While I generally believe that I’m up to date on the watches that H. Moser & Cie release, somehow there was one back in October that somehow slipped past my radar. So, today, we’re correcting that oversight, and talking about the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde.
H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde: what it is
The last time we wrote about a Moser Pioneer model, it was one that tucked a tourbillon into the movement (and on the dial). In a lot of ways, the Pioneer line has been a very versatile platform for Moser, as they’ve been able to turn that classic, conservative look into a wide variety of approaches.
This one puts a retrograde seconds hand on the lower portion of the dial. This is a 30-second display, which means you’re going to have a lot of movement on that part of the dial. Once 30 seconds have elapsed, the hand snaps back to the start position, and continues the count.
The movement
To enable that display on the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde, they have the HMC 250. This starts life as the HMC 201, and then has a module grafted on for the retrograde seconds. It’s interesting to note that it’s not just for snapping that hand back and tracking the seconds. It also includes a two-tone disc that indicates if it’s in the first or second pass of 30 seconds within the minute. Technical precision hiding underneath elegant simplicity.
Wrapping things up
While there certainly is a loveliness to the “standard” Moser three-hander with the fume dial, there’s just something about the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde that appeals to me. You’ve got those classic good looks, and then you’ve got something that’s simultaneously technical AND fun with the retrograde seconds display. If you’re in agreement, you can add one to your collection for 19,900 CHF. Check out the details over at h-moser.com
H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde Seconds Tech Specs
- Reference 3250-1200, steel model, Midnight Blue fumé dial, rubber, textile or alligator leather strap or steel bracelet
- Case
- Solid steel
- Diameter: 42.8 mm
- Height without sapphire crystal: 10.6 mm; Height with sapphire crystal: 14.2 mm
- Domed sapphire crystal and see-through case-back
- Screw-in crown adorned with an “M”
- Water-resistant to 12 ATM
- Dial
- Midnight Blue fumé with sunburst pattern
- H. Moser & Cie. logo in transparent lacquer
- Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®
- Faceted applique indices
- Movement
- HMC 250 automatic calibre with 30-second retrograde module developed by Agenhor SA
- Diameter: 32.0 mm ou 14 1/4 lignes
- Height : 6.5mm
- Frequency : 21 600 Vib/h
- 31 jewels
- Automatic bi-directional pawl winding system
- Engraved oscillating weight
- Power reserve: minimum of 3 days
- Hacking seconds
- Original Straumann® hairspring
- Anthracite finish with Moser double stripes
- Partially skeletonised bridges
- Functions
- Hours and minutes
- Retrograde second, jump every 30 seconds
- Strap/bracelet
- Hand-stitched alligator leather, rubber, or textile strap or steel bracelet
- Steel pin buckle engraved with the H. Moser & Cie. logo
