The Hanhart Primus Fly Navy brings back articulating lugs and imposing dimensions
D.C. Hannay- Germany’s Hanhart is back with a new special edition of their distinctive Primus automatic chronograph, the Primus Fly Navy.
- As part of their Primus collection, the watches feature the unique flexible lug design the Primus is known for.
- Offered in four variants, the watch pays tribute to German naval aviation, and is limited to 150 total pieces.
Hanhart has a long history of iconic pilot’s models, from the conservative to the unique, and one of their most individualistic designs is the brutally avant-garde Primus series, with its instrument-like aesthetics and uniquely articulated lug construction. The latest of the Primus Pilot models comes in the form of a limited-to-150 edition that pays homage to Germany’s naval pilots, the bold blue Primus Fly Navy, available in four different variants.
The Primus Fly Navy’s case is not going to go unnoticed. This is a 44mm diameter watch that’s almost all dial, so the face appears larger than you might be used to. The case height is a substantial 15mm, and it wears every millimetre due to its nearly straight sides, but the dimensions are proportional to each other. Lug-to-lug varies, due to the articulated construction, so this beast is going to fit a wider range of wrists. I find the lugs to be the party piece of the watch, resembling pinball flippers in both look and action.
The bezel features a red marker at 12, echoing the famous Hanhart red chrono reset pusher. Said pusher resides at 4, with the start/stop pusher at 2. Both are satisfyingly oversized, as is the grippy screw-down crown, which clocks in at a girthy 8.5mm, and helps ensure 100 metres of water resistance. The Fly Navy comes in both plain stainless and PVD black versions, and speaking of choices, the visible caseback is available in your choice of logo from either the MFG3 or MFG5 coats of arms, the two German naval squadrons honored by the limited edition, bringing the total variant count up to four. But the nautical details don’t end there.
The dial recalls the look of cockpit flight instruments, with broad hour markers, super-legible skeletonised hands, and an easy-reading dual register layout. Swiss Super-LumiNova is abundant, including the outer part of the handset, subdial hands, and hour and minute markers. The blue dial features a matte finish, excepting the snailed texture of the subdials. Pops of yellow appear in the trident counterweight of the second hand, and on the naval aviation logo above the 6 o’clock date window.
Timekeeping duties are handled by the Sellita SW510, an auto-winding chronograph sporting a beat rate of 28,800vph, 27 jewels, and a 42-hour power reserve. The movement has a clean, if mostly unadorned look through the visible sapphire caseback, with the darkened rotor showcasing the Fly Navy edition name and limited edition number.
The strap is a padded textile design, with the steel cased models getting blue versions, and the PVD models receiving black. They’re lined in leather for comfort, and both feature a folding clasp in matching metal finishes. The Primus is a funky design, to be sure, but I happen to dig the cut of its jib. It was visually arresting when first released, and even more so in this blue dial variant with its bright yellow accents. It’s uniquely eye-catching, surprisingly comfortable for a larger watch, and it looks the business if your style leans toward military-inspired pieces. If you’re comfortable with the size, the Primus Fly Navy makes for a bold statement piece.
Hanhart Primus Fly Navy pricing and availability
The Hanhart Primus Fly Navy is available for pre-order now, limited to 150 total pieces. Price: €2,690 (steel), €3,190 (black PVD version)
| Brand | Hanhart |
| Model | Primus Fly Navy |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 15mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel (black PVD optional) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | AR-coated convex sapphire front, display caseback |
| Dial | Blue |
| Lug Width | 24mm |
| Strap | Blue or black textile |
| Movement | Sellita SW510, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited to 150 total pieces |
| Price | €2,690 (steel) €3,190 (black PVD) |