Replacing Seiko Alpinist with Hanhart Pioneer One
Finally the day has come - my new Hanhart Pioneer One has arrived.
This watch is replacing my Seiko Alpinist SPB201J as my daily driver/beater watch. I wrote already about my gripe towards my Seiko Alpinsit ( misaligned compass bezel, rubbish movement accuracy and leather strap, pedestrian finishing all around the case and on the movement ... for the price ) so not adding more there.
My journey to find new piece ( simple three hander with date ) was quite thurall and after few candidates I chose Hanhart. This process lead me also to many microbrands that are popular/hyped now and offer "great value" but oftenly we forget the well established but less known brands.
Talking value here just look at the packaging ( high quality leather pouch some stores charge 100-200€, comfortable and thick/high quality leather strap that easily beats my other more expensive watches, pen and key chain ) and overall quality of the watch. The mid case design is reminding me of my Speedy and more brands should take that approach instead of simple slab sided case design.
All in all happy to have this Hanhart and as my comment to all take a look at some established but lesser known brands like Hanhart before immediately jumping on hyped microbrands bandwagon.
No snobbery, respect for all watches and watch collectors
How much was she ?
How much was she ?
990€, free shipping
https://www.hanhart.com/en/product/pioneer-one-2/
Very nice. I really can't speak to the Alpinist, I'd really have to see that watch in person. But overall I agree, smaller yet established brands that have a limited yet successful offering are worth looking at.
No doubt. The German’s make great watches. Even their homage brand Steinhart produce well made copies of Rolex’s popular models.
Very nice replacement. I always peruse Watchbuys website to see all those great German brands.
It's one of my absolute favorite brands! Awesome+
No doubt. The German’s make great watches. Even their homage brand Steinhart produce well made copies of Rolex’s popular models.
Very nice replacement. I always peruse Watchbuys website to see all those great German brands.
My first german watch. Had Sinn 556 on my radar too but this speaks to me more
It's one of my absolute favorite brands! Awesome+
Agree, oftenly overlooked great brand. More known for chronos ( on my future buy list too ) but this one also packs great value accross the board
Very nice. I really can't speak to the Alpinist, I'd really have to see that watch in person. But overall I agree, smaller yet established brands that have a limited yet successful offering are worth looking at.
Alpinist is a classic with somewhat cult following status but didn't do much for me. Had it for 2 years and due to mentioned reasons sold it
Very cool. I'm of the same opinion, I'd rather go small historic brand than overly hyped microbrand. 👍🏻
Congrats! I have a better appreciation of the company after Urban Gentry did his video. Before, I'd had no idea about their long history.
Congrats! I have a better appreciation of the company after Urban Gentry did his video. Before, I'd had no idea about their long history.
Thanks. Yea I knew about them before but TGV video showed the insider story of this wonderfull brand and passionate people behind it
Thanks. Yea I knew about them before but TGV video showed the insider story of this wonderfull brand and passionate people behind it
Yeah, I never knew about the Steve Mcqueen connection until the video. Not that I care so much about celebrities, but since it was his personal choice, it does matter to me.
Yeah, I never knew about the Steve Mcqueen connection until the video. Not that I care so much about celebrities, but since it was his personal choice, it does matter to me.
Same here and fully agree, that was his personal choice and speaks volume.
Excellent choice!👍
Fantastic choice! Love the look and feel of Hanhart. 👌🏻
I have been looking for a chrono and one of them is on my short list.
You will like the following video which is a tour of the Hanhart factory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cGHqAPMliE
Im so happy for you. That is definitely an upgrade. I just wish I have bigger wrist to be wearing that.
Thank you. Fortunately at 19,5cm wrist size I can pull off preety much anything🙂
I have been looking for a chrono and one of them is on my short list.
You will like the following video which is a tour of the Hanhart factory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cGHqAPMliE
Thanks, seen this. Luckily there are still some YTers that occasionally forget algorithms and show us such brands
Yeah, I've never understood the appeal of the Alpinist. Even the earlier SARB017, the overly ornate hands, the juxtaposition of gilt and silver, and the most useless complication ever (the compass bezel), were all hard "nopes" for me. This Hanhart though; the non-diver, timer bezel is something that doesn't get nearly enough love. It's a brilliant add-on for a field watch, or most any watch if done right, and Hanhart does it right. I would love to see a day/date version, and I would like to see more robust and better articulated/curved lugs (are watch collectors ever happy?), but it's about as perfect as I've ever seen in this category of watch.
Congrats on the Hanhart! It’s a gorgeous watch and wear it in good health
I absolutely love this watch! 😃
Yeah, I've never understood the appeal of the Alpinist. Even the earlier SARB017, the overly ornate hands, the juxtaposition of gilt and silver, and the most useless complication ever (the compass bezel), were all hard "nopes" for me. This Hanhart though; the non-diver, timer bezel is something that doesn't get nearly enough love. It's a brilliant add-on for a field watch, or most any watch if done right, and Hanhart does it right. I would love to see a day/date version, and I would like to see more robust and better articulated/curved lugs (are watch collectors ever happy?), but it's about as perfect as I've ever seen in this category of watch.
I, too have been puzzled by the love that the Alpinist gets. Your comment reflects my own hard nope issues. The Hanhart is far and away a better watch in my opinion. And if you love the Alpinist, no problem with me - the great thing about this hobby is the wonderful variety we can revel in!
I have a Hanhart Pioneer 417 chronograph 39mm. Having previously had a Sinn103 I prefer the Hanhart for its size, dial layout, manual wind and bund strap.
I tried the Pioneer 1 recently but it’s lug to lug was disappointingly too long on my slender wrist. Had it fitted better I’d have got the blue dial. If they produced a 39/40mm I’d get one in a heartbeat.
After trying the Pioneer 1 I tried a preventor 9 which I decided to buy and am picking it up next week.
I also have a Sinn104 and a 556 so I guess I’m into German watches.
Congrats on the Hanhart! It’s a gorgeous watch and wear it in good health
Thanks
I have a Hanhart Pioneer 417 chronograph 39mm. Having previously had a Sinn103 I prefer the Hanhart for its size, dial layout, manual wind and bund strap.
I tried the Pioneer 1 recently but it’s lug to lug was disappointingly too long on my slender wrist. Had it fitted better I’d have got the blue dial. If they produced a 39/40mm I’d get one in a heartbeat.
After trying the Pioneer 1 I tried a preventor 9 which I decided to buy and am picking it up next week.
I also have a Sinn104 and a 556 so I guess I’m into German watches.
Lug to lug is quite long but luckily I can pull it off. I also looked at Preventor but non modular movement, hands design and Hanhart bezel steered me to Pioneer
Congrats! You picked a winner. Love my Hanhart. Great brand.
Smashing! ✨
Stunning watch! I just bought a Silva, and it's incredibly finished. I'd just wish the Pioneer was in similar sizes: 37-39 mm.
Congratulations 😄
Yeah, I've never understood the appeal of the Alpinist. Even the earlier SARB017, the overly ornate hands, the juxtaposition of gilt and silver, and the most useless complication ever (the compass bezel), were all hard "nopes" for me. This Hanhart though; the non-diver, timer bezel is something that doesn't get nearly enough love. It's a brilliant add-on for a field watch, or most any watch if done right, and Hanhart does it right. I would love to see a day/date version, and I would like to see more robust and better articulated/curved lugs (are watch collectors ever happy?), but it's about as perfect as I've ever seen in this category of watch.
Solid points about the Sarb. Speaking of the way hanhart includes the rotating bezel with red line on their watches -- do you know how to make use of it? I keep thinking of ways but come up short since there's no other reference points on it. (I really want a hanhart Chrono for the same reasons OP chose this but I really want to time events over 30 mins)
Solid points about the Sarb. Speaking of the way hanhart includes the rotating bezel with red line on their watches -- do you know how to make use of it? I keep thinking of ways but come up short since there's no other reference points on it. (I really want a hanhart Chrono for the same reasons OP chose this but I really want to time events over 30 mins)
For the Hanhart chrono, with the 30 minute timer, what you do is; you align the red mark on the bezel with the hour hand and hit hit "go" on the chrono. And then you can keep track of hours by watching where the hour hand is relative to the red hashmark. All 30 minute chronos using the Seagull movement should have this. Make sense?