Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Hanhart Pioneer One Bronze Limited Edition
The brand's no-frills vintage pilot 3-hander, back in bronze and green.
Hanhart, a respectable manufacturer of pilot’s watches from Germany, not only has a long history in this particular field but recently struck the right chord by incorporating its rich background on a batch of impressively cool models at accessible prices. Think for instance about the 417 ES Pilot’s Chronograph Re-Edition, or the modern S-Series 105 OE. Today, the brand succumbs to the trend for bronze watches and green dials with the new Hanhart Pioneer One Bronze Limited Edition. But the result is once again a very appealing model with a fair price.
The Hanhart Pioneer One isn’t a new model per se; the watch was presented in stainless steel back in 2018. Nicely executed, classic in its design, solid and with excellent value for money, there was already a lot to like about this watch. However, for this new limited edition, the brand has decided to refine its watch, not only by making its case in bronze but by tweaking some details for an even more appealing vintage vibe. The overall design of the Pioneer One is based on the historic 417 ES Pilot’s Chronograph, with its no-nonsense case, its fluted bezel with red marking and its ultra-legible dial. Although it has been reduced to a three-hand display, it still bears enough historical details to please enthusiasts.
The case of the Hanhart Pioneer One Bronze is crafted from CuSn8 bronze, with the exception of the caseback, made of blasted stainless steel. The case, measuring 42mm in diameter and 12mm in height, has a matte finish all around and includes an oversized crown, also crafted from bronze. In addition to its warm colour and retro style, bronze also has the ability to change over time. By wearing the watch, an oxidation process is set in motion making each watch age individually, depending on how the wearer uses it. Keep in mind that CuSn8 is a relatively stable alloy that will only gain a light patina (and won’t grow a toxic-like green patina).
The watch is protected by a sapphire crystal with AR coating and has 100m water-resistance. And, as usual with Hanhart, it features a fluted bezel, typical of the brand’s pilot’s watches and reminiscent of its early pilot’s chronographs. The bezel features a red marking and is continuously rotatable in both directions (no clicks).
Compared to the series model in stainless steel, the dial of this Hanhart Pioneer One Bronze has also been slightly redesigned. First, the Arabic numerals are bolder and filled with retro-coloured Super-LumiNova. Second, it shows the historical logo of the brand, which is only seen on rare occasions (also found on the crown). Also, the hour chapter ring features a concentric pattern, while the rest of the dial has a matte finish. And while the dark green colour, a reference to the Black Forest region where the watches are manufactured (also used on this Pioneer Mk II 80 Jahre) is the most obvious update, the brand also decided to make this bronze edition a no-date watch. All of that to reinforce the vintage spirit, to match with the specific vibe provided by the bronze case.
Inside the case are the tried-and-tested mechanics of the robust and easily-serviceable Sellita SW 200. This automatic movement, here equipped with a specific Hanhart rotor, beats at 4Hz, boasts 38 hours of power reserve and features a stop-seconds mechanism. The watch comes on a 22mm dark brown saddle leather strap, with a vintage look and a pin buckle with bronze PVD coating.
Availability & Price
The Hanhart Pioneer One Bronze is a limited edition of 150 pieces. It can be ordered as of now on the dedicated page at www.hanhart.com and deliveries will start on February 15th, 2021. It will be priced at EUR 1,190 (incl. taxes).
More details at www.hanhart.com.
