H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red
The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red is the latest creation from Neuhausen am Rheinfall. It sports a bold, cheery-red dial, 42.8mm steel case and an attractively finished in-house movement, the HMC 200 self-winding calibre.
In 2012, MELB holdings acquired the high-end watch brand, H. Moser & Cie. It seems hard to believe that only eight years have elapsed under this new ownership. Edouard Meylan, the company’s charismatic CEO spared no time making changes. Prior to 2012, the company produced high-quality products blessed with prepossessing aesthetics and superb movements. However, although the classical styling appealed to some clients, these individuals tended to be a tad conservative and characterised by grey hair.
While not wishing to alienate his existing customer base, Meylan took the strategic decision to engage with a younger audience. The firm’s perpetual calendar, probably the most user-friendly example of its type, was suddenly enlivened with a ‘Funky Blue’ dial. The arresting dial colour and kudu leather strap, as well as the dial’s unconventional soubriquet, attracted the attention of a new type of client. Indeed, these new clients may have possessed a longer life expectancy than previous customers, ensuring the brand could enjoy lucrative sales for many years to come.
Another interesting chapter in the brand’s post-2012 history relates to the Pioneer Centre Second, a contemporary model, housed in a 42.8mm steel case. The inaugural version of this model was released in 2015 and featured a ‘Midnight-Blue fumé’ dial, upholding the brand’s prowess for creating watches endowed with stunning dials.
Interestingly, H. Moser & Cie is a Manufacture and unusually procures the regulating organ from its sister company, Precision Engineering AG. The Pioneer Centre Seconds is equipped with the HMC 200 self-winding calibre, designed, developed and produced in-house.
Recently, the brand announced a new version of its 2015 Pioneer Centre Seconds, equipped with an eye-popping ‘Mad Red’ dial. Beyond its ebullient appearance, the aptly named H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red perpetuates the brand’s reputation for superb finishing and its near-obsessive focus on the minutiae.
The brand’s press release (July 2020)
With its strong character, the Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red is designed to appeal to the connoisseur. Its dial is literally mesmerising. As rare in nature as it is in Haute Horlogerie, red is synonymous with life, power and passion. In certain cultures, it is a symbol of joy and good fortune. It adds an exquisite touch to this resolutely stylish model, with its bold non-conformity. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal, the dial of the Swiss Mad Red fumé is equipped with faceted indices, topped with Superluminova®-filled dots, as are the hour and minute hands, which are partially skeletonised.
At the heart of the Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red model beats the HMC 200 movement. Designed, developed and produced in-house, this calibre is equipped with a regulating organ manufactured by H. Moser & Cie.’s sister company, Precision Engineering AG. Decorated with the famous Moser double stripes on the bridges and the main plate, and housing a large engraved oscillating weight, the calibre HMC 200 is 100% Swiss, 100% Moser. Boasting a minimum power reserve of three days, the Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red is an experienced travel and lifelong companion, ready to face any challenge, even those underwater as it is water-resistant to 12 ATM.
H. Moser & Cie.’s own and unique take on Haute Horlogerie.
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