Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Flying Hours in Steel, a Blend of Horology and Sportiness
Technical but approachable, intricate yet easy to live with, demonstrating that even the most mechanical art can thrive in daily wear.
Satellite hour displays are exciting because, apart from the lyrical mood, for most brands, except Urwerk, which made it a signature feature, they are a departure from the ordinary. They stand out from the core collections, reflecting the design, engineering effort and each brand’s specific interpretation of the wandering hours indication. In 2018, when H. Moser & Cie. launched the Endeavour Flying Hours, it marked a surprising move for the watchmaker known for its minimalist dials and subversive elegance. The debut model, with its ethereal fumé blue dial and sapphire minutes disc, was enchanting, decidedly refined, and different. In 2019, Endeavour Flying Hours SuperLuminova Blue and Cosmic Green editions were introduced, and now the revered indie watchmaker revisits the concept once more, shifting collections with the Pioneer Flying Hours!
The latest Pioneer Flying Hours takes the same complication, now refined, re-engineered, and visually streamlined, and puts it in the brand’s most versatile and “practical” collection, the Pioneer line. Two versions were revealed: a red gold case with black DLC-coated titanium inserts and a deep aventurine dial, and a stainless steel case with a white fumé dial. Of the two, the grey stainless steel model stands out as the purest expression of the brand’s ethos: elegant, restrained, and very modern.
The News
The transition from the Endeavour to the Pioneer series marked a shift in approach. Where the Endeavour Flying Hours was about visual intrigue and slow transformation, the new Pioneer Flying Hours is about visible precision. Instead of the gradual hour transition seen in the original, Moser has engineered an instantaneous jump; the hour numeral now snaps into place precisely on the hour, and it makes a whole lot of difference. The new mechanism enhances legibility while giving the display a certain sense of rhythm. It’s a complication that feels alive yet controlled, merging mechanical artistry with everyday practicality.
The Case
At 42.8mm in diameter and 14.2mm thick (10.6mm without crystal), the stainless steel case brings Moser’s rugged Pioneer series design into play. It’s instantly recognisable by its sculpted lugs, recessed fluted sections in the mid-case, and high-domed sapphire crystal. The alternating brushed and polished surfaces emphasise the watch’s modern character without compromising its refinement and position in the luxury category.
The screw-down crown is engraved with Moser’s “M” logo. The 120-meter water-resistance rating confirms this isn’t a delicate showcase piece, a complication watch designed to live in real life.
The Dial
The grey version’s white fumé dial, fading gradually to smoky grey along its edges, may be one of Moser’s most beautiful creations. Where the Endeavour Flying Hours revelled in visual spectacle, this model offers a less visible sophistication.
Three individual hour discs rotate beneath the dial, seen only through the three shaped apertures. Only one window reveals the current hour, while the other two remain blank: less is more. The central skeletonised minutes disc, as if floating above the dial, tracks time fluidly. When the hour changes, the discs jump with precision in a momentary animation before returning to quiet balance. A hallmark of Moser’s design, the lack of a logo highlights the purity of the image, while the fumé gradient provides it with a quiet, subtle dynamism.
The Movement
The Pioneer Flying Hours is powered by the automatic calibre HMC 240, developed in-house and specifically adapted for this instantaneous display, which integrates a modular system above the base calibre. Measuring 32mm across and 7.8mm thick, the HMC 240 beats at 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz) and delivers a 72-hour power reserve. The sapphire caseback allows a view of the movement in all its restrained beauty. The anthracite finish across bridges and plates provides a technical edge, the bevels are polished, and there’s also perlage. The tungsten rotor is skeletonised to reduce mass and improve winding efficiency, winding the movement bi-directionally.
The Details
The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Flying Hours is worn on a grey textured rubber strap, which feels perfectly matched to the steel case. The steel pin buckle lines up with the sporty character, and the quick-release spring bars make strap changes effortless. The stainless steel reference joins the brand’s permanent collection, priced at CHF 29,000 (excluding taxes). Should you be interested, the companion red gold and black DLC titanium model with aventurine dial is limited to 100 pieces at CHF 39,000.
For more information, please consult H-Moser.com.
