Last year, we took a detailed look at the HP Hercules Hand-Wound Double-Barreled watch.
Today, I will do the same but with one important feature: instead of a stainless steel case, this version uses a fully polished tantalum case. Tantalum is known to be a very dense metal, making the watch significantly heavier and more difficult to work with. This is why watches made of tantalum are often much more expensive than their steel counterparts. The same applies to the HP Hercules, although in its segment, it remains reasonably priced.
If you search for watches with a tantalum case on our site, you'll find models from brands like H. Moser & Cie, Ming, Fleming, and Urwerk. However, all these watches are priced between 32,000 and 77,000 Swiss francs. An exception is the Zelos Nova - a limited series of tantalum watches costing only 1,999 USD. However, this model is mostly sold out. Thus, the HP Hercules Polished Tantalum, priced at 14,995 euros, looks like a very attractive option for those interested in tantalum. Let's see what exactly you get for this price.
History of Henzi & Pfaff Hercules
The original Hercules watches were created by Henzi & Pfaff in the city of Pforzheim. With a reputation for reliable and elegant models, they reached their peak popularity in 1953 when mountaineer Hermann Buhl conquered Nanga Parbat (one of the few peaks above 8000 meters) with Hercules watches on his wrist. The brand faded during the quartz crisis, like many others. Seventy years later, Buhl's story remains central to the modern Hercules brand. Now the watches are made in Switzerland, combining vintage design with an alpine theme.
Let's focus more on the watches themselves.
HP Hercules with Polished Tantalum Case
Let's start with the case, as it is the key feature of this version of the HP Hercules. The case diameter is 40 mm, the thickness is 9.4 mm, and the lug-to-lug distance is 46 mm. The sides of the case and the bezel are rounded, and the lugs are quite short for a watch of this diameter. The lug width is 20 mm, allowing for easy strap changes.
Tantalum is a very dense metal, which is difficult to machine and polish. Its color differs from stainless steel: it has a dark gray tint closer to blue, unlike the more brownish tint of titanium. This gives tantalum a more luxurious appearance, whereas titanium looks more utilitarian. This is especially noticeable on the polished version of the HP Hercules. If you prefer a more utilitarian style, you can choose a model with a sandblasted case.
Expedition Style Dial
The HP Hercules dial is designed in a classic explorer watch style. It features Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions, with applied markers between. The polished hour and minute hands are equipped with luminescent material, and small lume dots are placed next to the hour markers. This makes it easier to read the time in low light conditions, such as during a mountain ascent at dawn.
Different dial color options are available: Snow White, Ice Blue, Ice Pink, and Ice Green. All of them have a textured surface. There is also a classic black dial without texture. I personally dealt with the Snow White variant - it creates the impression of freshly fallen snow, with a texture that feels so soft and realistic. This texture pairs perfectly with the theme of explorer watches.
Movement with Illumination
Inside the HP Hercules is a movement from Manufacture Horlogère Vallée de Joux from Le Sentier, Switzerland. This is a manual movement with two barrels, providing a power reserve of up to 120 hours. The balance frequency is 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement uses 26 jewels, and the bridges are decorated with sunray finishing. Notably, the bridges feature topographic engravings of Nanga Parbat, which are illuminated with BRW9 Super-LumiNova. This looks particularly striking in the dark.
The dual-barrel movement is certified as a chronometer by Timelab in Geneva according to ISO 3159 standards. This means the accuracy ranges from -4 to +6 seconds per day. The advantage is that the certification is conducted after the movement is installed in the case. ISO certification does not include water resistance testing, but the HP Hercules is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Weight on the Wrist
When first encountering the HP Hercules in a tantalum case, its weight is immediately noticeable. It is significantly heavier than steel, which is noticeable if you're used to stainless steel, like me. The color difference is also striking: the more silvery shade of steel and the dark gray of tantalum. I really like the contrast with the bright white dial - this effect is impossible to achieve with steel watches. I also appreciate the luminescent bridges of the movement, although you can only see them on the bedside table.
This is a quality watch with excellent finishing, a good movement, and an expressive textured dial. However, there is no "wow" factor here. Nevertheless, the tantalum case is a pleasant and unusual addition. And as you saw at the beginning of the article, the price of the HP Hercules is quite reasonable. If you are interested in tantalum and are not ready to spend more than 15,000 euros, the HP Hercules can be a good choice.
Receive the Watch by Helicopter
HP Hercules manufactures watches only to order. If you decide to purchase a model, be sure to pick it up at the brand's boutique in St. Prex. You will be met by helicopter and taken to a traditional mountain restaurant in the Swiss Alps, where the watch will be presented to you during dessert.
Share your thoughts on the HP Hercules Polished Tantalum in the comments.