Opening the watchmaker’s toolbox of niche display devices we find the retrograde display. A retrograde display features a linear scale with a hand that moves in a single direction along its length and then jumps back to the start once it reaches the end. Although I’m not sure you can even call it niche any more when there are entire brands like Reservoir dedicated to the concept as well as recent examples from IWC with the Lewis Hamilton Retrograde and Vacheron Constantin. Now it’s H. Moser & Cie.’s turn to add one to their repertoire with the launch of the Pioneer Retrograde Seconds.
First impressions are that this is a really nice watch. It has the signature case of the Pioneer collection measuring 42.8mm in diameter with a combination of brushed and polished finishing across its case band, lugs and bezel. It’s their sportiest design too with a 120m water resistance rating keeping the watch safe. However, what makes this watch cool is not the case, it’s the dial and movement housed inside.
The top 2/3rds of the dial are a very traditional H. Moser style display with a blue fumé gradient with the barest hint of a logo and gently facetted hour markers. The bottom third of the display is occupied by the retrograde seconds display, openworked to show the mechanisms of its operation. It has a 30-second scale meaning that the hand moves from the left side of the scale to the right twice per minute, jumping back to the start each time it reaches the end of the track. It makes for a very frenetic and active display, which is in keeping with the sportier vibe of the collection.
Powering the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde Seconds is the calibre HMC 250, which has a 72-hour power reserve and 21,600 vph frequency. The 30-second retrograde module was developed by Agenhor SA, which is a Swiss manufacture known for supplying high end movements to brands of all stripes, especially at the high end. They’re a sort of haute horological Sellita if that analogy makes sense.
The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Retrograde Seconds is priced at CHF 19,900 (approx. £17,700). That’s notably more than the Centre Seconds editions, as you’d expect, but still among the lower end of the price range H. Moser typically operates at. It’s also great to see a cool display feature like retrograde seconds take centre stage.
Price and Specs:
More details at H. Moser & Cie.
