H. Moser stirs up the pot once again with a watch that pivots from its high-end mechanical roots and provides an entry level alternative. The watch is cased in a Streamliner like case, has complicated functions, but is driven by a quartz movement specifically developed for the Schaffhausen watchmaker. We got a preview of the watch pre-embargo, and here are our honest thoughts and review.
Introducing the most accessible H. Moser | Comprehensive Review of the Off-Grid
The H. Moser Off-Grid has a retail of CHF 3,900 before tax / SGD 7,000 with GST for both models – Ref. 6DI0-1202 and Ref. 6DI0-1205. Each reference is limited to 1,000 pieces.
The case, dial and hands
The case looks rather similar to the Streamliner case architecture, though Moser is careful not to identify the collection as such. But the proportions, the shape and blueprint is taken from the Streamliner. This is genius, as the Streamliner is such a beautiful case design, with purity of the lines, the sensuousness of the curves, and the near perfect proportions offer a wonderful base for this novelty. Two versions of the case are available. Both in 42.6mm steel and both with PVD coatings. One is with a black PVD and the other in a blue PVD.
The Off-Grid is special. It offers a departure from the classical Moser High-End mechanical roots. And provides a different route to the so called horological nirvana. But it is by no means new. It first appeared as a set in the Streamliner Alpine – Drivers and Mechanics Pink Editions released earlier this year. The Mechanics version is the same watch in a pink colourway. But instead of a Race Mode which is useful for F1 mechanics, the Off-Grid is geared for the jet-setter (more of that later). This digital display is an LCD panel which is integrated to the open worked dial and looks amazing.
The rest of the dial carries a sub-dial showing the HM indication in an analog display. This sub-dial carries the famous Moser fumé gradation on it. With our review sample is the black PVD case model, and this dial is magnificent! It goes from a gradation of brilliant from red to black. While, the blue PVD cased model from a grey to black. The hands on this sub-dial are the usual Moser designed hands, and carry ceramic blocks filled with SuperLumiNova. The bar indices for the hour markers are also the same lume filled ceramic blocks.
And for travel, the Off-Grid features multi-timezone support with a country selector covering all time zones. It also has a split-seconds chronograph display up to 1/100th of a second. The perpetual calendar is synchronised to the set timezone is also able to display on the LCD screen the sunrise and sunset times. A beautiful moonphase indicator (shown above) which updated hourly can also be shown. The watch also has a vibrating alarm and a timer, both set and indicated by the digital display.
The movement
The movement is the D10 caliber which is developed for Moser by Sequent. This movement is the exact same movement used in the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Pink Edition, but is programmed differently. Instead of race notifications, the movement is programmed for travel.
Travel mode is selected by the 9 o’clock pusher to engage “OFF-GRID” mode. This enables the multi-timezone selection by city with sunrise and sunset times displayed, calculated to within 1.5 minutes. It also carries a handy dictionary of 10 words in 21 languages. The Moser documentation does not describe the connectivity features, and we did not ask when exploring the actual watch, but the specs do state iOS and Android compatibility via Bluetooth Low Energy, so presumably the watch can be set by your smart phone.
How does it wear on the wrist?
On the wrist, the 42.6mm case feels much smaller than the dimensions suggest. As usual, on my 180mm flat wrist, it sits comfortably. The case hugs the curves of my wrist very nicely. The case also feels thinner, due to the design.
Pricing notes
This is the most accessibly priced watch offered by H. Moser. Their closest entry-level lineup is the Pioneer Centre Seconds starts at about USD 16k. However, the Pioneer is equipped with an in-house mechanical movement, whereas the Off-Grid comes with a quartz movement, albeit one which is developed especially for Moser. And thus at SGD 7k, the Off-Grid is a new entry into world of Moser.
Competitive Landscape
If we survey the landscape for a similar watch – a quartz powered high end watch with analog and digital displays, we will come up short. There are few direct comparisons. At a similar price point, however, The Citizen Chronomaster provides an interesting contrast. Both are about SGD 6-8k depending on the dial and case options for The Citizen. The Citizen is available in Duratech Super Titanium, and the dial is a special Japanese handmade washi paper. The movement is also perpetual calendar but no moonphase or chronograph. It is powered by light, while the Off-Grid is more conventionally battery powered. Horses for courses, so not really a direct comparison, except for the same pricing ballpark.
Concluding thoughts
The watch is magnificently beautiful. And words or photographs only portray part of its innate beauty. It wears well. It looks wonderful on the wrist. And the features, are well thought out, programmed for the traveller in mind.
At CHF 3.9k, the Off-Grid occupies a completely different position from Moser’s traditional mechanical watches. Yet it retains enough of the brand’s design language and obsessive attention to detail to feel unmistakably Moser.
H. Moser Off-Grid Specifications
| Reference | * Reference 6DI0-1202, steel model with blue PVD treatment, Blackor fumé dial, integrated white rubber strap, limited edition of 1000 pieces * Reference 6DI0-1205, steel model with black PVD treatment, Red fumé dial, integrated black rubber strap, limited edition of 1000 pieces |
| Case | * Steel with white or black composite, topped by a slightly domed sapphire crystal * Diameter: 42.6 mm * Height: 14.4 mm * Push-buttons at 2, 3 and 4 o’clock * “OFF-GRID” push-button at 9 o’clock for travel mode * Sapphire crystal case-back with Moser hallmark * Water-resistant to 12 ATM |
| Dial | * Skeleton dial with digital display * Small Blackor fumé or Red fumé dial at 12 o’clock with H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer * Super-LumiNova® ceramic indexes * Super-LumiNova®-filled hands |
| Movement | * Calibre D10 developed with SEQUENT for H. Moser & Cie. * Width: 32.50 mm; Length: 33.90 mm * Height: 6.90 mm * Frequency: 32,768 vibrations/second * Accuracy: ±0.3 seconds per day * 186 components * Power reserve: 12+ months in time display-only mode; or 6+ months with combined use including GMT display and 30 days of alarm function use; or 3+ months use with GMT display, 30 days of alarm function and 4 hours of chronograph use * Digital display at 6 o’clock * Display: Hours and minutes (analogue) + digital functions (via module) * Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.3) * iOS & Android compatible |
| Functions | * Hours and minutes * GMT with country selector for all time zones * Split-seconds chronograph displaying 1/100th of a second * Perpetual calendar * Perpetual moon phase updated every hour and programmed for the next 100 years * Sunrise and sunset times calculated to an accuracy of one minute thirty seconds and programmed for the next 100 years. * Vibrating alarm * Timer * “OFF-GRID” mode with quick country selection and a dictionary of 10 words in 21 different languages |
| Strap | * Integrated white or black rubber strap * Steel pin buckle with blue or black PVD treatment, engraved with the Moser logo |
Moser Off-Grid FAQ
The 42.6mm case wears smaller than its dimensions suggest. On a 180mm wrist, it sits comfortably and hugs the wrist well, with the case design making it feel thinner than the 14.4mm specification suggests.
Both versions retail at CHF 3,900 / SGD 7,000. Each version is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.
The movement is the D10, developed by Sequent specifically for H. Moser. It is also used in the Streamliner Alpine Mechanics Edition, but with different programming for the Off-Grid’s travel-oriented functions.
The Off-Grid combines analog hours and minutes with digital GMT, a split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phase, sunrise and sunset times, vibrating alarm and timer. It also includes an Off-Grid mode with quick country selection and other travel-oriented features.
