One Week with the Hanhart Pioneer Mk 1

This is a review probably 14 years in the making. New readers of "the Blog Formerly Known as Tempus Fugit" will be unfamiliar with one key piece of Henki history. Back in mid-to-late Autumn of 2011 I got acquainted with the people running Hanhart. One thing led to another, and by June I was an unofficial PR / evangelist for Hanhart. And that first vintage of the "new" Pioneer was pretty good. But a lot has happened between 2011 and now. Least of which include the change of ownership, management, and a quantum leap in terms of quality.

But time waits for no man - or watch reviewer ; )

So let's jump right in -

The Folks at Hanhart were kind enough to include an extra strap to spice things up -

The packaging is similar to what was first utilized by Hanhart back in the day - and that is reassuring!

A cardboard outer box holds a very nicely finished leather roll that secures the Mk1 and will continue to be useful long after other watch company's packaging is aging and molding in your garage or basement ; )

Now packaging aside, a good watch is one you will wear. And to be wearable, it needs to be comfortable, and of a reasonable size. The Mk 1 scores a 10/10 on both counts. The case measures in at 40 mm in diameter, and the lugs are slightly curved. This helps the wearability quite a bit as the Mk 1 is not what would be considered a "skinny" watch with a width of 15 mm. Despite this, the Mk 1 has been a joy to wear. This comfort is enhanced by the attention to detail with the case finishing - not a sharp edge or rough finish to be found. This is a welcome departure compared to many watches that cost as much (if not more) but have the "cheese grater" impact on the wearer's wrist. 

Now it goes without saying, that unlike Playboy, you come to this blog for the writing - not the "pictures", but this will well illustrate the case back finishing. Clearly laid out, clearly identifiable, yet smooth and comfortable to wear.

Also please note the space where the strap attaches to the lugs - a quick release spring bar is utilized! It sounds like a small thing, but this is HUGE! A real pleasure to be able to quickly change straps without a tool - and without potentially scratching your watch! 

Speaking of straps -

I wore both the brown and the black (above) and the quality of the leather, and the finishing was top-shelf. A very definitive improvement from Hanhart's straps in 2012.

Okay, let's address the elephant in the cockpit - a white dialed flieger!

So... when I was offered the opportunity to review a Hanhart, I not only chose this watch (the Pioneer Mk1), but I also chose this dial color. I wanted to review the Mk1 to see if things at Hanhart had changed - and YES - all for the better! But in truth? I wanted to go a little bit deeper. 

I love Steve McQueen. Probably not for the same cinematic reasons as most watch "bros".

I became acquainted with Mr. McQueen watching The Sand Pebbles as a young boy in Northern Ohio. We had a color tv downstairs, and a small black and white tv that I would often "borrow" and move into my room to watch the late night movie. The Sand Pebbles would rotate through Channel 43 (our local UHF channel) at least once if not twice a year. The film also featured Richard Attenborough. I identified with McQueen as the outsider, trying to do the right thing, often misunderstood, but still steadfast in his stance. In essence - to do the right thing because it is the right thing, regardless of the consequences. With that said, although he was a Hanhart owner it was a traditional black dial. I wanted to consider a somewhat "contrary" Hanhart - one with a white dial. 

Watches, like any other item we wear, are subject to classification. When I read or hear "flieger", I picture a somewhat goofy group of watch journalists (almost exclusively men) who have never flown (beyond being a passenger on Swiss Air) but are ready to rhapsodize long and hard about what makes a pilot's watch. If watch companies were solely dependent upon pilots who wanted an "old-timey" watch to wear to harken back to yesteryear, they might have a pretty short runway. With that said, Hanhart is making watches that not only live up to the rigors that pilots might have experienced in the "Big Wars", but actually translate to practical use for non-pilots like yours truly.

I opted for the white dial because I wanted to challenge convention - that a pilot's watch dial had to be black. Apparently it doesn't need to be black, it just needs to be legible. And the Pioneer Mk 1 (white) is absolutely that!

So let's talk about timing -

The Pioneer Mk1 is for realsies! Although, hopefully, nobody reading this will be hopping into a Sopwith Camel to do battle with the Red Baron, the Mk1 would be more than up to the task.

In terms of time keeping the watch was true. I observed a variance of + 5 seconds and -3 seconds over the week.

In terms of power reserve, it exceeded expectations (as well as published predictions) and went 43.34 over the advertised 42 hours. Granted these weren't laboratory tests, but based on GPS time indications.

And now, the phrase that I hate (because it is just dumb) "the value proposition". Let's be real with each other - the Pioneer Mk 1 is not (at least by my standards) an "impulse" buy. In the lower 48, it is priced at $3.490. But at that price it is more than fair in terms of what it delivers. Take away the monopusher chronograph feature and focus on the overall quality of the watch itself. Yes, it is that good!

It is beyond reproach. The time keeping, case finishing, and overall wearing comfort make the Mk1 a watch that stands out beyond it's classification as a pilot's watch or "fliger". 

I have thoroughly enjoyed wearing it, and if you love pilot's watches, but are seeking something a wee-bit different? This could be in your wheel house. I personally highly recommend it!

Here are the pertinents -

CASE: 

DIMENSIONS

• Diameter 40 mm
• Height 15 mm

MATERIAL

• Stainless steel

BEZEL

• Fluted bezel with red marking
• Large crown and red pusher

GLASS

• Convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides

CASE BACK

• Screwed case back

WATER RESISTANCE

• Water-resistant up to 10 bar/10 ATM in accordance with DIN 8310

• 
  Convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides

CASE BACK

• Screwed case back

WATER RESISTANCE

• Water-resistant up to 10 bar/10 ATM in accordance with DIN 8310

MOVEMENT -

CALIBER

• Automatic chronograph movement HAN3601
• Base: ETA7753
• Single lever handle conversion
• 28,800 A/h, 4 Hz, 27 jewels

POWER RESERVE

• 42 hours after full winding

FUNCTIONS

• Small second
• 30-minute counter