Hanhart is a brand that doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves. Its roots go all the way back to 1882 when it was founded in Switzerland, then later moved to Germany. The watchmaker made affordable mechanical stopwatches back in the early 20th century and today carries on its legacy by making affordable mechanical timepieces, notably some nicely-priced chronograph watches. The brand’s latest timepiece isn’t a chronograph, but it is based on a chronograph from the 1950s — the Hanhart 417 — that was used by the West German and even worn by Hollywood icon Steve McQueen.
The new Pioneer One takes on the pilot-inspired look of the classic 417, featuring printed Arabic numerals and the rotating coin-edge bezel (complete with a red 12 o’clock marker) that are direct callbacks to the original. The chronograph function may be gone, but it gives the watch a simple, purposeful-look. The Pioneer One comes rocking a 42mm case and is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement from Sellita.
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