H. MOSER & CIE. Crosses New Horizons
It was a great step forward for H. Moser & Cie., the first Manufacture to have carried out tests in weightlessness and hyper-gravity on its movements and escapements during the first Swiss parabolic flight on September 22.
Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie., led the tests on board the Airbus that made the first Swiss parabolic flight, with assistance from sister company Precision Engineering AG. These tests were possible thanks to the team at Witschi Electronics as well as in-flight support from their engineer Johannes Mayr.
Meylan oversaw tests on various escapements to determine their behaviour in extreme weightlessness and hyper-gravity. This included an amplitude test on escapements including an original Straumann Double Hairspring®, a paramagnetic hairspring and variants of hairsprings with a Breguet overcoil.
Other movements included in the flight were measured for analysis after the flight, and a set of movements tested for stability that will equip a new series from H. Moser & Cie. “The tests we made fall within the framework of advanced research conducted by our sister company, Precision Engineering AG,” said Meylan. “Precision Engineering tests include those for new materials in escapements and hairsprings, as well as different hairspring end-curves, varying frequencies and lubrication. We test for shock resistance, magnetic fields, and in extreme temperatures, as well as for other characteristics, to ensure the stability of our components.”
As members of Moser Watch Holding AG, H. Moser & Cie. and Precision Engineering AG are known for their exceptional watches and regulating organs. Like H. Moser & Cie. which produces only 1,200 watches a year – Very Rare -, Precision Engineering AG specializes in very special mid and small series of hairsprings. With a production of 50,000 regulating organs per year, Precision Engineering AG is a major player in the watch industry and provides customized solutions.
Meylan added: “The tests and the pioneering work we have done today will enable us to improve the stability and quality of our timepieces as well as their isochronous performance. These results will guide our continued research, an ultimately help us achieve several patent applications. The data and experience gleaned during this experience will enrich our development process for regulating organs.”
