ReviewArctic Allure: The New H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Watches—Now At 40mm

Famously known as the timepiece suitable for a wetsuit as well as a three-piece suit, and everything in between, H. Moser & Cie.’s Pioneer is touted as the perfect companion for every adventure. Equipped with a robust case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and a water resistance of 120m, the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer line of watches is your go-to watch for any and every occasion. For 2023, H. Moser & Cie. made a giant leap and moved into a new dimension with a brand-new 40mm case. At this new size, this all-terrain model remains sturdy and evenly proportioned to meet all challenges you throw at it. The new size makes its debut with two versions: the Pioneer Centre Seconds Arctic Blue and the Pioneer Tourbillon Arctic Blue.

Circular Arctic Blue—The New Hue

Designed to cater to both land and underwater, the new Pioneer watches from H. Moser & Cie. come with attractive ‘arctic blue’ sunburst fumé dials that are striking and radiant. These new dials follow the brand’s well-known design style of minimalism. The almost invisible logo at 12 o’clock is set in transparent lacquer further establishing the brand’s signature minimalistic design codes.

The new H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Arctic Blue and the Pioneer Tourbillon Arctic Blue watches are now available in 40mm

The vibrant blue is enhanced with faceted appliqué indices, topped with Super-LumiNova dots and paired with Super-LumiNova filled leaf-shaped hands. In terms of the design language, the only difference between the two watches is the presence of a one-minute flying tourbillon at six o’ clock with a skeletonised bridge, seen on the edition with the prestigious complication.

At this new size, this all-terrain model remains sturdy and evenly proportioned to meet all challenges you throw at it

A genuine work of art, the brand’s signature warm, fumé dials work perfectly against the cold visual of the steel case, which previously came in 42.8mm. The domed sapphire crystal of the glass and the see-through caseback adds to the overall wearable factor of the watch. The new case structure is set with a screw-in crown which helps with the water resistance of 120m, making it fine to wear in almost any water-related activities, apart from deep-diving.

Power Beneath The Arctic Blue

Despite the design similarities between both models, the real beauty of the two timepieces lies in the differences that work under the hood. Beginning with the more complicated version, the Pioneer Tourbillon Arctic Blue houses the HMC 804 automatic manufacture calibre, which is designed and produced in-house by H. Moser & Cie.’s sister company, Precision Engineering AG. This movement is equipped with a double hairspring that allows for the correction of the movement of the point of gravity on each spring when it expands. This further aids in improving accuracy and perfection in rotation. The paired hairsprings also help in reducing the effect of friction which is normally experienced with a single hairspring, thus improving isochronism. Lastly, the HMC 804 in-house movement features a unique design that allows the tourbillon to be an interchangeable module. What does this mean? It means that it can be assembled and regulated independently via a simple plug-and-play system, resulting in easy servicing and better adaptation ability for our fast-paced lives. And to top that, this calibre also packs a power reserve of three full days.

The vibrant blue of the dial is enhanced with faceted appliqué indices, topped with Super-LumiNova dots and paired with Super-LumiNova filled leaf-shaped hands

The only difference between the two watches is the presence of a one-minute flying tourbillon at six o’ clock with a skeletonised bridge

On the other three-hand model, the time runs on the HMC 200 automatic calibre, which is also designed, developed and produced in-house at H. Moser & Cie. Features an automatic bidirectional pawl-winding system and an engraved oscillating weight, this one too offers a three-day power reserve.

Further adding freshness and modernity to the overall blue-and-steel combination, these new Pioneer watches come with a black strap in rubber, textile, or hand-stitched alligator leather, or a steel bracelet. You could choose to go with rubber or steel if you’re likely to wear one of these Pioneers on a wetsuit, leather if you’re more for a three-piece suit, and textile for anything in between.