Simon Blum

Moser Chronicles—Family—Team— Simon Blum

24 May 2023

Simon maintains Moser’s impeccable standards–from the hundreds of individual, unique parts to the final finishing touches. Guardian of our watches’ inner lives, he’s a bit like a conductor, directing an orchestra of components and ensuring every single piece is beautiful both inside and out.

What does ‘very rare’ mean to you?

Moser is a small company, but we make a huge variety of components to a very high standard, using a wide range of processing technology. Every employee works on different steps of the process, and every team member is an expert in his or her field. That, to me, is very rare.

What makes Moser’s production staff so good at what they do?

The absolute determination to achieve the best possible results, always. It’s remarkable.

The achievement you’re most proud of?

The variety of components we are able to cover… we make nearly every single one… Also, next year will be my tenth year at Moser, and in every one of those years we’ve made such progress–I am very proud of how our department has evolved.

What is the greatest ‘component’ challenge you face day to day?

My biggest challenge is for the component to look good–whether polished or matte, in the right places. For instance, the cage wheel of the Tourbillon attracts a lot of attention, so it has to be impeccable, both technically and aesthetically.

You play a large role in making Moser watches so beautiful–what’s the most important part of that process?

The ‘Moser Polish’ is the famous (almost) final step in the process… it’s really an aesthetic process, just before the coating and the cleaning… but when it comes to Moser watches, aesthetics are essential!

What’s a Day in the Life like?

I’ve been Head of Component Production since 2014, and I have a team of 5 people. We mill, work on surfaces, wind, clean, finish… the list goes on! We produce around 320 components for the perpetual calendar alone– but also plates, bridges, handles, springs, cylindrical pins, screws…

The most precious component in your repertoire?

The most valuable material we use is rosé gold. When we work with this material, there’s no room for ‘rejects’… and then we also pick up all the microscopic shavings and recycle them!

What do you love about your job?

The fact that my role is so diverse. I have administrative tasks, technical tasks… I get to work on the machines myself, so I do understand them quite well. And I get to work with such a talented team of people.

And, finally, your favourite Moser watch?

I love the Pioneer Tourbillon… the case design is simple, but to me it’s the strongest, most pleasingly masculine design. Also, I probably like it even more because I got to work on the components myself!

Pioneer Centre Seconds Spiced Aqua

A striking turquoise dial that demands your attention. A flange that comes alive after dark. A flawless white strap. The Pioneer Centre Seconds Spiced Aqua runs on our exceptional HMC 201 automatic calibre. Clean, precise and unapologetically bold, this is a timepiece that exudes chromatic cool. Three hands, zero compromise.

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One of only 60 Spring-Masters in the world, you might imagine Stephan Christ would be somewhat ‘tightly-wound’. In fact, his impressive patience is the stuff of legend. Stephan takes precision to the next level, tuning the details of the details and minutiae so fine you’d think his fingers were made by fairies. But don’t be fooled–mention ‘dust’ and you’ll see a sterner side of Mr. Christ.

History

Chapter Four – Keeping the Legacy Alive

In Chapter Four, we discuss what a time-travelling Heinrich would make of Moser’s revival, and the world of Swiss watchmaking today. Mr. Balsiger explains why Social Responsibility is a watch-word both behind the scenes and on the public stage at Moser. And why a timepiece covered in moss is making headlines. You can also catch up with Chapters One to Three here. 