Modern Vintage Chronos... sometimes you just need some paint

Since my last post on this subject I've been doing lots more research and messing about with Chronos and field watches. I've been obsessed with divers so much that it feels like a natural progression I suppose. But as always I'm trying to figure out the things I like in the most experimental way I can.

My current set of chronos consists of a Vario R1 racing chrono and the Dan Henry 1964. The Vario fills a gap for me in terms of the colourful 70s look. But there was something about the 1964 that kept bugging me. And then I figured it out, it's too polished!

I was trying to think what I would change about the 1964, and then I saw a reference of an older Heuer chrono that was closer to what I liked:

It's a very subtle thing, but it's really just the fact that subdial hands are white and the center chrono hand is black. It's very monochromatic. The 1964 has a blue chrono hand and polished subdial hands. I know that sounds too OCD, but look at the results for yourself on my now modded watch:

The left is the original and the right is the modified watch. All I did was paint the hands with acrylic (actually harder than I expected, such fine motorskill work). Truthfully the chrono hand could be better, but I can live with it! So that settles it for those two, but again, I don't think this is the end of it.

When I started off I was also looking at the Yema Rallygraph. Mainly because I like simple chronos, I am not into the super complicated markings, even the venerable Speedy and my 1964 are a bit too much for me. The Rallygraph is very simple and looks great with its trapezoidal subdials.

But there is one big thing I don't like about the Yema, that damn Seiko movement that has a 24hr subdial, which effectively means you have no standard seconds hand! My old Geckota can do it, so why can't this one? In any case, the point is a bicompax seems like the right fit long-term. And hence why I'm now also looking at the Hanhart 417 in the title pic. I mean look at it, so simple, so clean.

It has history, which is nice. But importantly, it has class IMHO. It's its own design and nothing like others. Just a good old German watch. And honestly it's not in a crazy price category. For what you get, it seems like a very reasonable offering. Too bad I've never seen one up close. But just from the reading and videos, that's my current front runner to satisfy my want for a vintage-like chrono.

I'll end by saying that whenever I do these posts, many people point out an obvious choice: Baltic. And I will say what I have before. I like the designs, they are nice watches, but their price bracket is just in an awkward spot for me. I picked Lorier over them before, and I would pick Hanhart over them as well. In fact, the 417 is about the same price as the Baltic Tricompax. So again, nothing against the brand, if you own one, enjoy it! It's just not ticking my boxes, and I'm yet to find one that does. Maybe one day...

That's it for today. Have fun messing with chronos out there WC!