Primus

Presented at Baselworld in 2009, the Primus line was created as a more contemporary complement to the historical replicas of the Pioneer collection: a pilot's chronograph with a bold character, more generous proportions and a masculine design language, which nonetheless draws on the references of the 1938 Calibre 40, reorganized into a modern 44 mm case.

The heart of the line is the HAN38 automatic base caliber, derived from the Valjoux/ETA 7750 and later joined by versions with an added La Joux-Perret module (HAN3809), which allows the chronograph counters to be rearranged relative to the traditional 6-9-12 layout of the original movement. The sandblasted steel case features articulated lugs for a better fit on the wrist, a large screw-down crown and the red anodized aluminum reset pusher — the same element that, for Hanhart, ideally ties its contemporary chronographs to the brand's stopwatches and first pilot's chronographs.

Over the years the Primus has expanded into several thematic variants that share the case design and the red pusher: among the best known are the Primus Pilot, with an essential aeronautical layout, the Primus Racer, with motorsport inspiration, and the Primus Diver, with a unidirectional diving bezel, joined over time by special editions under different names tied to military, maritime or travel themes.