The darkest substance known to man
The concept series features a range of incredible dials. Free of numbers, markers and even the brand itself, they’re left free to serve just one purpose: to make heads turn with their delicious artistry. We’ve seen a fresh burst of citrus, the deep blue fumé enamel—and now this, the darkest black.
Contained within the 40mm red gold Endeavour case, whose sculpted sides and polished finish represent the most elegant end of the Moser collection, this Endeavour Tourbillon Concept provides an unexpected combination of traditional and contemporary with the inclusion of the darkest substance known to man: Vantablack.
Vantablack: the wonder material
The evolution of a material previously developed by NASA, Vantablack isn’t so much made as it is grown, brought to life in a 750-degree inferno to form a textured surface that reflects only 0.0035% of the light that hits it. This wonder material uses a very straightforward principle to create its shadowy illusion, although the process to get it there is far from simple. What looks like a smooth surface is actually textured with incredibly small carbon nanotubes that trap the bouncing light, which gets caught up in a forest of microscopic tunnels. Virtually no light can escape, making the material look impossibly black.
Science meets craftsmanship
How do you make a carbon nanotube? Well, you use a plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition machine with a fluidised bed reactor that can generate the thermal catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons, of course. Something like the FirstNano ET3000 should do the trick. It’s right here on the dial of the Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack.
The challenges of creating a timepiece like this don’t stop with the manufacturing. The carbon nanotubes are impossibly delicate, and although they’ll happily resist heat and vibration, they cannot be touched or the effect will be ruined. That’s fine, once the dial is seated inside the watch—but getting it in there presented a whole new obstacle. H. Moser & Cie. had to develop a specialised process for handling the dials, applying the hands and fitting it all in the case without disturbing the light-catching lattice.
Science meets craftsmanship
You’ll notice deep within this black hole is another smaller hole. This is the mechanism that gives this timepiece the ‘Tourbillon’ part of its name. It probably isn’t a coincidence that the tourbillon is a complex mechanism designed to resist the accuracy-assaulting effects of gravity, much like a black hole — making it the ideal companion for this concept.
There’s so much gravity in a black hole, not even light can escape, not even the 0.0035% that slips through Vantablack’s nanotubes. The tourbillon achieves its noble goal by continuously rotating, so gravity affects all parts equally. It’s a bit like stirring soup so it doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pan. Keep it all swirling round and round and the result is nice, evenly warm soup.
This open-faced tourbillon reveals a twin hairspring, fabricated within Moser’s very own manufacture. If there was any doubt the tourbillon was giving its all in the fight against gravity, having two springs beating opposite each other further nullifies the directional effect of gravity.
Be the most interesting person in the room
Going up against the forces of gravity is the calibre HMC 804, a classically appointed calibre befitting the regal visage of the Endeavour collection. The gold winding rotor keeps it powered for a solid three days. This watch is really designed for anyone who wants to be the most well-appointed but also most interesting person in the room at any formal occasion. The sleek, discerning silhouette of the Endeavour will take care of the first part and the dial, with its light-sucking capabilities, will deliver on the second.
Choose the dark side
If you’re looking to enjoy some of the finest and most complex watchmaking in a distinguished form factor set with one of the coolest dials ever created, then you’re definitely going to find yourself gravitating towards the Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack. And really, it begs the question: why wear something boring when you could be wearing this instead?
