This Year’s Greatest Hit: Pandamonium 🐼
Watch & Bullion
11 September 2023 | 6 min read
Table of Contents
When Swiss watchmasters Maximilian Büsser of MB&F and Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie. collaborate, the watch world stops to listen.
As the driving forces behind two of Switzerland’s most respected independent watch brands, the duo’s joint efforts never go unnoticed.
Following on from their immensely successful previous collaboration, Max and Edouard both wanted to repeat the experience in aid of the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy led by Only Watch.
Showcasing Sound with Time
They’ve stirred excitement with a minute repeater, an intricate timepiece complication. Here, they’ve laid out the complex chime mechanism right on the dial.
You cannot only hear but also watch the time dance. The dial? Stripped of any logos. Instead, it shines in a fresh Aquamarine fumé shade. And true to H. Moser & Cie.’s minimalist touch, the time is subtly presented by delicate leaf-shaped hands at 2 o’clock.
Enter the DJ Panda, Pandamonium
Named the H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium, this watch packs more than top-tier mechanics. It’s fun, too, in the way that only Max can put together.
The name of the model hints at chaos and disorder, but the real star? A miniature white gold panda DJ, hand-sculpted to perfection. Why a panda? It’s MB&F’s nod to childhood, wonder, and music. It’s a playful feature, reminding wearers to embrace joy and the unexpected.
The panda captures the essence of seeing the world through a child’s perspective, particularly those battling muscular dystrophy.
This isn’t the panda’s first gig, making its third appearance in 2023, this golden DJ invites onlookers into a world where beats transcend time, taking us to a place where the world is a better place.
It’s in the Details
Crafted entirely from white gold, every detail of this miniature marvel is hand-sculpted and adorned.
Right next to the watch’s hammers, this little panda appears to DJ the very soundtrack that unites MB&F and H. Moser & Cie.
The turntables are ingeniously mounted on the same axis as the hammers. And as the watch mechanism whirls, the panda’s turntables spin, mimicking a real-life DJ!
Now, let’s talk size. Standing only 5.35 mm tall, crafting this tiny treasure wasn’t easy. Every stage, from design to manufacturing, demanded endless hours of intricate work.
Skilled engravers spent days perfecting it. Then, jewellers stepped in, adding the final polish. And let’s not overlook the detailed painting that breathes life into this figure.
The complexity doesn’t end there. Look closely, and you’ll find elements scaled down to near-impossible dimensions.
The panda’s muzzle measures a mere 0.99 mm, and those turntables, adorned with a cute paw print, have an outer span of 1.75 mm, yet are incredibly just 0.35 mm thick.
The Heartbeat of the Timepiece
From the acclaimed Legacy Machine range comes a prominent feature: the large suspended balance wheel. It’s the star of the show, sitting right in the centre.
To Max Büsser, this wheel isn’t just a component. It’s the heartbeat of the watch, symbolizing the purest form of watchmaking.
But there’s more beneath the surface. The wheel boasts a double hairspring. And who’s behind this masterpiece? None other than Precision Engineering AG – the sister company to H. Moser & Cie.
What’s so special about these twin hairsprings? They work in perfect harmony. As they expand, they balance each other out. The result? Remarkable accuracy.
Every tick matches the tock, showcasing impeccable isochronism.
But these matched springs offer another advantage. They combat friction far better than a single spring would, further enhancing that consistent timing.
Watching the balance wheel in action is mesmerizing. But like everything else about this masterpiece, it wasn’t easy to craft.
Especially when it came to the gongs, these had to be expertly curved in two distinct places. Why? So they could seamlessly glide over the wheel’s bridge. One coil lies flat while the other hovers above, creating a layered effect.
Craftsmanship meets sound perfection.
Housed within a steel frame, the watch boasts a cushion-shaped case. What’s on top? A domed sapphire crystal that’s not just beautiful but functional—it stands strong against water up to 5 ATM.
Every curve and contour of this piece pays homage to the Streamliner collection.
There’s a unique feature: a sliding bolt it’s designed to kickstart the minute repeater mechanism. Thanks to a Teflon runner, the bolt glides seamlessly. And for optimal design efficiency, it’s nestled right into the main plate.
Let’s talk about the case’s centre. It’s been carved out, making room for the movement. This hollow space isn’t just about function; it’s a soundbox in disguise. The result? Amplified chimes every hour, quarter-hour, and minute.
And the magic behind the chimes? Two meticulously designed gongs and hammers. These hammers dance to the tunes of information fed by specific feeler-spindles.
Every angle of the case is a testament to the intricate design. The aim? Harness the power of steel.
Why steel? Its geometry is perfect for creating resonant sounds. Plus, steel bends less under pressure, making it sturdier than gold.
This strength helps it capture and amplify sound rather than letting it fade away.
Crafting the minute repeater mechanism was already a daunting task. But the real challenge? Tuning it to produce a sound that’s not just loud but clear, long-lasting, and absolutely pure.
More Than Meets the Eye
The movement used in this exceptional timepiece is the HMC 906 calibre. It’s not just any movement; it’s three-dimensional and hand-wound.
What’s special? It’s been thoughtfully skeletonised. This means you can gaze at its intricate components, witnessing the art and science of watchmaking.
But there was a challenge. Typically, such movements are encased from the bottom. Not this one.
The traditional method wouldn’t do it justice. So, innovation stepped in. The solution? A redesigned assembly concept.
Now, the calibre nestles in from the top, all thanks to a cleverly designed removable bezel. This isn’t just about aesthetics.
The bezel does two things: it offers a clear pathway for the calibre and subtly enlarges the case. Bigger case means one thing: richer sound.
Performance? It’s impressive, with 18,000 vibrations every hour and a steadfast power reserve of 54 hours.
But it’s not all about function. This calibre is a sight to behold. It showcases modern finishes: think anthracite grey rhodium-plating on its bridges and main plate. And for those in the know, it flaunts the signature horizontal double Moser stripes. Pure elegance.
In It Together for a Cause
Edouard Meylan sums it up perfectly: “This isn’t just a watch; it’s a blend of two expert visions. The H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium isn’t your everyday piece. Designed exclusively for Only Watch, it’s the epitome of unique— from its movement to its dial. And the best part? It’s all for a noble cause.”
Watch enthusiasts, collectors, and aficionados, take note. This masterpiece is bound to create waves in the world of Haute Horlogerie. And it’s not just about showcasing. This model will take the spotlight at the global Only Watch event, with the grand finale being the auction on 5th November.
Edouard Meylan and Max Büsser have a message: If you’re a lover of music and time, this is for you. Ready to dive into this symphony? Set, go, and mix!
All images for this watch have been provided under the copyright of MB&F