Today, we are going hands-on with the Hanhart 415 ES Panda launched earlier this year. Now, chronographs are among the most sought-after watches by enthusiasts and collectors. Their rich ties to racing and aviation often stir up a romantic connection that often quiets the reality that most of us are not actually recording time mechanically (if at all). But, still, they remain, understandably, very beloved. So, they can often be very critically inspected upon their announcement by the watch community. In particular, people often nitpick whether or not the case proportions are right, if the case is too thick.
As a step up in complication, chronographs are more expensive than your standard time and date only pieces, and therefore prospective buyers can also be critical of whether or not the movement driving the watch, along with the overall spec, justifies the higher price. So, with this all in mind, does the new 60s-inspired 415 ES Panda from the independent German watch brand Hanhart deliver?
The case
The 415 ES Panda is packaged in a wrist-friendly 39mm stainless steel case that spans a rather compact 46mm lug-to-lug across the wrist. So, it certainly clocks in within the Goldilocks parameter for most, big enough to satiate larger wrists without being so big that smaller wrists cannot enjoy it either.
The 100-metre water-resistant case is also 13.5mm thick, including its highly domed sapphire crystal, so, in regard to thickness, I would say it is certainly on the slender side, considering big-name brands often get flagged for chronographs being too thick at 14mm or 15mm+ thick cases.
The dial
Though its panda, historic wing logo-branded dial makes it feel like this pilot’s chrono was sent to the future from the ‘60s in a time machine, modern manufacturing does have its benefits. Framing the dial, you have a 60-minute bezel insert forged in scratch-resistant, matte black ceramic. Though this robust, modern material ceramic insert is not prone to scratches, the matte finish under light creates a sort of faded, subtle ghosting effect that plays well into the vintage feel of the design.
Though also available in a reverse panda configuration, the configuration we have gone hands-on with has a stone white dial with black counters at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions, which indicate the running seconds and 30-minute-scaled elapsed minutes, respectively.
In darkness, ample SuperLuminova lights up on the dial with the three central hands and each of the Arabic numerals utilising a luminous coating. Though the small seconds hand, nor the 30-minute elapsed minutes hand, utilise a luminous coating, if you sync the chronograph seconds to the small seconds before evening hours, you will be able to read the running seconds in the dark as well.
The strap
Continuing the theme of modern manufacturing benefits, Hanhart’s new brushed steel bracelet very notably features a folding clasp with tool-free fine adjustment that allows you to comfortably adjust the length of the bracelet up to 10mm on the fly. The full brushed finish of the three-link bracelet definitely fits the tool watch feel of the 415 ES Panda.
The movement
Hidden beneath a solid, vintage-logo-stamped caseback ticks a robust, manually-wound Sellita SW510 M-based chronograph movement. Though rooted in a mass-manufacture workhorse calibre, it does offer an admirable 58 hours of power reserve that extends well beyond the two days or less ETA/Sellita-derived movements can often provide.
The verdict
At just under US$3,000 on a strap and just over on a bracelet, the Hanhart 415 ES Panda definitely offers specs that most big-name brands do not deliver for multiples of its price. With a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel insert, 58-hour rock-solid chronograph calibre, and a bracelet that features 10mm of on-the-fly micro-adjustment, all within a very well-proportioned 1oo-metre water-resistant case, anyone in the market for a chronograph watch around the US$3K price-point needs to consider this watch – especially if you appreciate vintage style and pedigree.
Hanhart 415 ES Panda pricing and availability
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The Hanhart 415 ES Panda is available now for purchase. Price: US$2,900 (incl. VAT, on strap), US$3,133 (incl. VAT, on bracelet)
Brand
Hanhart
Model
415 ES Panda
Case Dimensions
39mm (D) x 13.5mm (T) x 46mm (LTL)
Case Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
100 metres
Crystal(s)
Sapphire front
Dial
White, black counters
Strap
Stainless steel bracelet, folding clasp, 10mm on-the-fly micro-adjustment
Movement
SW510 M-base, manually-wound
Power Reserve
58 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
Availability
Now
Price
US$2,900 Â (incl. VAT, on strap)
US$3,133 (incl. VAT, on bracelet)