The Hanhart Pioneer Silva shows the brand aren’t a one-flieger pony
Fergus Nash- The Hanhart Pioneer Silva uses vintage inspiration for a versatile package.
- It serves as a reminder that Hanhart aren’t a one-flieger pony.
- With black or white dials available, the Pioneer Silva neatly balances different eras for a timeless look.
Hanhart have had their fair share of the limelight in the past few years, mainly thanks to the 417 ES pilot’s watch and its variants that helped enthusiasts harness their inner Steve McQueen. Although plenty of brands are happy to revolve their entire catalogue around fliegers, Hanhart’s legacy is far more diverse. The new Hanhart Pioneer Silva takes its inspiration from a model within their museum, drenched in mid-century charm without feeling antiquated.
Replicating a vintage watch is pretty much a guaranteed success in today’s watch market, especially for a brand with established heritage like Hanhart. That said, the saturation of vintage reproductions means that they no longer stand out like they used to, and they don’t leave much room for creativity. The Hanhart Pioneer Silva uses the silhouette and layout of the vintage Kal 36/39 within their own museum, but gives it some contemporary polish that ups the versatility and sleekness. Instead of the brushed salmon dial with blued hands and a gold case, the Pioneer Silva is toned down with a steel case and black or white dials.
The case of the Hanhart Pioneer Silva deftly balances its vintage nuance with modern style, with slightly thicker lugs enhancing a more casual vibe. The 38.5mm diameter carries a lot of presence thanks to the thin bezel allowing for a larger dial, and the 44mm lug-to-lug length should fit most wrists comfortably. The 10mm height should slip under cuffs whenever required, and although the 50m water resistance isn’t suitable for swimming it’s more than enough for peace of mind.
The style of the dial is very typical of the 1940s and ‘50s, with alternating Arabic numerals and applied dots to mark the hours. It’s a simple and sophisticated display that’s neither too casual nor too formal, perfect for daily wear. The white and black variants are equally easy to read thanks to their high contrast, so you don’t need to compromise for sticking with your preferences.
Powering the Hanhart Pioner Silva is the Sellita SW200, customised with a black winding rotor bearing the historic Hanhart logo. The SW200 is one of the most popular off-the-shelf Swiss movements for good reason, largely due to its reliable performance and affordability. Not only are they easy to buy, but they’re also easy to service thanks to a wealth of aftermarket and compatible components. The beat rate is 4Hz for a smooth sweep of the seconds hand, and the power reserve is good enough for daily wear at 38 hours.
The Hanhart Pioneer Silva pricing and availability:
The Hanhart Pioneer Silva is available now from Hanhart’s website and retailers. Price: €890 (VAT inclusive)
| Brand | Hanhart |
| Model | Pioneer Silva |
| Case Dimensions | 38.5mm (D) x 44mm (L2L) x 10mm (H) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | White or black |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Black leather or steel mesh bracelet |
| Movement | SW200 |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | €890 (VAT inclusive) |