H. Moser & Cie sends up Apple Watch with $30,800 mechanical clone

Credit: H. Moser & Cie

Like the original, the new Swiss Alp Watch is a mechanical timepiece crafted in a way to mimic — and satirize — Apple's digital smartwatch. It features a similar rectangular design, curved edges, and a crown on the side. The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade does, however, feature a few new touches.

Under the hood, the Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is fully mechanical and features the watchmaker's own hand-wound Calibre HMC 324 with a 96-hour power reserve. Its case is DLC-treated stainless steel.

To mimic the OLED display of an Apple Watch, the watchmaker has coated the dial in Vantablack — the darkest artificial substance ever made that absorbs up to 99.6% of visible light. There's also a seconds display that apes the watchOS and iOS loading symbol but is fully mechanical. H. Moser & Cie used a series of apertures with a small seconds disc painted in a white gradient to achieve the look.

As with the original Swiss Alp Watch, the Final Upgrade is meant to poke fun at Apple and smartwatches.

"No updates required, no lousy autonomy, no unnecessary features, no annoying notifications, just the only reminder you ever really need: To disconnect from all the noise and cherish each and every moment," the watchmaker's description reads.

H. Moser & Cie Swiss says that only 50 pieces will be produced, and each will be priced at $30,800.