Interview and text by Hiroyuki Suzuki
Part 3: New models symbolize modern pioneering spirit
[Pioneer Center Second Automatic]
Heinrich Moser was born in Schaffhausen, a small city in northeastern Switzerland. After achieving success as a watchmaker, he devoted himself to the industrialization and regional development of his hometown. His portfolio has been repeatedly discussed in this series, but one thing I would like to add is that as an entrepreneur, he was a man full of "pioneering spirit." One symbolic example of this is the power plant he built, which harnessed the abundant hydropower of the Rhine River, as mentioned in the first installment of this series.
The Pioneer collection at modern H. Moser & Cie. continues the pioneering spirit of its founder. Since joining MELB Holdings, led by the Meylan family, in 2013, the company has begun restructuring its core lineup. Pioneer debuted in 2015 as the third collection following Endeavour and Venture. Originally scheduled for release in 2016, the new collection was brought to market a year earlier, a testament to the momentum of H. Moser & Cie.
The Pioneer is symbolized by its modernized case design. The "multiple structure" of the DLC-treated titanium middle case combined with the 18K Gold side pieces and bezel gives it a particularly sporty look within the H. Moser & Cie. lineup. The side pieces, which meet along the centerline of the lugs, are the result of the advanced cutting skills of Guyot Gunther, a case supplier in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Similarly, the alignment of the insert plates that fit into the recesses on the case sides is also perfect.
