Heinrich Moser was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 1805. Both his grandfather and his father were watchmakers of the highest calibre. Heinrich was the beneficiary of their rare knowledge, quickly becoming an expert watchmaker in Le Locle. It did not take long for his unique artistic skill to earn worldwide respect. At the young age of 21, he set up his own watchmaking business. In 1828, Heinrich’s entrepreneurial spirit directed him to St. Petersburg, where he established H.Moser & Cie. The company’s rare and extraordinary conceptions were quickly gracing the wrists of Russian princes and Imperial Court members. Movements were even sold to various companies, most of Faberge’s table clocks were completed with movements that originated at H.Moser & Cie.

In 1829, Heinrich constructed a factory in Le Locale, a centre of Swiss watchmaking excellence, to ensure the quality of the watches that had his name. At just 43 years old, he returned to Schaffhausen, an affluent watch manufacturer. Here, he contributed to the industrial growth of the area. His pioneering attitude and entrepreneurial zeal fuelled him to also devote time to many other fields in addition to operating H.Moser & Cie. The most regarded of these was the completion came in 1864, when he completed the largest dam in Switzerland at the time, located on the Rhine near Schaffhausen.