The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Flying Hours Is An Exemplar Of Modern Subtlety In A Watch Complication

It is interesting to observe the difference between H. Moser & Cie.’s first take on the wandering hours complication, which was released in 2018, and the new version that just dropped at Geneva Watch Days. Certainly, some of it is due to the brand coming more into its own as a manufacturer, but it also feels like an indication of evolving design trends—the new Pioneer Flying Hours takes what is typically a maximalist time display and, instead, delivers it in an understated, very contemporary package filled with subtle design details.

The calibre HMC 240 works on the same principles as most wandering hours do: a minutes track rotates around, syncing up with one of three symmetrically located hour discs as it does so, sequentially moving on to the next disc at the top of each hour. Usually, the whole thing is left in plain sight. Here, the unused hour indicators are actually hidden from view, paring everything down to its legible essentials. It is sort of an anti-complication, in a way—if you didn’t know what was going on underneath, it’s just a jumping hour display. Calibre HMC 240 is self-winding, with a three-day power reserve.

All that negative space does leave a lot of room to admire the dial, however. There are two options presented in 43mm cases—steel with a white fumé dial that is, in practice, more of a gradient grey, and red gold and titanium with an aventurine dial. The latter is limited to 100 pieces. As part of the Pioneer collection, these watches are a little more adventure-ready, with rubber straps and a 120m water resistance rating.

H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Flying Hours

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