After the first Pioneer Retrograde Seconds, H. Moser & Cie. gives the same playful complication to three of its collections at once.
Today it introduces the Pioneer Skeleton Retrograde Seconds, the Streamliner Retrograde Seconds and the Endeavour Retrograde Seconds. All share one display: a seconds hand that sweeps across an arc for 30 seconds, then returns instantly to zero.
The mechanism sits on the dial, in full view. At the end of each cycle, a double snail cam releases the energy stored by a hairspring, and the hand snaps back. A two-tone disc shows whether the watch is in the first or the second 30-second period.
The brand calls the three technical, contemporary and elegant. The fully skeletonised Pioneer Skeleton sets anthracite bridges against gold hands, in a 40mm steel case. The Streamliner pairs a Midnight Blue fumé dial with its integrated steel bracelet. The Endeavour stays understated, its Blackor fumé dial playing with light and shade.
The Pioneer Skeleton’s retrograde complication was developed by H. Moser & Cie.; the other two use a module developed by Agenhor SA.
In the brand’s words: “The mechanism remains the common thread, while each collection gives it a character entirely of its own.” It is the same 30 seconds, seen three ways.
The Basics
Brand: H. Moser & Cie.
Model: Pioneer Skeleton Retrograde Seconds; Streamliner Retrograde Seconds; Endeavour Retrograde Seconds
Reference: 3251-1200 (Pioneer Skeleton); 6252-1200 (Streamliner); 1252-1200 (Endeavour)
Diameter: 40.0mm
Thickness: 12.0mm (Pioneer Skeleton); 12.1mm (Streamliner); 11.2mm (Endeavour), with sapphire crystal
Case material: Steel; see-through case back
Dial: Fully skeletonised (Pioneer Skeleton); Midnight Blue fumé, sunburst (Streamliner); Blackor fumé, sunburst (Endeavour)
Water resistance: 12 ATM (Pioneer Skeleton, Streamliner); 3 ATM (Endeavour)
Bracelet: Integrated steel (Pioneer Skeleton, Streamliner)
Strap: Khaki rubber, also supplied (Pioneer Skeleton); night blue nubuck alligator leather (Endeavour)
The Movement
Calibre: HMC 251, fully skeletonised (Pioneer Skeleton); HMC 252 (Streamliner, Endeavour)
Functions: Hours and minutes; retrograde seconds with a jump every 30 seconds
Winding: Self-winding; automatic bi-directional pawl winding system
Power reserve: Minimum of 3 days
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
Jewels: 29 (HMC 251); 31 (HMC 252)
Images courtesy of H. Moser & Cie.