Satellite hour displays are exciting because, aside from the lyrical sentiment, they represent a departure from the ordinary for most brands, with the exception of Urwerk, which has made them a trademark. They stand out from the core collections and reflect each brand's design, technical effort and specific interpretation of the wandering hour display. As H. Moser & Cie. Launching the Endeavor Flying Hours in 2018, it was a surprising move for the watchmaker known for its minimalist dials and subversive elegance. The debut model, with its ethereal fumé blue dial and sapphire minute disc, was enchanting, extremely sophisticated and different. In 2019, the Endeavor Flying Hours SuperLuminova Blue and Cosmic Green editions were introduced, and now the respected independent watchmaker is revisiting the concept and shifting its collections with the Pioneer Flying Hours!
The Endeavor Flying Hours SLN Blue…
and Cosmic Green.
The latest Pioneer Flying Hours adopt the same complication, now refined, revised and visually streamlined, and integrate it into the brand's most versatile and “practical” collection, the Pioneer line. Two versions were introduced: a pink gold case with black DLC-coated titanium inserts and a deep aventurine dial, and a stainless steel case with a white fumé dial. Of the two, the gray stainless steel model stands out as the purest expression of the brand ethos: elegant, understated and very modern.
The news
The transition from the Endeavor to the Pioneer series marked a change in approach. While the Endeavor Flying Hours were about visual fascination and slow transformation, the new Pioneer Flying Hours are about visible precision. Instead of the gradual hourly transition shown in the original, Moser constructed an instantaneous jump; The hour number now locks in at exactly the hour, and that makes a big difference. The new mechanism improves readability while giving the display a certain rhythm. It's a complication that feels alive yet controlled, combining mechanical artistry with everyday practicality.
The case
With a diameter of 42.8 mm and a thickness of 14.2 mm (10.6 mm without glass), the stainless steel case brings the robust design of Moser's Pioneer series into play. It is immediately recognizable by the molded lugs, the recessed fluted sections in the middle of the case and the high-domed sapphire crystal. The alternating brushed and polished surfaces enhance the watch's modern character without compromising its sophistication and position in the luxury category.
The Moser “M” logo is engraved on the screw-down crown. The 120-meter water resistance confirms that this is not a delicate showpiece, but a complication watch designed for real-life use.
The dial
The white fumé dial of the gray version, which gradually turns into smoky gray at the edges, is probably one of Moser's most beautiful creations. While the Endeavor Flying Hours offered a visual spectacle, this model offers a less visible sophistication.
Three individual hour discs rotate beneath the dial, visible only through the three molded openings. Only one window shows the current hour, while the other two remain empty: less is more. The central skeletonized minute disc appears to float above the dial and tells the time smoothly. As the hour changes, the discs jump precisely in a short movement before returning to a calm equilibrium. The lack of a logo is a hallmark of Moser's design and emphasizes the purity of the image, while the fumé gradient gives it a calm, subtle dynamic.
The movement
The Pioneer Flying Hours is powered by the automatic caliber HMC 240, which was specially developed and adapted specifically for this instant display and integrates a modular system above the basic caliber. Measuring 32mm wide and 7.8mm thick, the HMC 240 beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a 72-hour power reserve. The sapphire crystal back reveals the watch movement in all its understated beauty. The anthracite-colored surface of the bridges and plates provides a technical touch, the bevels are polished and there is also perlage. The tungsten rotor is skeletonized to reduce mass and improve winding efficiency by winding the movement in both directions.
The details
H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Flying Hours is worn on a gray textured rubber strap that perfectly matches the steel case. The steel pin buckle matches the sporty character and the quick-release spring bars make it easy to change the strap. The stainless steel reference joins the brand's permanent collection at a price of 29,000 francs (excluding taxes). If you're interested, the accompanying model in pink gold and black DLC titanium with an aventurine dial is limited to 100 pieces 39,000 francs.
For more information, visit H-Moser.com.
https://monochrome-watches.com/hands-on-review-h-moser-pioneer-flying-hours-independent-watchmaking-specs-live-pics-review/