The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton

Two years ago, H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F teamed up for a collaboration piece. The result, the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon, was a true hybrid with a one-minute flying tourbillon rising above the signature Moser fumé dial at noon and a transparent sapphire dial displaying the time tilted at 40 ° at 6 o’clock, a nod to MB&F’s LM Flying Tourbillon. Protected by a pronounced sapphire dome, the tourbillon was equipped with a cylindrical hairspring made in-house by Moser’s sister company Precision Engineering AG. For 2022, Moser revisits its spectacular cylindrical flying tourbillon in a sturdier Pioneer case with a fully skeletonised movement revealing the in-house calibre HMC 811. The Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton represents the brand’s incursion into the skeleton watch segment with a decidedly Moser approach, combining a delicate and historic complication in a sturdy steel case from its Pioneer family.

Only one element obscures the radically skeletonised movement: the sub-dial at noon for the hours and minutes. In signature Moser style, the domed disc features a sunburst Funky Blue fumé decoration, and the indices are made of Globolight, a ceramic-based material with Super-LumiNova. The hour and minute hands also contain Globolight inserts.

The fully skeletonised movement (34mm diameter) is held in place by graceful arching bridges on both sides of the case treated with an anthracite PVD finish, contrasting with the skeletonised and large gold oscillating weight on the reverse. Placed at 6 o’clock, the sculptural one-minute flying tourbillon, with its cylindrical hairspring and skeletonised hand-bevelled balance bridge, rises perpendicularly around the upper stem of the balance spindle. Fitted with two Breguet curves, the friction on the pivots is reduced, and the isochronic properties of the movement improved. Cylindrical hairsprings are difficult to produce, which meant that the team at Precision Engineering AG had to re-master the expertise in shaping each hairspring by hand.

The Pioneer is Moser’s interpretation of a stylish sports watch with screw-down crown and 120m water-resistance, a robust case and luminescent hands and markers. No newcomer to complications, it has appeared with a flying tourbillon and even a perpetual calendar since its introduction in 2018. The steel case containing the elements, which measures 42.8mm in diameter and has a height of 11.7mm (15.3mm with sapphire crystal), has alternating polished and brushed surfaces that highlight the dynamic lines of the case with its characteristic indentations along the caseband.

The fully skeletonised calibre HMC 811 is an automatic in-house movement with bi-directional pawl winding, a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 74 hours.

Availability & Price

Presented on a black alligator leather strap with a steel folding clasp, the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton retails for CHF 79,000 (incl. tax) and is released as part of the permanent collection. For more information, please visit H. Moser.com.