Hanhart Desert Pilot

Courtesy of Hanhart

Okay, yes, I realize that I am somewhat Hanhart obsessed.  That perhaps, I don't know, maybe I've got Diessenhofen "on the brain".  But the new Desert Pilot from Hanhart has got to be just about the singular coolest thing that I've seen in some time.  I got to see it and try it at Basel and again in Las Vegas - and I have to admit that my Pioneer Mk I is starting to get a little bit jealous of all of the time that I am spending admiring this new Primus model.  It is really that great!

Courtesy of Hanhart

I think what I like most about it is the complete sense of departure from previous Hanhart Primus models - this is something completely different.  But that departure has not forgotten the DNA of the Primus line.  There is nothing wrong with Black or Silver - but this is a really great change of pace - something at once different but familiar.  


So here are the specs - 

PRIMUS Desert Pilot

Movement: HAN3809 modified automatic chronograph movement (bicompax), based on the Valjoux 7750 calibre; 28,800 vibrations per hour, 4 Hz; 28 jewels; rotor with a skeletonised Hanhart logo; power reserve of min. 42 hours

Functions: Small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, date display at 6 o’clock

Case: Sand-blasted stainless steel; anodised aluminium red reset button; fluted bezel with inlaid red marking; convex, internally anti-reflective sapphire glass; screwed-down, internally anti-reflective sapphire glass case back; large screw-in crown; flexible lugs; diameter 44 mm, height 15 mm; water-resistant to 10 bar/100 m

Dial: Sand-coloured; with black Super-LumiNova®-coated, luminous Arabic numeral, index marks and hands

Strap: Fabric strap; folding clasp with inlaid red marking (anodised aluminum) made from sand-blasted stainless steel

For you North Americans out there, the really good news is that there is now an OFFICIAL Hanhart Distributor who will be bringing Hanhart-goodness to a friendly neighborhood retail partner near you in the coming months!