H. Moser & Cie

Heinrich Moser was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland on December 12, 1805.[5][14] He learned the basic watchmaking craftsmanship from his father, and continued his studies in Le Locle, Switzerland after 1824.[14] In 1828, he founded the original H. Moser & Cie in St. Petersburg, Russia.[1][4][5]

In 1848, Heinrich Moser returned to his hometown of Schaffhausen and established a watch factory there to supply his business.[1][8][14] Notable clients of H. Moser & Cie at the time included Russian princes and members of the Russian Imperial Court.[5][7] In particular, Vladimir Lenin also owned a Moser watch. Heinrich Moser died on October 23, 1874, and the company was sold since none of his heirs was willing to lead the business. [7]

In 1953, H. Moser & Cie continued its business in Le Locle where it produced its first wristwatches.[1][8] But due to the quartz crisis, H. Moser & Cie became a part of the Dixi Mechanique Group and the original brand name was dropped, becoming "Hy Moser & Cie".[1][9][10]

In 2002, Moser Schaffhausen AG was founded by Dr. Jürgen Lange, together with Heinrich Moser's great-grandson Roger Nicholas Balsiger.[1][9][11] In 2005, the company established a new Manufacture in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and H. Moser & Cie was formally re-launched as a trademark of the company.[1][15]

Since 2012, H. Moser & Cie has been owned by the MELB Holding Group of the Meylan family in Switzerland.[12][13] As of 2018, H. Moser & Cie. produces around 1,500 watches a year and employs around 55 staff members.[1][7][16]