H. Moser & Cie says it is proud to join the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by creating two limited edition watches.
It has launched the Pioneer Centre Seconds and the Pioneer Tourbillon “CURE ALS” in support of ALS research at Duke.
Established in 2001 by Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, the Duke ALS Clinic is one of the largest and most comprehensive ALS care centers in the world.
Part of Duke’s Department of Neurology, Bedlack and his team provide multidisciplinary, compassionate care for people with ALS and are committed to finding better treatments—and ultimately a cure—for this devastating disease.
Comfortable and designed for everyday wear, the Pioneer collection by H. Moser & Cie., features an audacious and contemporary design with references to the industrial world.
Its pioneering, adventurous spirit shines through and is of special significance for these timepieces, which were designed in honor of Loy Stewart, a businessman local to Charleston, SC who owned Detyens Shipyards, one of the largest commercial shipyards in the world.
Loy was diagnosed with ALS in the early 2000s, after which he set out to find a cure for the disease. An inspiring entrepreneur and avid watch collector, Loy was ecstatic to work with his close friend, George Wendt, and H. Moser to design a watch to raise funds for a disease that robs too many of their mobility, speaking ability and eventually life.
George Wendt commented: “We are very excited for the H. Moser Pioneer “CURE ALS” timepieces. Loy unfortunately passed between design and production of the watch after a 19-year battle with ALS. This watch will help fund research at the Duke ALS Clinic and keep his legacy alive.”
While Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie, added: “We are honored to have worked with Loy and George on the design of the Pioneer “CURE ALS” timepieces,” says Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie. “Time is a precious, yet finite resource; we are thrilled to present these today to help find a cure for ALS.”
At the heart of the Pioneer Centre Seconds model, a limited edition of 15 pieces, beats the HMC 200 movement.
Designed, developed and produced entirely in-house, this calibre is equipped with a regulating organ manufactured by Precision Engineering AG, the sister company of H. Moser & Cie.
Decorated with the famous Moser double stripes on the bridges and plate, housing a large red gold oscillating weight, engraved on one of the references, the calibre HMC 200 is 100% Swiss, 100% Moser.
In the Pioneer Tourbillon model, limited to 5 pieces, the self-winding HMC 804 Manufacture calibre is visible behind the skeletonized bridge of the 60-second flying tourbillon.
Proceeds from the event will be directed to a permanent endowment providing for ALS research. If the amount of a gift reaches the level needed to fund a full professorship, this fund will support a professorship for a scholar in the field of neurology specializing in ALS in the School of Medicine.
The Pioneer “CURE ALS” timepieces will be available on a first come, first served basis.
In order to receive a Pioneer Centre Seconds, a minimum donation of $16,000 is required; in order to receive a Pioneer Tourbillon, a minimum gift of $55,000 is necessary.
