INTRODUCING: The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II Reverse Panda
Fergus NashWith a name like Pioneer, it should come as no surprise that the Hanhard Pioneer Mk I and Mk II have some significant historical relevance. Built around the ‘Calibre 40’ movement, these watches were originally designed in the late 1930s for German pilots and soon became fairly legendary. The now-iconic red accents on the bezel and chronograph pusher have become instantly recognisable as a Hanhart trait, and made popular in the United States thanks to being worn by a certain Steve McQueen. The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II have since been recreated for modern audiences, at first in all-black or all-white configurations, but now with attractive reverse panda colour schemes.
The only difference between the Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II is the number of pushers, as the Mk I was originally released in 1938 with a monopusher movement for both the starting, stopping, and resetting of the chronograph. The Mk II came about one year later, with the second pusher allowing the chronograph to be started again from the stopping point without resetting it. In 2022, Hanhart use an ETA 7753 that has been modified to work with one or two pushers and offers great accuracy, reliability, and serviceability. This automatic movement has a beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a minimum of 42 hours of power reserve on a full wind.
The case is a clear classic, and perfectly embodies its vintage spirit without coming across as overly kitschy or impractical. The lugs have straight-clipped tips that lend it a rather stern look, complimented by the coin-edge bezel which is a sophisticated relic of its era. Leaning into the classic aviation look is the riveted leather strap, ensuring no confusion that this is first and foremost a tool watch. The dimensions are fairly wrist-friendly, splitting the difference between the typical vintage smallness and the assumption that pilot watches must be big at 40mm. The lug-to-lug length is 49mm, giving it substantial presence without overshooting an average wrist. Including the domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the total thickness is 15mm.
The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II benefits greatly from the reverse panda treatment, with the white subdials providing some much-needed contrast that livens up the dial and improves legibility. The bicompax layout is simple to follow as it displays the accumulated minutes and a running seconds hand, with a red hand indicating a link to the chronograph functionalities. Not only are they easy to read, but the tips are also curved towards the dial to reduce any parallax error from viewing it at an angle. The cathedral hands for the hour and minutes provide an old-world charm inspired by pocket watches as well as being full of bright luminous paint.
The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II Reverse Panda pricing and availability:
The Hanhart Pioneer Mk I and Mk II will not be limited in their reverse panda colour scheme, and you can visit their website here to order online or find a dealer near you. Price: 1,990 EUR (Mk II) / 2,090 EUR (Mk I)
| Brand | Hanhart |
| Model | Pioneer Mk I and Mk II |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 15mm x 49mm (Diameter x Thickness x L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Reverse panda |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Leather |
| Movement | ETA 7753 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | €1,990 (Mk II) / €2,090 (Mk I) |