What’s the difference between this and a H. Moser & Cie Heritage Centre Seconds?
You know that old joke? (Plagiarized mercilessly from a recent Watchfinder video.)
Q: What's the difference between a billionaire and a millionaire?
A: About a billion dollars
So, what's the difference between this and a H. Moser & Cie Heritage Center Seconds? About $28k.
I fell in love immediately when I saw this:
But, you know… $28,500 (on Chrono24) is a lot of money!
So, I started looking at this, instead:
But, you know… $7,400 MSRP is a lot of money!
So, I ended up getting this, instead:
It’s a Chinese rep of the Zenith Type 20 - you know, a fake! I’ll often buy fakes from China, just to try out a watch on the wrist for a few weeks, to see if I really like it or not, before committing to buying the real deal. Funny thing is, as far as the case and dial are concerned, Chinese reps are so good at this point, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the fake and the real deal. Only if you interact with the crown / movement is there then some sort of giveaway. But, even then, the Chinese have gotten so good at movement manufacturing that when it comes to “super reps,” especially for Rolexes and Omegas, even an enthusiast might have a hard time telling.
Anyway, the watch sucked. It’s 45mm diameter and 15mm thick! And it feels it too! So, I gave it to my cousin, who I really don’t like all that much.
Then, the clouds parted, rays from Heaven shone down… @BRSEvolve does custom mods! I asked him if he’d be willing to build a pilot’s watch for me that looked like the Moser Heritage Centre Seconds. @BRSEvolve then...
- Took an Orient Flight Automatic
- Replaced the hands with beautiful cathedral hands
- Replaced the dial
And… voila!
All for a criminally low price! It’s beautiful in my book!
Given all that, I personally have a hard time understanding the value proposition on offer from Moser. I mean, Mr. Talking Hands always goes nuts over Moser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCBAmYjIz4U
- Moser does EVERYTHING in-house, and that’s a HUGE deal… but so does Seiko
- Okay, but the Moser is finished to a much higher degree than the Seiko… but, to a higher degree than Grand Seiko?
- So, if you want everything in-house - down to the jewels and the hairsprings - and great finishing and a mechanical movement, you could pay $28,500 for the Moser or $4,600 for this SBGW279 or $5,400 for this SBGW289… not to mention the plethora of hi-beat GS’es or spring drive
So, what’s the ultimate value proposition behind H. Moser? I think it’s gotta be its uniqueness amongst Swiss watchmakers, its heritage, and its brand, right?
https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/watches-and-culture/partner-brands/brand/s/h-moser-cie/
H. Moser’s are incredibly rare (1,200 produced per year), incredibly high quality, and Moser is synonymous with haute horology combined with a sense of humor, right? That’s, without question, worth a lot of money. I mean, genuinely, who else is going to be able to make these, just to troll everyone else?
Is it worth that much money, just to be one of the cool kids? Maybe so! It’s all relative, yeah? I guess if I made as much money (and were as good looking) as Charlie Sheen, and if I were in his shoes, I’d probably get a Moser to burnish my reputation!
So, given all that, would you get the H. Moser Heritage Centre Seconds? Or would you be happy with a @BRSEvolve Pilot’s Watch?
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
Or you could buy this:
Or if cathedral hands are necessary, this:
But, that being said, @BRSEvolve did a great job on your watch.
i might be blind or crazy but i like @BRSEvolve orient design more than the h moser that you mentioned. i can't stand the h moser logo on that dial, it fells odd, not to mention the $28500 price tag but thats a relative subject. if i may suggest you to change the orient stock crown to the onion style crown and it would be perfect pilot watch 👍
also which is cheaper the mod orient or the zenith replica?
Hands down your modded one is way cooler but I was thinking of these…
I think you made the right choice, having that modded watch is objectively better. I also think any watch over ~$500 is over priced so, may not be the best judge.
This really is the same question from my high school days, just with watches instead of clothes.
Were Girbaud jeans or OP tees THAT much better than Wranglers or K-Mart?
Oh no, the tritium tubes on that Ball are horrendous - kill it with fire. I’ve flagged that one before - it’s a glow in the dark watch that I would never wish to see glow in the dark. It’s like someone gave a squirrel an Etch-a-sketch.
Before I read the original post I said price. The answer is always price. Then if it is if give a f***. Most of the time, that’s the end of the thought process. I think this watch is too contrived - it’s trying to look ancient and as a result just looks like costume jewellery, like it complements some steampunk costume that also costs ridiculous money and you would wear once a year on your anniversary when you and your partner pretend you live in Rapture and dance to 20s music and drink cheap gin.
So… I’m on the fence
Oh no, the tritium tubes on that Ball are horrendous - kill it with fire. I’ve flagged that one before - it’s a glow in the dark watch that I would never wish to see glow in the dark. It’s like someone gave a squirrel an Etch-a-sketch.
Before I read the original post I said price. The answer is always price. Then if it is if give a f***. Most of the time, that’s the end of the thought process. I think this watch is too contrived - it’s trying to look ancient and as a result just looks like costume jewellery, like it complements some steampunk costume that also costs ridiculous money and you would wear once a year on your anniversary when you and your partner pretend you live in Rapture and dance to 20s music and drink cheap gin.
So… I’m on the fence
wait so your saying you ❤️ Tritium tubes 😂
wait so your saying you ❤️ Tritium tubes 😂
Between this and not seeing the display, I’m happy using my phone at night.
The rebuild is amazing, well done.
also which is cheaper the mod orient or the zenith replica?
The mod orient was cheaper!!!
Thanks for the shout glad you're enjoying it!
I can only say if I’ll ever get myself a Moser, it definitely won’t be this model
Hruodland makes a decent version of this watch, the XZ01. And then, there is Mysterious Code...
i might be blind or crazy but i like @BRSEvolve orient design more than the h moser that you mentioned. i can't stand the h moser logo on that dial, it fells odd, not to mention the $28500 price tag but thats a relative subject. if i may suggest you to change the orient stock crown to the onion style crown and it would be perfect pilot watch 👍
Yeah, the H. Moser is... too legible? Is that a thing? I get that it's supposed to be a pilot's watch. But, at 42mm diameter, and no text on the dial, it somehow looks way too big!
Good post,it's always been the case of spending x thousands but in reality how much exactly are you getting extra for all the extra cash,ok exclusivity maybe. In most things it's a case of dimishing returns, and in yours your getting a lot of pleasure out of something that's cost a fraction of the price. And in the end its about pleasure and you've got something exclusive, great mod by the way.
Maybe @foghorn can tell us about it: https://www.watchcrunch.com/foghorn/posts/kuoe-watch-kyoto-4794
They look like crazy value, and value isn't something that I am set to recognize.
Planning to get a Kuoe very soon. 😉
After a few months of owning my only concern is how to pronounce Kuoe. I just call it the little green one.
Mine has the hacking version of the Miyota 821 series which is surprisingly accurate. I believe some have had a Seiko NH35 which is also a suitable "budget" movement . Worth every penny.
The box/bag/straps/papers
The caseback
The little green one on a 7 1/4 inch wrist
Planning to get one very soon, bud! 🍻
Sign me up for the Orient mod!
I love Moser for the troll jobs like cheese watches or mechanical Apple Watches, also the wacky tourbillion and Vanta black styles. All are astronomically out of my price range.
.. but that dull eyed ‘Center seconds’ ? Ewe 🐑. Why bother to mention it has a Center seconds? Isn’t that like bragging the watch has a band or a case?
Anyway, If you spent moser level money on that dishwater design I’d feel very sad.
So, 100% the mod is a win. 🏆
An aside: since you’ve pronounced your love of GS divers I find myself not hating those weird catherdral hands anymore.
I love Moser for the troll jobs like cheese watches or mechanical Apple Watches, also the wacky tourbillion and Vanta black styles. All are astronomically out of my price range.
.. but that dull eyed ‘Center seconds’ ? Ewe 🐑. Why bother to mention it has a Center seconds? Isn’t that like bragging the watch has a band or a case?
Anyway, If you spent moser level money on that dishwater design I’d feel very sad.
So, 100% the mod is a win. 🏆
An aside: since you’ve pronounced your love of GS divers I find myself not hating those weird catherdral hands anymore.
GS divers...
Can you share pictures of your Mosers??? I think they are an absolutely amazing and innovative brand. I love the story. I love the craftsmanship. Unfortunately, I've yet to see one in person!
I'm on the road but will do so later this week when I get home. The hardest to photograph is the vanta black. That event horizon, dark-as-my-soul-before-coffee dial is hard to capture. The most fun to photograph is my husband's perpetual calendar. The leap year indicator is just superb!
I'm on the road but will do so later this week when I get home. The hardest to photograph is the vanta black. That event horizon, dark-as-my-soul-before-coffee dial is hard to capture. The most fun to photograph is my husband's perpetual calendar. The leap year indicator is just superb!
Awesome! Can't wait!
I'm on the road but will do so later this week when I get home. The hardest to photograph is the vanta black. That event horizon, dark-as-my-soul-before-coffee dial is hard to capture. The most fun to photograph is my husband's perpetual calendar. The leap year indicator is just superb!
You’ve got a Vanta??!! 🤩🤯😍
My science section of brain orgasms thinking about carbon nanotubes tiny infinity of pillars that capture and kill photons.
I imagine only bummer is the need for a crystal above it. slightly ruining the the star eating black hole on your wrist.
I’m sure pix don’t do it justice - so please visit Vancouver BC sometime with your watch 😉😀
You’ve got a Vanta??!! 🤩🤯😍
My science section of brain orgasms thinking about carbon nanotubes tiny infinity of pillars that capture and kill photons.
I imagine only bummer is the need for a crystal above it. slightly ruining the the star eating black hole on your wrist.
I’m sure pix don’t do it justice - so please visit Vancouver BC sometime with your watch 😉😀
This is one of the best shots I've gotten. Direct Texas sunlight and you can see how the jet black DLC case turns grey in the sunlight but the dial stays pitch black. When I tell people about this watch, I explain that it's an essay on gravity. The tourbillion was invented around 1795 to combat the effects of gravity on a watch mechanism and this dial which absorbs 99.936% of visible light is the darkest thing in the universe outside of a black hole which is black because of it's dense mass's gravitational pull on light. And THAT is why nobody talks to me at parties 😂. I am precisely that much of a nerd.
The Vanta is above, but the Swiss Mad may be my favorite since it's emblematic of the whole bad boy of high horology thing they have going on. But both have these gorgeous, sinuous cases and lugs that make them beautiful to look at from any angle. The calibers are absolutely stunning under a macro lens, too
This is one of the best shots I've gotten. Direct Texas sunlight and you can see how the jet black DLC case turns grey in the sunlight but the dial stays pitch black. When I tell people about this watch, I explain that it's an essay on gravity. The tourbillion was invented around 1795 to combat the effects of gravity on a watch mechanism and this dial which absorbs 99.936% of visible light is the darkest thing in the universe outside of a black hole which is black because of it's dense mass's gravitational pull on light. And THAT is why nobody talks to me at parties 😂. I am precisely that much of a nerd.
Amazing! I've not seen Vantablack in person, but have read a ton about it. Would LOVE to see this in real life!
The Vanta is above, but the Swiss Mad may be my favorite since it's emblematic of the whole bad boy of high horology thing they have going on. But both have these gorgeous, sinuous cases and lugs that make them beautiful to look at from any angle. The calibers are absolutely stunning under a macro lens, too
Hilarious that they have that cap!!! I love it!!!
This is one of the best shots I've gotten. Direct Texas sunlight and you can see how the jet black DLC case turns grey in the sunlight but the dial stays pitch black. When I tell people about this watch, I explain that it's an essay on gravity. The tourbillion was invented around 1795 to combat the effects of gravity on a watch mechanism and this dial which absorbs 99.936% of visible light is the darkest thing in the universe outside of a black hole which is black because of it's dense mass's gravitational pull on light. And THAT is why nobody talks to me at parties 😂. I am precisely that much of a nerd.
Brilliant.
100% on the yin / yang of the vanta and a tourbillion. No need to tell time on this one, it's all about looking into the void (and having it glance at you).
Also bonkers to think that case is a DLC - looks like a light grey beside the dial. Love it.
Guess that watch will be a grail project for me.... maybe when I sell my house someday!
The Vanta is above, but the Swiss Mad may be my favorite since it's emblematic of the whole bad boy of high horology thing they have going on. But both have these gorgeous, sinuous cases and lugs that make them beautiful to look at from any angle. The calibers are absolutely stunning under a macro lens, too
Eye of Sauron... and subtle enfant terrible! - I also love this one.