H. Moser & Cie Turns Up The Heat with the Pioneer Spiced Aqua Collection

If there’s something that cannot be said about H. Moser & Cie. is that the brand plays it safe. Looking at the recent releases of the brand, you’ll see dials in some of the most unusual and audacious colours. Take, for instance, the Pink Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon for Alpine, the zesty Pioneer Concept Citrus Green or the Passion Fruit Watches done with Studio Underd0g. Well, things are getting even bolder this year, or as Moser says, “in a world where discretion is often dressed as a virtue, H. Moser & Cie. instead chooses the insolence of colour.” The new Pioneer Spiced Aqua collection, with its combination of vivid turquoise and dazzling orange, surely is insolent. 

This new sub-collection is all about colours, as we’re looking at three (well, four if we count one with 2 possible case finishes) existing models from the standard range, the Pioneer Centre Seconds, the Pioneer Tourbillon and the Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton. What matters is the combination of colours; a contrasting palette that makes a bold statement, using orange on turquoise or turquoise on orange, depending on the version – and equally colourful rubber strap, for an even more flashy result. Up to you to tone this down a bit with a more subtle strap, but after all, being audacious seems to be the point here. Even the official images above are not your usual white background rendering…

First in line is the Pioneer Centre Seconds Spice Aqua, with two options available: uncoated steel or DLC-coated steel for the case. Apart from this difference, both are identical in specs and look, housed in the larger 42.8mm version of this watch, with a screw-in crown and 120m water-resistance. What matters is the dial, with a centre part using a classic Moser dégradé effect over a bright turquoise colour. This “concept-like” dial (no markers, no logos) is framed by an orange flange coated with Super-LumiNova (something first seen in the Citrus Green), making it even more playful in the dark. The hands have the same luminous treatment. Inside is the in-house automatic calibre HMC 201 with 3 days of power reserve and recently upgraded decoration. The natural steel model is worn on a white rubber strap, while the DLC-coated edition comes with an orange strap. A steel bracelet is also available as an option. Prices start from CHF 14,500 (excl. taxes) for the non-coated version, and CHF 16,000 (excl. taxes) for the DLC edition.

Next, and adding a first layer of complexity, is the Pioneer Tourbillon Spiced Aqua. Identical for most of the specs as the Centre Seconds above, it retains the same 40mm steel case with 120m water-resistance. The dial is, however, a mirror image with a fumé orange central part, framed by a turquoise flange made of Super-LumiNova. The streamlined dial even better emphasises the aperture at 6 o’clock with the large flying tourbillon equipped with a double hairspring. It is powered by the HMC 805 automatic calibre, again with a 3Hz frequency and a 3-day power reserve. This tourbillon model comes on a turquoise rubber strap and is priced at CHF 49,900 (excl. taxes).

Finally, the Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Spiced Aqua tops the range of this bold sub-collection, with a movement that hides nothing. This version is housed in a larger 42.8mm case, topped by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal, bringing the thickness to 15.3mm (11.7mm without the crystal). Despite its complexity, the watch is still meant to handle some action with a 120m water-resistance. The dial is dominated by the openworked bridges and plate, and the flying tourbillon with cylindrical hairspring, designed and produced in-house. Time is indicated by an off-centred domed sub-dial, again made in fumé orange with turquoise Globolight inserts for the hour markers and hands. It beats at the rhythm of the in-house automatic calibre HMC 811, also seen in the Streamliner collection. This edition is paired with a turquoise rubber strap and priced at CHF 79,000 (excl. taxes).

For more details, please consult h-moser.com.