Hanhart Primus "Austrian Air Force" Chronograph

Marcus Hanke · 2018-10-31T01:38:47Z

Explore the Hanhart Primus "Austrian Air Force" chronograph, a limited edition 44mm pilot's watch with a modified Sellita SW500 movement and sand-blasted case.

Marcus Hanke

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

9 replies5239 views28 photos

Marcus Hanke shares his personal journey with the Hanhart Primus "Austrian Air Force" chronograph, a limited edition piece he acquired with a touch of patriotic fervor. His detailed review highlights the watch's unique features and the unexpected delight of its arrival, offering collectors a close look at this distinctive Hanhart model.

It must have been in a moment of patriotic enthusiasm when I placed an order, just after Hanhart presented pictures of its chronograph dedicated to the Austrian military, and limited to 100 pieces. Yet thereafter, I forgot the issue and was puzzled at first when - several months later - the delivery of the timepiece was announced and I was politely asked to send the money.

After my initial confusion was overcome, I looked forward to the watch, and was not disappointed when I held it in my hands.

The "Primus" is not a newcomer in Hanhart's line-up of chronographs, being there with a manifold of variants since about six years. The only clue marking the limited edition I have received is the red-white-red coat of arms of Austria, with a beautifully crafted silver eagle applied to it, being the sign of the Austrian Air Force. Well, for historical and political reasons, this "Air Force" is barely worth to be mentioned, but for me as Austrian and fan of fast planes alike, this watch is a nice addition to the collection.

It is offered in threee different finishes of the stainless steel case: polished, sand-blasted or DLC-coated. Having already a few black cased watches, I opted for the matte sand-blasted finish, which was very fashionable some ten years ago, but has virtually disappeared from the market since.

Speaking of the case, it has massive dimensions, with 44mm diameter and a height of 15mm. However, the cleverly designed movable lugs permit it to comfortably fit also on smaller wrists. The instrumental design of the dial is very legible, with many elements treated with luminous mass.

The movement choice is noteworthy: The bi-compax subdial layout of a running second at 9 and thirty minutes counter at 3 originally made me believe Hanhart had used the Valjoux 7753 variant. However, this version does not have the date quicksetting function via the crown, but offers a separate pusher at 11 to serve this purpose. Since the pictures did not show any sign of this pusher, I was worried Hanhart could have committed the same folly as Breitling, deleting the possibility of quickly setting the date altogether. A query at the manufacturer dispersed my worries: Hanhart uses a specially modified Sellita cal. SW500, basically a 7750 clone. It was re-worked to relocate the thirty minutes counter from 12 to 3, but retained the original crown functionality to quick-set the date.

Additionally, this movement offers the smoothest chrono pusher operation I ever experienced in a 7750 class chronograph. It is really a joy to operate them. btw, the red coating on the reset pusher is a design element typical for Hanhart chronographs already since the 1940s.

The watch came on a magnificent textile strap with an also sand-blasted folding clasp.

If there is something to criticize it is that the fluted bezel and red marking at 12 are suggesting a rotating pilot's bezel where there is none, since this part is a fixed component of the case. This is really sad, since it would have been possible to make a classic pilot-watch revolving bezel (together with the sapphire crystal) without having to increase the attractive price of 2,700 Euros too much. Of course, such a construction would not have permitted its current depth rating of 100 meters. But 50 meters, as I recently had on an Oris Big Crown watch with revolving bezel/crystal unit, would have been perfectly enough for a chronograph without screw-down pushers.

Generally, this Primus chronograph is a rather unique interpretation of the endless "pilot's chronograph" theme, with an interesting movement choice and excellent quality of finish.

Marcus

Key Points from the Discussion

The screws on the dial of the Primus are a design motif intended to evoke the appearance of cockpit instruments, aligning with the watch's aviation theme.
The author provides additional context on the political and historical complexities surrounding Austria's Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition and its planned phase-out, explaining the background for his earlier comment about the Austrian Air Force.
A fellow collector expresses appreciation for the report and images, noting a personal dislike for the 'screws' on the dial.
A community member questions the Austrian Air Force's decision to phase out modern Eurofighter Typhoons for older generation aircraft like the SAAB Gripen or Lockheed-Martin F16.

The Discussion

MCG (Markus)

Oct 31, 2018

Congratulations Marcus! 👍🏻🍀😃 Thanks very much for the nice report the superb pics. The ONLY thing I do not like are the „screws“ (?) on the dial...

MTF

Oct 31, 2018

MCG, I think the screws are a design motif to evoke cockpit instruments.... Regards, MTF Airspeed Indicator Rate of Climb Indicator B&R Phantom and St Galen ABR

MTF

Oct 31, 2018

Marcus, The Hanhart red-button chronographs are well known and I looked at a few during the time that old PuristS friend Thomas Morf was in charge of the brand. He now leads Favre-Leuba. I'm puzzled by the Austrian Airforce. It has one of the more modern frontline aircraft - Eurofighter Typhoon - last delivered in 2009 but is phasing it out in 2020. The proposed replacements are the SAAB Gripen or Lockheed-Martin F16, which are older generation aircraft?!? Eh? Regards, MTF

Marcus Hanke

Nov 1, 2018

... but only now I realized the asymmetrical position of the slits - very unusual. Marcus

Marcus Hanke

Nov 1, 2018

The decision for the Typhoon was made by the then conservative government, violating the "rule" that Austria was "SAAB country" during all the years of the social democratic government. At the time of the bids, the Typhoon was clarly the better aircraft over the Gripen, that was offered at a far too high price by an over-confident SAAB leadership. However, the later reduction of the Typhoon force in numbers and equipment massively truncated its abilities. Since politics never was happy with the

MTF

Nov 2, 2018

Marcus Thanks for explanation Like most political scenarios, there is the public face and then there is what lurks beneath. 😉 MTF

Hanhart Primus "Austrian Air Force" Chronograph

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