Hanhart, a German watch brand with Swiss roots, has been producing Flieger (pilot) chronographs since 1938. The first pilot watch by Hanhart was the legendary monopusher “Calibre 40”, quickly followed by iconic models like the Hanhart 417 ES, the first pilot chronograph for the German armed forces, and the Tachytele Pilot’s Chronograph from 1939. All these models are still alive today, thanks to modern materials and new movements. Today, the brand launches a new pilot chronograph, the #FliegerFriday Edition, with a modern black DLC-coated case and a striking blue dial. Although the brand has chosen the social media hashtag #FliegerFriday, the watch is essentially a Pioneer TwinControl chronograph.
The TwinControl model pays homage to Hanhart's pilot chronographs equipped with the 1939 Calibre 41 movement with two pushers, one of which is colored red to avoid unintended resets. The original Calibre 41 chronograph movement with a column wheel and flyback function created an extremely legible bicompax (two-register) layout, which has endured over time and is characteristic of all Hanhart wrist chronographs. Other features reminiscent of its predecessors include the piston chronograph pushers with the signature red reset pusher at the “4 o'clock” position and the top pusher asymmetrically placed concerning the lug.
BLACK DLC CASE
The most striking feature of the Hanhart #FliegerFriday Edition is the black DLC-coated stainless steel case. While accustomed to seeing these vintage-style watches in steel cases with or without Hanhart's fluted bezel, this latest series features a modern Diamond-Like Carbon coating, which not only changes the watch’s appearance but also protects the case surface from wear and corrosion. Like other TwinControl models, the case diameter is 42 mm, the height is 15 mm, and the iconic red reset pusher at the “4 o'clock” position is protected by a ceramic/polymer HyCeram compound. The watch is protected by a convex anti-reflective sapphire crystal at the front and a screwed-down case back, with a water resistance of 100 m.
VIBRANT BLUE DIAL
While current TwinControl models feature classic white or black dials, this #FliegerFriday Edition series displays are set against an appealing royal blue backdrop. As with the black dial variants, this vibrant blue color creates a stark contrast for the straightforward bicompax layout. The precise seconds/minutes track along the perimeter is white, and the central chronograph seconds hand has a red tip, as does the 30-minute chronograph counter hand. Opposite the 30-minute sub-dial is a small seconds counter, both featuring inner snails and white markings.
The resemblance between the TwinControl dial and the original “Calibre 41” is striking, lending this model an undeniable vintage aura. However, the twin counters on the vintage model are smaller and located along the dial's perimeter. The new movement provides a more balanced and central placement of the sub-dials, which are slightly recessed and positioned between the 2 and 4 and 8 and 10 o'clock. The pointed cathedral-style hour hand and syringe minute hand are similar to the original and filled with Super-LumiNova, emitting a cool green glow in the dark. Unlike the “Calibre 41”, there is a date window at the “6 o'clock” position with a black background and white numbers.
AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT
The #FliegerFriday Edition is equipped with the HAN3809 caliber, a movement based on the reliable architecture of the ETA/Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph with La Joux-Perret modification. The modification alters the traditional 6-9-12 sub-dial arrangement to a more balanced two-register (3 and 9) layout, with the small seconds and 30-minute counters slightly off the axis of the hands. Otherwise, the technical specifications are identical to the standard 7750 model – a cam-actuated chronograph, operating at 4 Hz, with a power reserve of 42 hours.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The blue bull leather strap with a suede finish and red cross-stitching at the lugs is just right. It not only echoes the dial's color scheme but also imparts a relaxed modern vibe to the watch. The Hanhart #FliegerFriday Edition is limited to 100 pieces and is sold for 2,490 euros (including tax).
For more information and to order, please visit the Hanhart website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – HANHART #FLIEGERFRIDAY EDITION
Case: 42 mm diameter x 15 mm height – stainless steel with black DLC coating – red Hyceram pusher at “4 o'clock” – convex sapphire crystal with AR over dial – screw-down case back with engraved limitation number XXX/100 – water resistance 100 m.
Dial: blue – numerals, hands, and indices with Super-LumiNova coating – 30-minute chronograph counter at “3”, small seconds at “9 o'clock” – central chronograph seconds hand with red tip and 30-minute counter hand – date window at “6 o'clock”
Movement: HAN 3809 ETA/Valjoux 7750 (or SW500) with La Joux-Perret modification – automatic – cam-actuated chronograph – 28,000 vph – 42h power reserve – stop-seconds and quick-set date
Strap: blue bull leather with suede finish – red cross-stitching at lugs – steel buckle with black DLC coating – lug width 21 mm
Availability: limited edition of 100 pieces
Price: 2,490 EURO