H. Moser Pioneer Centre Seconds “Mega Cool” vs the Pioneer Centre Seconds in Red
Have Moser discovered a new winning formula for their sports watch collection? In typical Moser fashion, they have taken one of their signature pieces and 'Moserised' it. So, let's explore the new "Mega Cool" and see what makes it so unique
The New Dial Colour
Like many watches, a Moser's dial is the window to its soul, and while the red fume dial of the Pioneer Centre Seconds ref. 3200-1207 is gorgeous; it features some touches that seem a bit old. Beginning with the colour, the red fume aesthetic appears rather dark. While that's not generally a negative, the Mega Cool's new sunray-brushed Blue Lagoon dial is breathtaking and bright – a winning combo in today's market where bright reigns supreme.
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Evoking the scenery of a tropical island paradise, the Mega Cool's fume Blue Lagoon dial reflects the warm shallow waters found at the beach and the darker cooler waters that await a short swim out towards the horizon. A gorgeous shade of turquoise, the Mega Cool's dial capitalises on the watch community's current love of blue and green at the very same time with an extraordinary level of grace and decorum. This brighter shade appears more fun, and sporty, which I think speaks to the Pioneer Centre Seconds' raison d'etre, while the red seems that bit more formal.
The Nitty Gritty Dial Details
Like most watch collectors, the devil is in the details for me, and with Moser, they have been stripping those details away in what has become one of their most defining characteristics – they love to embrace minimalism. While some brands have hid behind minimalism as some thinly-veiled excuse to be lazy, Moser have used it as their own form of branding. Again, this seems like such a none-point, but in actuality, in a market where branding is everything, it speaks to Moser's unambiguous drive to be unique.
One of the Mega Cool's first small changes is its new handset. Taken from Moser's Streamliner collection, these hands replace the partially skeletonised leaf-shaped hands fitted to the previous Pioneer Centre Seconds models. With their two-part construction and sportier feel, they speak to the Mega Cool's more sport-oriented feel. Rich with lume, they are a hit, in my opinion, as the previous Pioneer Centre Seconds hands have begun to age slightly and aren't that sporty.
Alongside the change of hands, the Mega Cool's dial features another small change – translucent branding. Swapping the Pioneer Centre Seconds' white logo for a barely visible ghostly logo, the Mega Cool brings a new aesthetic to Moser's love of the unbranded.
While these might seem like small changes, given they are both in a timepiece with so few of these imperceivable details, they allow the Mega Cool's aesthetic to depart from that of the Pioneer Centre Seconds in a pretty distinct manner. While the two watches do indeed hail from the same collection, they have unique auras to them. The Mega Cool is a fun and sporty piece, while the Pioneer Centre Seconds blends formal and sporty into one jack-of-all-trades type of design.
The Unchanged
Amongst the updates, there are some things that the Mega Cool has carried from earlier Pioneer Centre Seconds models. For a start, its case is unchanged at 42.8mm in diameter and 15mm thick. This would be my one criticism for the entire Pioneer Centre Seconds collection; it is a bit thick. But, Moser have done a great job of breaking up the case's design so that its sides are not slab-like as they feature some interesting engraving work along the lugs and onto the case itself.
Furthermore, the Mega Cool features the same movement as the other Pioneer Centre Seconds, the HMC200. Automatic and featuring 72 hours of power reserve, this entirely in-house beauty is on full view behind the Mega Cool and the Pioneer Centre Seconds' sapphire crystal caseback.
Strap Options
The Mega Cool comes with a dial-matching turquoise Kevlar strap, as well as the same black perforated rubber strap as other Pioneer Centre Seconds models, a black alligator leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet too. With its dial-matching turquoise Kevlar strap, the Mega Cool makes quite a significant statement on the wrist and is, in my opinion, one of Moser's best-looking releases to date, with the strap's turquoise hue pushing the Mega Cool's fun and sporty design to the next level.
Overall, I think the Mega Cool is emblematic of how Moser have been going in the past few years. While the previous Pioneer Centre Seconds models are stunning too, the Mega Cool's discreet branding and stunning dial set it apart as a 'Moserised' Moser, if even such a thing can exist. If Moser continues to move the Pioneer Centre Seconds collection in the direction the Mega Cool has gone, they will be overrun with orders, and I think I might just be one of them sometime soon.
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Specifications
H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds "Mega Cool"
Reference number: 3200-1214
Case size: 42.8 mm
Thickness: 10.6 mm (without sapphire crystal)
Material: Steel
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 12 ATM
Movement: HMC 200 self-winding calibre
Functions: Hours and minutes, centre seconds
Winding: Self-winding
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
Power reserve: 3 days
Strap: Kevlar, rubber, steel or alligator leather
Price: CHF 13,900
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H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds "Swiss Mad" Red fumé dial
Reference number: 3200-1207
Case size: 42.8 mm
Thickness: 10.6 mm (without sapphire crystal)
Material: Steel
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 12 ATM
Movement: HMC 200 self-winding calibre
Functions: Hours and minutes, centre seconds
Winding: Self-winding
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h
Power reserve: 3 days
Strap: Kevlar, rubber, steel or alligator leather
To learn more, visit Moser online.
