & Cie.) announced their second collaboration through the H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium for the Only Watch charity auction. I can’t begin to express how this watch made me feel, as it’s not only a watch but also a piece of wearable art with the aesthetics of a vintage sports car and something out of a sci-fi movie.
The case and integrated bracelet design come from the iconic H. Moser Streamliner collection, featuring a beautifully rounded cushion case—a nod to 1920s automotive designs. The main goal of the Streamliner collection was to combine minimalism with contemporary elegance and clean complexity, and it hit the nail on the head perfectly. From the case to each bracelet link, the level of finishing is exquisite, and it’s all done by hand. However, the case needed to be modified slightly to fit specific design and mechanical elements and change the overall acoustics of the case to bring pure clarity and sound from the partially skeletonized, hand-wound three-dimensional HMC 906 Manufacture Calibre minute repeater, which can be seen floating about the stunning Aquamarine fumé dial.
What many will find unique is the implementation of the panda DJ sculpture at 10 o’clock and its purpose. The name references “pandemonium,” a situation of wild, noisy disorder and confusion, which can be said about most neurological disorders. The “e” would be replaced with an “a” to fit the panda theme from previous MB&F panda releases.
“Each Only Watch creation is an opportunity for MB&F to see things through the eyes of the children, more specifically those suffering from muscular dystrophy. Our original panda was created as an allegory for Only Watch 2011, and returned in 2021, before now making its third appearance in 2023. This time, it is an invitation to immerse yourself in the world of music and lose all touch with reality for just a few beats.”
— MB&F
Specs
| Engine | Partly skeletonized, three-dimensional hand-wound HMC 906 Manufacture calibre Balance wheel: specific model with a diameter of 14 mm, equipped with four traditional setting screws, floating above the movement Diameter: 33 . 0 mm or 141 / 2 lignes Height (excluding balance wheel): 10.55 mm Frequency: 18,000 vibrations/hour 37 jewels 395 components Power reserve: minimum 54 hours Straumann® double hairspring Bridges and main plate with anthracite grey rhodium-plating Horizontal double Moser stripes on the plate and bridges Movement and components hand-finished and decorated Functions: Hours and minutes Minute repeater with hour, quarter-hour and minute chimes Large balance wheel suspended above the dial |
| Case | Steel topped by a slightly domed sapphire crystal Diameter: 42.3 mm Height with sapphire crystal: 17.0 mm Height without sapphire crystal: 12.7 mm Sliding bolt with runner made from Teflon Screw-down crown, adorned with a panda paw print See-through sapphire crystal case-back Water-resistant to 5 ATM |
| Dial | Aquamarine fumé dial with sunburst pattern Hammers and chimes on dial side Micro panda sculpture in white gold decorated entirely by hand, with turntables and mixing desk, at 10 o’clock Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands at 2 o’clock |
| Bracelet | Integrated steel bracelet Folding clasp with three steel blades, engraved with the Moser hallmark |
The H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium is stunning both internally and externally and is a fantastic example of two watchmaking powerhouses coming together to create something breathtaking for such a beautiful cause. The H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium is Lot #28 for the Only Watch auction. You can check out the auction on November 5, 2023, by clicking here.
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About the Author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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It’s a Stunner on the Grail side 🙌🏽📸👍🏽😎