The Pioneer Centre Seconds is everything that existing watches from H. Moser & Cie. are not. With a large case made up of contrasting gold and titanium, the Pioneer also features Super-Luminova on the dial for nighttime legibility as well as a rubber strap. In short, it’s luxury sports watch. But like all other Moser timepieces, it’s equipped with an in-house movement.

The Pioneer is the third and last pillar of H. Moser & Cie.’s line-up, after the vintage-inspired Venturer and the Endeavour, the original aesthetic of the brand. At 42.8mm in diameter and 15mm thick, it’s the largest wristwatch from Moser to date. The case is mostly 18k red gold, with inserts made of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated titanium on the flanks and lugs; the crown is also titanium.

Three dials are on offer, two of which have the brand’s signature, graduated fumé finish available in red gold or dark grey. The third dial option is a simple silvered finish. Luminous dots on found on the flange around the dial, making them more discreet during the day.

Inside the Pioneer Centre Seconds is the calibre HMC 230, an automatic movement with a three day power reserve. To match the case, the movement is finished in a black galvanic coating with red gold gilding. Water-resistant to 120m, the Pioneer Centre Seconds is fitted to a rubber strap.

Priced at US$22,900 or SFr23,000, the Pioneer Centre Seconds is only available in red gold for now, but expect it to be introduced in more affordable metals in the future.

Addendum October 16, 2015: Movement images as well as pricing in U.S. dollars and Swiss francs added.

Dubai Watch Week will open for the first time on October 18, 2015, offering a multifaceted series of events, including talks and masterclasses, to spread the gospel of fine watchmaking.

The first edition of a planned annual event, Dubai Watch Week (DWW) brings together watches and people for a five day watchmaking extravaganza. DWW includes exhibitions, talks, panel discussions and watchmaking masterclasses. Organised by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the largest watch retailer in the Middle East, DWW is under the patronage of Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

A highlight of the fair will be the presence of the luminaries of independent watchmaking, including Felix Baumgartner of Urwerk, Maximilian Büsser of MB&F, Stephen Forsey of Greubel Forsey, and Philippe Dufour. Key people behind international watch auctions will also attend, including Aurel Bacs of Phillips and John Reardon of Christie’s.

The week’s events will also include Christie’s Important Watches auction on October 21. And major personalities from the world of online horological media will also be part of DWW, including William Rohr, the chief executive of Timezone, Alexander Friedman of Watchonista, and of course your correspondent who will be on a panel discussion titled “Effect of Social Media” on October 19.

DWW takes place from October 18 to 22 at the Gate Village of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). More information, including registration for DWW events, can be found on DubaiWatchWeek.com.

An engraving technique used for rifles and banknote plates, bulino engraving is used to render the Lion of Venice in minute, lifelike detail on the dial of the Piaget Altiplano Bulino Engraving wristwatch.

Using lines and dots to create a photorealistic image, bulino engraving was first used to decorate a wristwatch when Piaget introduced the first Altiplano Bulino Engraving in 2013. This year Piaget has unveiled an eight-piece limited edition depicting the Lion of Venice in all its majestic detail.  Originating in Italy, bulino engraving gets its name from bulino, Italian for “burin”, the knob-handled tool used to engrave metal. Often used to decorate guns, the technique is sometimes known as banknote engraving, being the same one used to engraving the printing plates for currency in the past.

Inspired by the winged lion statue in the Piazza San Marco in Venice

While more elementary engraving techniques use broad lines to form a pattern, bulino engraving relies on fine lines and tiny dots to create shading and depth, resulting in an image that is almost lifelike. The detail possible with the bulino engraving technique is evident on the Altiplano Bulino Engraving, with the fine fur and mane of the lion comprised of hundreds of tiny strokes. 

The Altiplano Bulino Engraving Lion is in white gold and 40mm in diameter, equipped with the 830P movement, an extra-thin hand-wound calibre that’s just 2.5mm high. Limited to eight pieces, the Altiplano Bulino Engraving Lion is priced at S$86,500 including 7% tax in Singapore. That’s equivalent to US$61,600.