With a history going back to 1828, when it was first founded in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg by Schaffhausen native Heinrich Moser, it’s fair to say that the modern company which continues to bear his name is steeped in the traditions of classical watchmaking, while being contemporary pioneers in innovation, and, thanks to its uncompromising approach to horology, design, quality and exclusivity, today’s H. Moser & Cie. has established itself as one of the most progressive and notable obsessively Swiss manufacture watch companies of our time, and a connoisseur brand for the collector who insists on traditional watchmaking at its highest standards, yet prefers a touch of the eclectic for individuality.

The result of a philosophy that often challenges the accepted norms of watchmaking, its uniquely distinctive collections are the essence of reserve, sophistication and style. In every aspect and in each little detail, the standards of workmanship are superb, and with the H. Moser & Cie Venturer Small Seconds XL Cosmic Green, once again the brand’s signature cues fuse tradition with cool modernity in a piece of austere virginal aesthetics, colour and head turning beauty.

A 43mm case of polished 18Kt white gold is superbly proportioned; its rounded contours flowing gracefully, the cupcake shaped crown neat, and a narrow bezel offering an edge to edge expanse of gently domed sapphire crystal, beneath which the time is displayed in hours, minutes and small seconds on a remarkable dial of immaculate simplistic purity.

It’s completely bereft of any unnecessary distractions; not even allowing for the one universal constant on any watch face of a brand logo, the shapely hands are long and elegant, and apart from the slender batons which indicate the quarter hour, and the recessed small seconds subdial, its stunning Cosmic Green dial with graduating fumé finish seems almost naked, and in its very lack of features, the effect is striking. Combined with the light brown kudo leather strap, with green inner lining, the overall impression is one of contrast of texture and the restrained minimalist style.

Inside beats Moser’s manufacture calibre HMC 327 manual winding movement, which is entirely created in house. Viewed through the sapphire caseback, the surface of the movement plates painstakingly hand decorated in Côtes de Genève are revealed, signed off with gold H. Moser crest and detail. The rubies are bedded in mirror-polished chatons, and at its heart is Moser’s own regulating organ and balance with Straumann hairspring.