Hanhart is a long time maker of stopwatches originally from in Gütenbach in South Germany, bordering Switzerland. Now with its administrative headquarters across the border in Diessenhofen in Switzerland but production facilities remaining in Germany, Hanhart is a Swiss-German watch company, as its CEO Thomas Morf says.
Formerly CEO of Carl F. Bucherer, the energetic Mr Morf took the helm at Hanhart ten months ago after taking a stake in the business. The product line-up for 2011 reflects his vision for the company primarily as a maker of sports chronographs with a heavy emphasis on the brand’s well known historical pilot’s chronographs.
I have always liked the traditional yet distinctive aesthetic of the German airforce chronographs from the Second World War and own a one-button manual wind Hanhart. The other notable maker of these watches was Tutima, which recently unveiled a minute repeater. Hanhart, on the other hand is focusing its attention on one product style for the future, as Mr Morf explains, though there are other products like the Primus and dashboard timers (more on that later).
These watches are perfect with the increasingly popularity of retro-style watches. And not only is the design appealing, Hanhart has a story to tell, mainly as a sporting and military timer maker, something which was not well exploited in the past.
The classic pilot’s chronographs are known as the Pioneer range and are available in three sizes, 40, 42 and 45 mm.
Though the sizes are different the familial resemblance is clear – fluted bidirectional turning bezel with red marking and red chronograph reset button – both of which are key elements of the original pilot’s watches of the 30s and 40s. There is a choice of a smooth, fixed bezel and silver dials as well. Most models are also available as a monopusher (MonoControl) or twin pusher (TwinControl).
he two smaller sizes of 40 and 42 mm essentially use the same 7750 calibre modified for a bi-compax layout. The model I have is the 40 mm version, which has better proportions than the 42 mm in my opinion, especially with the cut-off numerals and disproportionately large logo on the 42 mm.
I do like the styling of the 45 mm, though it is too large for my wrist. The subdials are very wide apart, almost exaggeratedly so, as the original fliegerchronograph had widely space subdials.
The movement in the 45 mm model is interesting; it’s a Valjoux 7750 modifiedby Hanhart to have the constant seconds and hour counter co-axial at nine o’clock. Hence the name TwinDicator.
The 42 and 45 mm models are new, while the 40 mm models are largely identical to what existed before. That being said subtle improvements in quality and finishing have been carried out. Most notable is the red coated chronograph button which is now ceramic coated, rather than resin coated as before - this is a noticeable upgrade both visually and in terms of tactile feel. The case back engraving has also been improved.
Pricing for the watches is reasonable beginning at CHF2700 for the two-button 40 mm pilot’s chronograph to CHF3200 for the equivalent model in 42 mm case. However, the TwinDicator is pricey at CHF5850 for the fluted bezel version.
Also interesting are the stopwatches and timers made by Hanhart. As one of the few mechanical stopwatch (not wristwatch) makers left in the Western world Hanhart supplies several other companies with stopwatch movements, including some major Swiss names. And the dashboard instrument panels are essentially steel plates into which the stopwatches can be fitted.
Mr Morf is taking Hanhart in the direction it should be going and I look forward to its 2012 collection which should include some interesting products.
- SJX
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