Hanhart extends their classic pilot chronographs Pioneer Mk I and Pioneer Mk II with a new dial variation in the form of the Reverse Panda.
Press Release details with commentary in italics.
New: Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and MkII Reverse Panda chronographs
The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I is immediately available for 2.090,- Euro incl. VAT and Pioneer Mk II for 1.990,00 Euro incl. VAT. VAT is German VAT of 19%.
Commentary
The Hanhart chronographs have attracted many collectors, especially those who are keen on military or flight watches. The watches are intelligently designed, and look very good and melds the elements of the vintage flight chronographs with modern elements. We reviewed the 417 ES not long ago, and gave it a glowing recommendation, especially for the well placed pricing of about EUR 2k.
The Pioneer series is very similar to the classic 417 we reviewed. The maison has an entire collection on the Pioneer series with the same base design DNA. The novelties add to this family with the bicompax panda style dials. Both new models also pick up on the special red pusher and the chronograph seconds hand in red which is available in other models in the catalog.. This adds a nice touch of colour to the already handsome watch, making it even more attractive. Of course, the story behind is rather charming as well. The reason for the red pusher is a reminder for the pilot so that he does not accidentally reset the stopwatch. And is painted by the wife or girlfriend in red nail polish as a reminder to think of her and return home safely.
The two novelty models are the Pioneer Mk I and the Pioneer Mk II – the Mk1 is a monopusher, while the Mk II offers a more standard two pusher layout. There is little to chose from either, as both are very attractive, but if forced to pick one, we will go with the Mk I as the monopusher is a bit less common.
Both are based on the robust ETA 7753 caliber laid out in a bicompax design. The monopusher Mk I features an in-house modification for the single button chronograph. Both are cased in stainless steel with screw down back offering a water resistance of 100m. The watch features a closed caseback.
The lume as with the 417 is generous and lights up nicely in a luminiscent green in the dark.
Release details
Hanhart’s classic pilot chronographs PIONEER Mk I and PIONEER Mk II receive an additional dial variation: Reverse Panda. The popular dial variant with black and white elements provides not only a good contrast, but also a distinctive look.
Perfect readability, maximum reliability and ease of use: the construction and design of pilot chronographs follow clear criteria. The PIONEER Mk I model as a single- pusher chronograph and the PIONEER Mk II model as a chronograph with asymmet- rical pusher distance are among the most iconic Hanhart wristwatches manufactured according to these requirements.
The uncluttered dial without date in conjunction with the distinctive cathedral hands, guarantees perfect readability. The curved tips of the second and minute hands help to avoid parallax errors. Hands and numerals covered with Super-LumiNova® allow the time to be displayed even at night.
Behind the screwed stainless steel case back, the robust automatic caliber ETA 7753 in best Swiss Made quality ensures reliability and precision. In addition to a second stop, it offers a power reserve of at least 42 hours when fully wound. With a water re- sistance of up to 10 bar, the PIONEER Mk I and PIONEER Mk II are not only suitable for use in the cockpit.
A large crown and Hanhart’s typical fluted bezel with a red position marker, which is continuously adjustable in both directions, ensure optimum operability. The legend of the red pusher, which is supposed to prevent pilots from inadvertently resetting the stopwatch, tells of a pilot’s wife who marked her sweetheart’s pusher red with nail polish so that he would always think of her and return home safely.
A strap made of black calfskin ensures high wearing comfort from the first day. A stainless steel pin buckle with Hanhart logo provides a secure fit. Optional, a stain- less steel bracelet and leather straps in other colors are available.
Hanhart Pioneer Mk I Reverse Panda chronographs specifications
CASE
Stainless steel, satined/polished
Diameter 40 mm
Hight 15mm
Crown with the historic Hanhart “h”
Fluted rotating bezel, continuously rotatable, with red marking Anti-reflective convex sapphire glass
Screwed-down stainless steel case back
Water resistant to 10 bar/10 ATM according to DIN 8310
DIAL AND HANDS
Hanhart Logo
Super-LumiNova® coated numerals and hands
Minute and Second hand bent at tip to prevent parallax errors
STRAP
Black or brown calfskin strap with rivets and white stitching
Optional leather underlay in black or brown calfskin with white stitching Pin-buckle made of stainless steel
Lug width 20 mm
MOVEMENT
Automatic, Basis: ETA 7753
Hanhart one pusher modification
28.800 A/h, 4 Hz, 27 jewels
Power reserve minimum 42 hours after full winding
FUNCTIONS
Small second
30-minute counter
Bicompax Chronograph with central stop-second
Stop-second device
Start, Stop, Reset all in one pusher (in-house movement modification)
Hanhart Pioneer Mk II Reverse Panda chronographs specifications
CASE
Stainless steel, satined/polished
Diameter 40 mm
Hight 15mm
Crown with the historic Hanhart “h”
Fluted rotating bezel, continuously rotatable, with red marking Anti-reflective convex sapphire glass
Screwed-down stainless steel case back
Water resistant to 10 bar/10 ATM according to DIN 8310 Asymmetrical pusher distance
DIAL AND HANDS
Hanhart Logo
Super-LumiNova® coated numerals and hands
Minute and Second hand bent at tip to prevent parallax errors
STRAP
Black or brown calfskin strap with rivets and white stitching
Optional leather underlay in black or brown calfskin with white stitching Pin-buckle made of stainless steel
Lug width 20 mm
MOVEMENT
Automatic, Basis: ETA 7753
28.800 A/h, 4 Hz, 27 jewels
Power reserve minimum 42 hours after full winding
FUNCTIONS
Small second
30-minute counter
Bicompax Chronograph with central stop-second Stop-second device
