Introducing the Hanhart Pioneer One, The No-Frills ‘Flieger’

Time and date, at a modest price.

An archetypal but less widely known fliegerchronograph is the wristwatch made for the Second World War German air force by Hanhart and Tutima.

Distinctive because of its knurled bezel (and occasional red-coated pusher), the chronograph serves as the inspiration for the entry-level Hanhart Pioneer One.

Hanhart Pioneer One 3

More specifically, the Pioneer One is based on the ref. 417 ES of the 1950s, a direct descendent of the Luftwaffe chronograph, but without the historical baggage. The key visual difference between the two were the hands, which were cathedral on the WWII version.

The Pioneer One retains the signature knurled bezel – it’s bidirectional and rotates freely – and syringe-style hands of the ref. 417 ES. The dial, available in black or white, has the characteristic Arabic hour numerals, along with a date at three o’clock.

Hanhart Pioneer One 2

Hanhart Pioneer One 4

The brushed steel case is 42mm in diameter, with a display back that reveals the Sellita SW200 inside. It’s an automatic with a 38-hour power reserve that’s a clone of the ETA 2824.

Hanhart Pioneer One 5

Price and availability 

The Pioneer One is priced at US$1170.


Correction April 19, 2018: The movement inside is the Sellita SW200, not the SW300.

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