By now, you should be aware of the fact that H. Moser & Cie don’t just produce aesthetically pleasing luxury watches. They also are not afraid to try new things with the mechanics that power their watches. To come up with their new Pioneer Flying Hours, they combined their original Flying Hours design with the well-known Pioneer collection.
Pioneer Flying Hours: what it is
For this design, Moser kept the original “planetary” style of indicating the hour. Rather than keeping the discs visible on the dial, however, they’ve gone with windows that indicate the current hour. As the marked central disc rotates, the minutes are indicated. When they get to the next window, the next hour is indicated. While the exposed discs of the original do have that “wow” factor, this version keeps things a bit more restrained.
The movement
Inside the Pioneer Flying Hours is an automatic movement, the HMC 240. Along with driving the unique planetary hour display, it offers up a 3-day (aka 72-hour) power reserve. Winding the movement is an oscillating weight made of either 5N red gold or tungsten, depending on the model chosen. Also of note, for those who get down into these details, both the escapement and the hairspring used for the movement are made in-house.
The aesthetics
The Pioneer Flying Hours is housed in the Pioneer-style case, which we have found to be quite comfortable on the wrist while also offering up an interesting bit of style. This case is done up in either 5N red gold (for the limited-edition version) or stainless steel. Paired to that case is either an aventurine dial (again, for the LE model) or a white fumé (another signature detail for Moser). Regardless of the style chosen, the 42.8mm case should wear quite comfortably, paired as it is to a rubber strap.
Wrapping things up
The Pioneer Flying Hours was introduced earlier this month, and as we mentioned up above, there are two versions being offered. The limited-edition (red gold and aventurine) is limited to 100 pieces and is priced at $49,900. For the steel-encased variant, there is no production limit set, and pricing comes in at $41,200. It’s another intriguing look at how to indicate time, and we’re definitely fans. Check them out over at h-moser.com
Pioneer Flying Hours Tech Specs
References:
Reference 3240-0900, model in 5N red gold and titanium with black DLC coating, aventurine dial with 3 discs for the hours and a central wheel for the minutes, black rubber strap, limited edition of 100 pieces
Reference 3240-1200, steel model, White fumé dial with 3 discs for the hours and a central wheel for the minutes, grey rubber strap
Cases
5N red gold and inserts in black DLC-treated titanium for the reference 3240-0900
Diameter: 42.8 mm
Height: 16.1 mm / 12.5 mm excluding sapphire crystal
Steel for the reference 3240-1200
Diameter: 42.8 mm
Height: 14.2 mm / 10.6 mm excluding sapphire crystal
Curved sapphire crystal and see-through case-back
Screw-in crown in black DLC-treated titanium or steel, adorned with an “M”
Water-resistant to 12 ATM
Dial
Aventurine or White fumé with sunburst pattern
1 central steel wheel with black coating (ref. 3240-0900) or blue coating (ref. 3240-1200) for the minutes
3 discs for the hours
Movement
HMC 240 automatic Manufacture calibre
Oscillating weight made from solid 18-carat red gold or tungsten
Diameter: 32.0 mm
Height: 7.8 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
35 jewels
Power reserve: minimum 72 hours
Automatic bi-directional winding system
Original Straumann® hairspring with flat overcoil
Functions
Flying hours
Planetary display of hours and minutes
Strap
Black rubber or grey rubber
Pin buckle in black DLC-treated titanium or steel, engraved with the Moser logo