H. Moser & Cie Opens Its First U.S. Boutique in Silicon Valley
- H. Moser & Cie has opened its first boutique in the U.S. in Silicon Valley, Menlo Park, California, with plans for more high-end watchmakers to follow suit in The Villa Menlo Park.
H. Moser & Cie has finally opened its first boutique in the U.S. The forward-thinking independent watchmaker is setting up shop in Silicon Valley in Menlo Park, California. Its boutique is said to be the first of many other high-end watchmakers that will open boutiques in The Villa Menlo Park at 500 El Camino Real in the Bay Area, which is being orchestrated and managed by Stephen Silver Jewelry .
The tech crowd has long had an appreciation for Moser watches. Even when the watchmaker poked fun at the crowd when it released its Swiss Alp watch , a cheeky troll of the Apple Watch in which the case was designed just like the new age timepiece, but instead held a mechanical watch movement inside. "Silicon Valley has always been a key market for H. Moser & Cie," CEO Edouard Meylan told Robb Report . It is home to a community of forward-thinking individuals who appreciate independent brands, technical innovation, and disruptive approaches—values that resonate deeply with our philosophy. Menlo Park, in particular, offers the perfect setting for our first U.S. boutique: it is at the crossroads of technology, entrepreneurship, and luxury. The Villa Menlo Park, with its curated selection of high-end experiences, aligns perfectly with our brand's DNA, providing an immersive space where collectors can explore our timepieces in a refined and intimate setting."
More from Robb Report
To celebrate the new opening, this time Moser went the opposite direction with a boutique-only limited-edition 18-karat gold 40 mm Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton, where the timepiece's mechanical intricacies are on full display from front to back. Even the barrel is hollowed for a full view of the spring, which allows the owner to check that the movement has been wound correcty. Likewise, the solid gold is skeletonized, not just for lightness, but to offer an even more complete view of the inner workings of the timepiece. A one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock is powered by the calibre HMC 814, an automatic movement equipped with a Straumann® double hairspring—Moser is one of the few Swiss houses able to produce hairsprings in-house through its company Precision Engineering AG.
The boutique is equally pared down. Staying true to the brand's miminalist DNA, the space is entirely white except for panels of blue on the wall where the company's watches are suspended. Its lounge area, however, is decked entirely in cobalt blue carpet, banquets, and walls with white mid-century modern tables. It stands in stark contrast to The Villa Menlo Park's Spanish Colonial facade. But, then again, Moser has always gone against the grain and that may be just one reason why it's so beloved by the tech community. "The fact that we create highly technical yet understated timepieces, with a minimalist approach that places the focus on the essence of watchmaking, resonates strongly with this audience," says Meylan. "Additionally, our tone of voice, our authentic disruptive communication style and ability to challenge industry norms have made us a brand that speaks to entrepreneurs, which are legion in Silicon Valley."
Always a trailblazer—it's no wonder the brand has a watch aptly named the Pioneer —Moser will soon open its next boutiques in Seoul, Korea and New Delhi, India. The latter is a developing watch market that many companies have had their eye on, but few have established roots there yet. The company is wise to set up shop early in a country that already has deep ties to jewelry, so it's only natural watches would follow. "India is indeed an emerging and highly promising market for fine watchmaking," says Meylan. "While there are relatively few mono-brand boutiques from independent watchmakers in the country, we see a strong and growing community of collectors who appreciate exceptional craftsmanship and exclusivity. H. Moser & Cie. has been building a presence in India for several years, and we believe the time is right to establish a dedicated boutique. This move allows us to deepen our relationship with our collectors. In that sense, we may be among the pioneers, but we see this as an exciting opportunity to engage with a market that is evolving rapidly." We expect others will soon follow in Moser's footsteps in the region.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
