H. Moser and Massena LAB collaborate on the mid-century Moser-inspired Endeavour Chronograph Compax
Borna Bošnjak- The Moser x Massena collab takes the shape of a modular chronograph that turns Moser’s minimalism on its head.
- With a 41mm steel case, the Endeavour Chronograph Compax is powered by a Moser in-house base combined with a Dubois-Dépraz chrono module.
- The release is limited to 100 pieces, priced at US$27,600.
What do you get when you put together a renowned collector with a particular penchant for old-school chronographs, and a brand leveraging its heritage to create minimalist modern pieces that at times verge on flippant? Looks like we finally have the answer to, admittedly, a niche question, thanks to H. Moser & Cie and Massena LAB joining forces to create the Endeavour Chronograph Compax. For William Massena and his brand, collaborations form an essential part of the business, and those are not just about a new dial colour. While H. Moser has recently dipped its toes into collaborative waters with Studio Underd0g, the new Endeavour Chronograph Compax becomes the brand’s only non-Streamliner chrono model, which is a big deal.
While the dial colours of the Studio Underd0g collab were clearly inspired by the British brand’s usual takes on food watches, the Endeavour Compax Chrono is all about the inversion of Moser’s usual minimalist aesthetic, whilst staying true to brand’s codes with the funky blue. The sunburst and fumé finish gets noticeably darker towards the edges, where you’ll find dual scale that’s rather unusually denoted with “kilomètres à l’heure” instead of the more common “tachymeter” and its variations.
To those who prefer their “compax” chronos referred to correctly, you’ll be happy to hear that Moser and Massena indeed call this watch as a “compax”, with its dual-register layout featuring small azurage sections in the sub-dials.
But simply plopping its most recognisable colour onto a dial and calling it a day isn’t quite the usual Moser style, especially given the very serify, old school script logo and decidedly non-minimalist dial. So to bring that twist we’ve come to expect from Moser’s usual irreverent self, all the dial printing is decked out with lume, including the logo and tachymeter scale.
The Endeavour Chronograph Compax might be inspired by mid-century Moser chronographs, but its steel case certainly isn’t sized like them. With a 41mm diameter and 13.3mm thickness, it won’t wear like a vintage watch. Comparing it against a time-only, automatic Endeavour with the base HMC 200 calibre (11.2mm in height), the added 2mm of thickness from the chrono module is not too shabby.
Having said that, just like the funky dial, this is in line with Moser’s modern ethos, as there’s only one watch in the brand’s entire collection that sits below 40mm. This is also true in regards to the silhouette of the case, that despite the 1950s inspiration, it appears quite brawny, especially in the shape and width of the lugs, and the thickness of the concave bezel.
I mentioned in the introduction that this will be the brand’s only non-Streamliner chronograph model, and as it’s not using the phenomenal Agengraphe movement, it meant that Moser had to find a different solution. The brand landed on using one of its standard, in-house automatic calibres as the base movement, the newly updated HMC 200, and adding a Dubois-Dépraz chronograph module on top, calling it the HMC 220. As a result, the caseback view is pretty much identical as that on a three-handed Endeavour, which means you get a pretty handsome view, though with no stand-out hand-finished features.
Where the movement is impressive is the specs. The two-sided balance bridge holds a Straumann hairspring-equipped balance, which combine to offer excellent shock-resistance. The balance itself beats at a leisurely 21,600vph, which no doubt helps out the three-day power reserve.
As a package, the price is quite steep considering this is a steel, modular chronograph watch. But when you realise that it’s actually within a couple of hundred dollars of Moser’s time-only Endeavour models, it makes it look all the more compelling.
H. Moser & Cie. x Massena LAB Endeavour Chronograph Compax pricing and availability
The Endeavour Chronograph Compax is a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price: US$27,600
| Brand | H. Moser & Cie x Massena LAB |
| Model | Endeavour Chronograph Compax |
| Reference | 1220-1200 |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13.3mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | N/A |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Funky blue fumé |
| Strap | Brown kudu leather, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | HMC 220, in-house base with Dubois-Dépraz module, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, chronograph |
| Availability | 100 pieces |
| Price | US$27,600 |