The Watch Industry and the Transfer Window - Hanhart

Alas it seems as if the rumors swirling around Hanhart appear to be true.  Thomas Morf has left Hanhart and the brand is now being led by Ronald Grob who is acting as the Interim CEO.  Again, while this rumor has been in motion for quite some time, I wanted to be sure of the details, and this morning received word from the Head of Communication & PR for the Gaydoul Group, which is the holding company that owns the majority shares of Hanhart.

So with the absence of Hanhart at this year's BaselWorld, and closer to home most likely not attending SWISS Watch JCK in Las Vegas in June (anyone with more definitive info on that please feel free to let me know!), it becomes a question as to how Hanhart will move forward from here.  On the one hand it would seem that at least one key person remains on board - Klaus Eble, a 40 year Hanhart veteran will be responsible for the production side.  But to be very honest, I am not sure if things really can be the same.  In the past, Hanhart had some interesting watches, and a rich (if not well publicized) history.  I think of it a lot like Wonka's chocolate factory.  It was there, but until Willy Wonka revealed himself, and the factory, it hadn't really come to life.

Enter Thomas Morf in 2010 and suddenly there was interest, there were things to talk about!  New products started to appear, and slowly but surely, more and more people became aware of Hanhart.  Two of the most anticipated releases are yet to arrive - the Desert Pilot and the Racemaster.  I guess for me, it just seems somehow unfinished.  My sincere hope is that Hanhart, and I guess more appropriately the Gaydoul Group will find a way to get things settled, and hopefully not completely lose the momentum gained in the past 24 months.  Thomas Morf was a champion of the brand, and that kind of enthusiasm, vision and charisma you don't always find in one person.

I myself do not want to see Hanhart disappear, and by that, I mean return to the quite, anonymous little brand that it was not so long ago.  I know and accept that I am a hopeless romantic, and my sincere hope is that there is at least one more "twist in the tale" so that for those of us Hanhart fans out there, there will be a happy ending.

It's hard not to be romantic about watches.

Waiting for the Racemaster

Courtesy of Hanhart

Like many of you, I do find it somewhat frustrating when watch releases are announced, and the delivery or even "appearance" date of said watch is "TBD", but in the case of Hanhart's new Racemaster series, I am willing to wait a bit.  It is just too cool!  If Steve McQueen were alive, this would be his choice!


www.hanhart.com

Catching up with Thomas Morf and Hanhart

Courtesy of Hanhart

Thomas Morf was kind enough to get me caught up on the latest developments at Hanhart -

Courtesy of Hanhart

James Henderson - The development of the new Pioneer Racemaster has created quite a buzz.  Is this going to be a "one-off" or do you see it evolving into more of a unique (and permanent) member of the Hanhart family?

Thomas Morf - The Pioneer Racemaster indeed has raised great interest amongst the trade and consumers.  It's a thoroughbred Racing Chronograph and it features vintage racing elements and different chronograph functions that are so typical Hanhart. 

Courtesy of Hanhart

The ultra cool thing beside a great design and nice functions is the HDS Pro steel case, which makes it 3 times harder, 100 times more scratch resistant and 100% nickel free.  The Pioneer Racemaster is a new member within our Pioneer collection and will be enhanced with other functions in the years to come. 

Courtesy of Hanhart

Currently we have 3 different models the Racemaster GT, the Racemaster GTM and the Racemaster GTF.  My all time favorite line........

JH - With North America now open, where do you see the next market developments for Hanhart?

TM - Since Hanhart is a small watch brand, our funds to expand in every market are too limited.  We're focusing strongly in the markets, where we're currently active and successful. The US market is part of that strategy too, since our utilitarian approach is very well understood and liked.  If good market opportunities come up, we definitely look into it.

JH - What has been the "hottest" Hanhart model this past year? 

TM - It's always the one we can't deliver, since these models were presented in the spring (Pioneer Stealth 1882 or Primus Desert Pilot) 

Courtesy of Hanhart

or the Pioneer Racemaster presented in autumn.  In our regular collection it's our classic line up with the 40mm Chronographs and the Primus Racer. 

JH - Who is the current Hanhart customer?

TM - The typical Hanhart customer is the one who owns iconic timepieces already and he likes all the things big boys like.  Aviation, racing, boating and water sports. He then wants something new, but with history and coolness, no artificially created stuff.  Then, Hanhart comes into that relevant set of brands.

JH - Your third BaselWorld with Hanhart is coming this April, how have things changed in the past three years?  What are some of the highlights?

TM - A lot: We've changed the strategy without going different direction.  Hanhart has a great history and legitimacy in the field of utilitarian instrument watches.  That's what we still do today, but much more strategic. 

Our organisation had to undergo a re-engineering process.  More professionalism went into the whole organisation.  From creation, engineering, production, marketing sales and service. Everything had to go to the next level.  There is no specific highlight but the one, that Hanhart has now all the ingredients to conquer the world.  We're ready for the challenge.