TGR StaffThere are watches that tell time. Then there are watches that declare it. H. Moser & Cie., long known for their sharp wit and uncompromising approach to horology, has done it again with the new Pioneer Centre Seconds Sunny Side Up. And yes, it’s exactly as audacious as it sounds—sunny, surreal, and unapologetically philosophical.
Time, Served Sunny Side Up
With a title that could easily headline a Wes Anderson breakfast scene, the The Pioneer Centre Seconds Sunny Side Up embraces absurdity with the grace of an existential chicken. Its debut is paired with a delightfully unhinged creation myth involving brunch, a staring contest between egg and hen, and a radiant cosmic awakening. This isn’t your father’s tool watch—it’s haute horlogerie on holiday.
And yet, behind the yolk-colored satire lies a steel-cased timepiece that is technically masterful and undeniably stylish.
The Pioneer Centre Seconds, A Dial That Dares
At the heart of the Pioneer Centre Seconds Sunny Side Up is a brilliant yellow fumé dial with a sunburst pattern so vibrant it practically sizzles. Moser’s signature transparent logo allows the blazing color to take center stage, while Super-LumiNova® filled indices and leaf-shaped hands keep things legible—even after the brunch mimosas have kicked in.
The 40mm stainless steel case is refined yet rugged, topped with a domed sapphire crystal and a screw-in crown. The caseback is see-through, offering a peek at the engine that powers this horological ray of sunshine.
The Beating Heart of Brilliance
Inside, the watch is all business. Powered by the in-house HMC 201 automatic calibre, it offers a minimum 3-day power reserve, 27 jewels, and a hacking seconds mechanism. The engraved oscillating weight, double Moser stripes, and partially skeletonised bridges all signal this is more than a playful stunt—it’s a legitimate showcase of mechanical artistry.
And like every Moser creation, the Straumann® hairspring is crafted in-house by sister company Precision Engineering AG—ensuring vertical integration and independence in the ways that matter most to true collectors.
Wear It Like You Mean It
Anchored by a crisp white rubber strap and closed with a steel pin buckle, this piece toes the line between refined elegance and playful defiance. Water-resistant to 12 ATM, it’s ready for the weekend yacht or your favorite coffee shop’s patio.
It’s rare to find a luxury timepiece that doesn’t take itself too seriously. H. Moser & Cie. continues to challenge the staid traditions of watchmaking by reminding us that true luxury lies not only in craftsmanship but also in character.
At $15,900, the Pioneer Centre Seconds Sunny Side Up is no joke—but it is a reminder that timekeeping can be both profound and profoundly fun.
So, whether you’re wondering which came first—the chicken, the egg, or this sunrise of a watch—rest assured: with Moser, it’s always about seizing the now.
Photos Courtesy of H. Moser & Cie.
