Limited to 100 pieces, the new model merges the Chinese lunisolar calendar with the solar-based Gregorian calendar while also featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and moon phases
Time, as a concept, has always fascinated humanity. The endeavor to master it has led to the development of various calendars based on the celestial movements of the sun, moon, or both. The Gregorian calendar, used worldwide, is purely solar, while the Chinese calendar, rooted in millennia of cultural tradition, combines lunar and solar elements to track time more accurately. This amalgamation of solar and lunar influences in the Chinese calendar, referred to as a lunisolar calendar, is pivotal in the realm of Chinese agriculture and traditional culture. It is a complex and ancient system, a testament to the meticulous observations of nature that has been refined over centuries. With the Endeavour Chinese Calendar Limited Edition, H. Moser & Cie. pays homage to this rich tradition, bridging the gap between Western horology and the intricate world of Chinese lunar calendars.
This limited-edition masterpiece, produced in just 100 pieces, is a true technical marvel, merging the intricate Chinese lunisolar calendar with the solar-based Gregorian calendar while also featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and moon phases. What sets this watch apart is its astounding ability to operate flawlessly for 12 years without any manual adjustments, demonstrating a harmonious union of two distinct cultures and their unique timekeeping methods. The Endeavour Chinese Calendar Limited Edition displays Chinese lunar months, Gregorian days, moon phases, and the associated Chinese zodiac signs for each year. The Chinese lunar calendar comprises 12 months, each with 29 or 30 days to align with the lunar phases, resulting in a lunar year of approximately 354.36 days, nearly 10.88 days shorter than the solar year’s 365.25 days. This inherent disparity in lengths is why lunisolar calendars occasionally introduce an “embolismic” 13th month to realign with the seasons. The Endeavour Chinese Calendar Limited Edition effectively accounts for this phenomenon, making it the first movement to operate seamlessly within this 12-year cycle without external intervention. Two synchronized cams are employed to transmit information about the number and duration of Chinese lunar months, embolismic months, the Chinese lunar year, and the corresponding zodiac animals, moon phases, and Gregorian dates.
At the heart of this exceptional timepiece lies H. Moser & Cie.’s HMC 200 automatic in-house movement, combined with a module developed by Agenhor SA. Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie., described this collaboration as a synergy that resulted in an elegant and refined watch, bridging the gap between traditional Chinese culture and contemporary Western aesthetics. Unlike other models on the market that tend to be overly complex, difficult to read, and feature an exclusively Oriental design, the Endeavour Chinese Calendar Limited Edition’s minimalist and elegant appearance sets it apart, promising to transcend borders and cultures, uniting aficionados of beauty and precision at once.