H. Moser & Cie and Formula 1’s Alpine are taking motorsports watches to a whole new, unexpected level
Tom Austin- H. Moser & Cie has revealed their latest pair of racing-inspired watches, in conjunction with their racing partner, Formula 1 team Alpine.
- The Streamline Alpine Drivers Edition is a mechanical chronograph, skeletonised to show off its Agenhor split-seconds calibre.
- The Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition combines mechanical and digital functions, developed in collaboration with Alpine F1 engineers.
Motorsports and watches have always had a deep connection, and with good reason, as a large proportion of watch enthusiasts also seem to have a penchant for things with wheels and engines, too. As such, it’s common for brands to produce automotive-inspired watches either by their own volition or in partnership with manufacturers. Regrettably, it’s even more common for these kinds of watches to fall into the trap of the car/watch stereotype by simply adding a splash of colour and making them out of titanium or carbon fibre. Sometimes, brands get this recipe right, like Tudor’s recent Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”; however, when you zoom out, they often miss the point of deeper collaboration. H. Moser & Cie is one such brand attacking this trope from a very different angle, with their recent partnership with Alpine Motorsports.
The first result of this ongoing alliance was the H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine from 2024, and this weekend past at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, their latest creations were announced: the Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition and the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition. The first model is a true horologically derived motorsports chronograph, as you would expect, while the Mechanics Edition is something completely different, developed with direct involvement from Alpine’s race engineers.
H. Moser & Cie x Alpine Motorsports Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition
The Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition is a skeletonised, futuristic flyback chronograph, designed with Alpine’s aesthetics and motorsport in mind. The stainless steel case is blue PVD-coated, matching Alpine’s brand colours, and features the UFO-like shape of the Streamliner, with softly squared-off polished sides contrasting the radially brushed upper face. At 42.3mm in diameter and 14.2mm thick, the proportions are chunky, but, like many watches in this category, subtlety is not a high priority.
A screw-down crown and domed sapphire crystal provide the watch with 120 metres of water resistance, allowing for a post-race cool-off in the ice bath without any issues, even with the large chronograph pushers. The strap is also safe for that, as it comes complete with a white rubber strap integrated into the case shape, and a blue PVD-coated steel pin buckle.
The Alpine theme runs deeper than just a colour scheme, with the skeletonised dial featuring stylised bridges inspired by the suspension systems of a race car. From the front, the design complements Alpine’s recent design language in their upcoming hypercar. Also, the rotor, unusually placed on the dial side of the watch, is a nod to the rims on the popular Alpine A110 sports car. Again, this is something we’ve seen before in watches, but it’s done tastefully here.
The unusual hands are finished in blue to match the case and feature striking Globolight inserts for legibility in the dark. These are paired with a blue central seconds hand and a polished chronograph hand, in line with the rest of the Streamliner chronograph range. Finally, the rest of the dial is finished with a dark grey outer ring, completing the hours and minute tracks, and features an outer rehaut that doubles as a tachymetric scale. The result is a surprisingly legible chronograph, which is quite impressive considering the skeletonisation.
Behind the front-facing rotor, the self-winding Calibre HMC 700 sits in full view through the skeletonised dial, and is even more visually impressive when viewed through the sapphire case back. This skeletonised flyback chronograph movement was developed alongside movement magicians Agenhor, and features twin barrels to provide a 72-hour power reserve. It’s a well-executed chronograph column wheel chronograph, featuring a two-stage horizontal clutch and friction wheel to minimise jerking of the chronograph hand when operating. Finally, the movement features the signature 45° Moser stripes, and the bridges are finished in anthracite grey rhodium plating.
H. Moser & Cie x Alpine Motorsports Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition
The Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition is a stunning motorsports-themed chronograph, which you would expect from the brand. However, it is only available as part of a boxed set, paired with the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition, and this one is a significant break from the norm. The Mechanics Edition is a connected watch, and unlike a regular smartwatch, it utilises both mechanical and digital displays to act as a tool for race engineers. At 12 o’clock, you have the typical Moser mechanical dial, albeit smaller than usual, featuring a gradient blue finish and striking lumed hands and hour markers. Below, however, sits an LCD display offering motorsport-centric functions, such as pit alerts, race countdowns, GMT function, perpetual calendar, and a split-seconds chronograph.
The two functions of the watch operate together with a hybrid movement called the Calibre D10, developed in conjunction with Swiss brand SEQUENT, which specialises in mechanical watches with built-in digital activity trackers. It offers Bluetooth connectivity with iOS and Android, features a one-year power reserve in time-only mode, and includes vibration alerts to notify you when the next race is about to start.
The Mechanics Edition features the same Streamliner case design as the Drivers Edition, albeit in a slightly larger configuration, measuring 42.6mm in diameter and 14.4mm in thickness. Again, this model is in stainless steel; however, it lacks the blue PVD coating of its sibling. It is, of course, missing a crown, but instead has four push buttons to operate the digitally controlled movement and computer functions.
These functions aren’t just something cobbled together; they were, in fact, developed in conjunction with Alpine’s race engineers, selecting functions that would actually be valuable in a motorsports setting. While it may seem relatively arbitrary, this is undoubtedly an improvement in the overall theme of motorsports-derived watches. Although in this case, there are no activity tracking functions on the Mechanics Edition, perhaps with good reason, but it does seem like a missed opportunity for additional functionality. Finally, the watch is finished with a distinctive blue rubber strap, integrated into the case’s design and is closed with a steel pin buckle.
H. Moser & Cie x Alpine Motorsports Streamliner Alpine Drivers & Mechanics Editions pricing and availability
The H. Moser & Cie x Alpine Motorsports Streamliner Alpine Drivers & Mechanics Editions are available as a set, with the Drivers Edition limited to 200 pieces and the Mechanics Edition limited to 500 (the Mechanics Edition is also available for purchase by owners of the Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine). Price: CHF 59,000 (for the set)
| Brand | H. Moser & Cie x Alpine Motorsports |
| Model | Streamliner Alpine Driver & Mechanics Editions |
| Reference | Drivers Edition – 6700-1200 Mechanics Edition – 6D10-1200 |
| Case Dimensions | Drivers Edition – 42.3mm (D) x 14.2mm (T) Mechanics Edition – 42.6mm (D) x 14.4mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel – blue PVD coating on Drivers Edition |
| Water Resistance | 120 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Drivers Edition – skeletonised Mechanics Edition – gradient blue and LCD display |
| Bracelet | Drivers Edition – white rubber with blue steel pin buckle Mechanics Edition – blue rubber with steel pin buckle |
| Movement | Drivers Edition – Calibre HM700, Agenhor produced, automatic Mechanics Edition – Calibre D10, SEQUENT produced, hybrid mechanical and digital |
| Power Reserve | Drivers Edition – 72 hours Mechanics Edition – one year in time-only mode |
| Functions | Drivers Edition – Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph Mechanics Edition – pit alerts, split-seconds chronograph, GMT, perpetual calendar, race countdowns |
| Availability | Drivers Edition – limited to 200 pieces Mechanics Edition – limited to 500 pieces |
| Price | CHF 59,000 (set price) |