On the subject of the chronographs in its traditional Pioneer line, German watchmaker Hanhart doesn’t get very adventurous. In the event you have a look at the gathering, you’ll see numerous black, some white, a couple of cream dials, and never a lot else. The handsets, too, keep true to the previous, with variations that includes both cathedral or syringe-style hour and minute fingers. The one issues that make them stand out are the crimson, coin-edge bezel and the crimson chronograph pusher. Other than that, the Pioneer chronographs are a quite staid bunch of vintage-inspired watches. However not too long ago, the model made some tweaks that genuinely change the character of the watches. Primarily based on the 2010 Crimson X Chronograph LE and launched in a restricted version of 140 items every, the Hanhart Crimson X Blue and Hanhart Crimson X Gray chronograph units deliver new colours and a contemporary handset to the Pioneer chronographs, giving them a refreshing replace — and are available full with a stopwatch with its personal show stand.
The brand new Hanhart Crimson X Blue chronograph borrows its case from the Hanhart Pioneer 417 ES 1954 Flyback. This case design includes a traditionally correct 39mm diameter primarily based on the unique 1954 design, with a forty five.5mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 14.5mm. I ought to notice that that is 1.2mm thicker than the 417ES 1954 Flyback, and I couldn’t, for the lifetime of me, work out how or why that was till I took a more in-depth have a look at the dial. On the wrist, the watch by no means felt too massive or prime heavy, as stout watches are wont to do, so I used to be stunned after I noticed that it was so thick; there’s a little bit of a bulbous really feel, however it’s not overwhelming. It has an surprising however welcome 100m water resistance and is paired with a suede ox leather-based strap matched to the dial and outfitted with a pin buckle. The strap itself is comfy and affords simple adjustments due to the quick-release pins.
Of explicit notice (on just about each Hanhart watch) is the bi-directional coin-edge bezel with its crimson indicator and the matching cap on the 4 o’clock reset pusher. These are undoubtedly the model’s signature, making its watches immediately recognizable. Because the legend goes, a pilot’s lover had painted the reset button along with her crimson nail polish. Extra virtually, the crimson served as a warning for pilots to not push the reset button by mistake. With the usage of a flyback chronograph motion, the crimson pusher not solely resets the chronograph after it’s stopped however may deliver it again to zero to restart timing with a single push, no cease wanted. It’s a enjoyable trick to observe and possibly to indicate others, however I didn’t discover it supplied a lot day-to-day utility. The bidirectional bezel was related. In concept, it presents extra performance, with the power to mark a place to begin or an ending level, relative to the minute, hour, or chronograph seconds hand. It rotates simply however is a bit vulnerable to getting nudged misplaced on account of its lack of detents. The dearth of markings provides one other step, although, however maybe it’s all irrelevant as a result of how usually does one really use the chronograph for such functions? Not I.
The field units launched are available in a alternative of blue or grey dials. Other than their base coloration, the dials are an identical. Each obtain a sunray brushed end that performs with the sunshine, and whereas the blue is extra good, I feel the grey is extra stunning. The dials have obtained a number of updates (or maybe simply adjustments) in comparison with the same old Pioneer chronograph dials. The numerals are slimmer and extra fashionable, with alternating hours marked by cut up red-white markings. Most clearly, the handset right here is neither the cathedral nor the syringe handset that has graced earlier Pioneer chronographs. As an alternative, the watch will get slender obelisk fingers, whereas the chronograph and subdial fingers are lacquered in a vivid crimson to match the case accents. These subordinate fingers have additionally been up to date, the chronograph hand now a straight baton as an alternative of a slim leaf, and the subdial fingers an extended level as an alternative of a straight black or white baton.
All the dial package deal is measurably extra interesting to me than the opposite Pioneer choices, which look a bit too classic for my liking. By streamlining the design, there’s a bit extra punch to the dial, as an alternative of relying solely on historicity for design. With the sunken, azurage subdials, there’s additionally loads of depth, however the sloped chapter ring provides much more — and accounts, I consider, for the extra thickness of the watch! Puzzle solved. You’re welcome.
The Hanhart Crimson X chronographs function the Sellita AMT Caliber 5100 M, which Hanhart first used with the Hanhart 417 ES Flyback. AMT is Sellita’s customization arm for when manufacturers need greater than a customized rotor, blued screws, and COSC certification. This division permits Sellita to switch its base actions to a shopper’s wants and right here, the bottom SW510 M was transformed from a cam-operated chronograph to a column wheel mechanism. The motion delivers crisp chronograph motion and a 58-hour energy reserve, which needs to be enough for many homeowners.
As talked about, along with the precise watch, the field set features a Hanhart Addition Timer stopwatch with a dial made only for these restricted editions. On show herein is the grey dial that might include the Crimson x Gray set, which supplies a superb have a look at the anthracite hue that Hanhart has on condition that mannequin. Dwelling in grey and infrequently shifting to one thing nearly taupe, the dial is maybe a bit extra putting than the blue, if not as good. The case is 55mm and sits comfortably within the hand, with crisp actuation of the buttons. Inside, consider it or not, is an in-house motion, the Hanhart Caliber 122. This handbook wind motion delivers a flyback operate and an interrupt choice. The set features a dashboard mounting plate with a leather-based inset with decidedly aspirational “on the Races” textual content and a stand with a foldout assist to be used on a desk or a aircraft or automobile sprint or wherever you race and put stopwatches once they’re on stands.
Whereas not a drastic leap in design, the brand new Hanhart Crimson X Blue and Crimson X Gray exhibit the model’s skill to make small adjustments which have a giant visible impression, even whether it is confined to restricted editions. With the column wheel flyback motion and the smooth handset towards your alternative of blue or grey, the Hanhart presents a chronograph that’s each historic and fashionable. What you do with the additional stopwatch is as much as you. The Hanhart Crimson x Blue chronograph set is priced at $3,180 USD. For extra info, please go to the Hanhart web site.
