Bigeye vs 417es 39mm

Hands down Hanhart! This watch has  the proportions absolutely nailed!...and I am a sucker for coiled bezel and bicompax and sub registers that don't run over numerals.. 

Symmetry over asymmetry. The bi-directional bezel is definitely a plus for the 417es.

Biased opinion, cause I own the BigEye, but I'd go with the BigEye (shocker, I know). 

I don't take any issue with people owning German watches from this... era, but I have a handful of family members who survived, or whose parents survived, those events -- and who often inquire about the watches I wear and their history. 

For myself, I couldn't in good conscience own and COMFORTABLY wear a watch like the Hanhart. It'd be something I'd have to think about and try to remember not to wear around those individuals, which is more effort than I want to put in to wear it. I want to wear what I want, cause I want to.

Plus I generally find Longines more interesting of a brand, especially when it comes to chronographs. The Hanhart wouldn't exist without the innovation of Longines :) 

Well-taken sir. We all have our own biases. That is what makes this hobby interesting. Would you be so kind as to elaborate on that last statement. Would love to hear about it. 😊

Sure! Longines is credited with being the first, among many other things, to fit a chronograph movement in a wristwatch. 

I'm not sure if the Hanhart has a column wheel offhand -- I know the BigEye does, but Longines invented that too! 

And while Breitling (I believe?) invented the flyback chronograph mechanism, Longines owns (or owned) the patent for it.

Wow! That's new info for me. I believe the hanhart does have a column wheel too. The flyback mechanism does put the 417 one up on the bigeye. Thank you for the additional knowledge. 👍

While I appreciate the Hanhart‘s dimensions, I just really like the Big Eye more. 👍

Hanhart. More unusual, and a much more symmetrical and logical design. 

Sometimes we gravitate towards a watch just because we love the design for reasons we cannot articulate. 👍

That's one more for symmetry. I am not quite sure what you mean by unusual though. 🤔

Fewer of them around. Longines make almost 2 million watches per year, and is many, many times more common than Hanhart. You may not care about that sort of thing, of course. 

I understand now what you mean. But I likewise do care about being different or shall we say not mainstream or unpopular. One of my more unpopular pieces is the Northflag and I love it! Probably my favorite in the collection. 😉

Hanhart for me, the 39mm case is perfect for me. I tried the big eye before but didn’t sit right on my wrist, but then again haven’t tried the hanhart yet…

Ok, that is a very valid reason. Tell us your experience once you get to try the 417. 😉

Oh man! i’m Scared to try that one on… I’ll end up home with me 😂 

Consider it a Christmas present to yourself then. Merry Christmas! 🤣

I have to say the Longines here. Nothing against Hanhart, many will like enjoy the smaller size and well these are well made. 
 

Just prefer the bezel look and feel on wrist kind the Longines. (I also prefer larger 40-42mm watches so maybe look elsewhere for helpful advice)

Well, I myself wear 39-45mm sir. I understand what you mean. I believe 40-42mm is likewise my sweet spot. 😊

Longines are fairly easy to find no matter where in the world you are. Try one on, they’re beautiful in person. 

I prefer balance over symmetry, and I think the Longines has great balance. 

Oh absolutely! I do own the bigeye. I love it! Somehow I find myself getting drawn to the 417. However, being too similar pieces I was wondering if I should switch and let go of the bigeye. I don't want to have both in the collection. 🤔

I find I am not a staunch supporter of symmetry either. Nothing against it but somehow I oftentimes find it too plain and at times boring. Maybe I just like to go against the grain. I am kind of a rebel like that. 😂

Ohhh. Got it. Just do it then! 

I am still on the fence on this one right now. We'll see... 😉

The Hanhart because of the case size and beautiful symmetry, I tried on ghe Big Pilot in Phuket in 2019 upon its first sighting by mwah and It didn’t fit and the slab sides didn’t do it for me , absolutely love the dial though.  For me the Hanny 

Yup, I see your point. Aside from the flyback function I also give it to the Hanhart for the rotating bezel with the red dot which affords the user a countdown timer of sorts. 😉

Both great but between the two, I’m going Longines big eye. The dial speaks to me more.  However, One thing to keep in mind with the big eye is the minutes register.    Major indicies on the minute subdial are three minutes vs the more common five.  Most people say they get used to it and while I did, it’s probably the main reason I sold it. That said otherwise it’s still a fantastic watch and the one I’d recommend.  

I have this thing in me that tends to lose appeal towards popular choices. I tend to gravitate towards the unusual or unique characteristics as long as I like the design/specs overall. I kinda have this anxiety that every 5-10 people you come across on the street is wearing the same watch as yours. Well, that's just me I guess... 😂

Longings for me

Good choice my friend! 😉