The German watchmaker Hanhart has recently released a bunch of new chronograph timepieces that belong to their Pioneer family. While the previous pair of models are more conformist in their appearance and look more or less like your usual vintage-style chronograph, the Hanhart Pioneer TachyTele Chronograph Automatic easily draws attention to itself with its more unusual exterior.
While the Pioneer Mk I and Mk II chronographs look very, err, very normal (I could easily have mistaken them with the well-known Hamilton Conservation Auto Chronograph if not for a different color scheme and smaller case size,) the Pioneer TachyTele sports a less usual dial layout.
As you can see on the pictures, the bi-compax dial has been further decorated with a telemeter scale that runs along the minute track, as well as a tachymeter scale, which is printed in its center (in this respect the watch reminds the gorgeous Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 Vintage Chronographe (ref. 106167) that was revealed early last year.)
While the tachymeter scale lets you measure the velocity of an object, the telemeter scale allows you to measure the distance to an event (like a lightning strike or, God forbid, a distant explosion.) When you see a flash of light, you only have to start the chronograph and stop it again when the first sound of thunder reaches your ear.
Or you can simply count the number of Mississippis, multiply it roughly by 300 and get the approximate distance to the event in meters.
All the data, which is presented on the dial, is easily legible.
The hour and minute hands, as well as the Arabic numerals, are covered with white Superluminova, the small seconds hand at 9 hours is black, while the chronograph hands are red, as are the tachymeter and telemeter scale, which makes reading the watch even easier.
There are additional red elements on the body (at 12 hours on the bidirectional fluted bezel and on the chronograph reset button at 4 o’clock,) but, to my opinion, they somehow detract from the vintage spirit of the timekeeper. Perhaps, it would be better if the paint had a more brownish look to it, I don’t know.
Presented in a satin-finished stainless steel case 40 millimeters in diameter and less than 14 millimeters high, the watch is animated by the HAN3601 automatic movement, which is in fact a slightly modified ETA Valjoux 7753 ebauche, which is known for its reliability and robustness.
There is still no information regarding the timekeeper’s price* and availability.
See also: Baume & Mercier Capeland Flyback Chronograph (refs. M0A10006 & M0A10007)
Photos: Hanhart
* UPDATE ON PRICE: According to Hanhart’s official website, the watch is offered at €2320 (MSRP.)
Hanhart Pioneer TachyTele Chronograph specification
Price: €2320 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber HAN3601, base ETA Valjoux 7753 ebauche, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Movement decoration: Branded oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, telemeter, tachymeter
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Case height: 13.70 mm
Dial: Off-white
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Black
Hands: Luminous (Superluminova)
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Brown calfskin strap with riveting; stainless steel pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, internal antireflective coating
Back: Screw-down
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Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.