Hands-On With Two Handsome Hanhart 415 ES Panda Chronographs
Many modern chronographs strive to strike a balance between vintage appeal and modern build quality. Few of those efforts result in a package as appealing as the Hanhart 415 ES Panda chronographs. These models revisit a 1960s design while delivering features expected in a contemporary tool watch.
I had the chance to go hands-on with both the Panda and the Reverse Panda versions. I came away thoroughly charmed, so let’s have a closer look!
Hanhart 415 ES history
Hanhart was founded in 1882 by Johann Adolf Hanhart in Diessenhofen, Switzerland, before relocating to Schwenningen in Germany’s Black Forest two decades later. The company first gained a reputation for its stopwatches, which set the stage for its later specialization as a manufacturer of chronographs.
During the mid-20th century, Hanhart gained a strong following for its robust wrist-worn chronographs. These watches were appreciated for their clear readability and reliable mechanics, particularly in aviation and motorsport settings. The 415 ES was one such model, offering a down-to-business design that lent itself well to professional use.
The new 415 ES stays close to the spirit of those watches. The two-register layout, revived winged logo, and functional bezel remain in place. The construction and finishing have been refined to meet today’s standards. In many ways, it represents Hanhart’s attempt to keep its mid-century DNA alive without turning the watch into a museum piece.
Hanhart 415 ES specifications
The stainless steel case measures 39mm across, 13.5mm thick, and 46mm from lug to lug. It combines brushed and polished surfaces and incorporates both antimagnetic protection and additional shock resistance through a Hanhart-developed damping system. The bezel is bidirectional with 60 clicks and a matte black ceramic inlay. A domed sapphire crystal with an internal antireflective coating protects the dial, while the screw-in back completes the feature set, resulting in a 100m water resistance rating.
Powering the 415 ES is the manually wound Sellita SW510 M chronograph caliber. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 23 jewels, and delivers a 58-hour power reserve. This movement is pretty much the gold standard in this segment — reliable, easy to service, but slightly thick. At 13.5mm, then, the 415 ES isn’t notably svelte.
These 415 ES models introduce a stainless steel bracelet to the line for the first time. It is 20mm wide at the lugs and fitted with a folding clasp that allows tool-free adjustment of up to 10mm. Style-wise, the bracelet won’t win prizes for originality, but it looks great with the watches and feels solid. My one gripe is the clasp, which is rather large and bulky. This is no doubt a result of Hanhart’s effort to source a good micro-adjustment mechanism, which this clearly is.
The 415 ES panda dials
The Panda edition pairs a white background with black registers at 3 and 9 o’clock, while the Reverse Panda switches the scheme to black with white sub-dials. The white sub-dials on the Reverse Panda are fully lumed. The Panda version, meanwhile, just has “traditional” lume on the numerals and hands.
Both versions feature Hanhart’s historic winged logo, linking the modern watches back to their 1960s counterparts. It takes the place of Hanhart’s regular, more classical logo and looks rather neat.
Super-LumiNova C1 GL X2 ensures the hands and markers remain visible in low light. The contrast of these dial designs is more than aesthetic. It enhances legibility, particularly for timing functions, while also aligning with the visual language of mid-century racing chronographs. With panda dials having garnered something of a cult status over the decades, it is easy to forget they were once intended for improved legibility.
Wearing the Hanhart 415 ES Panda
On the wrist, these watches feel very familiar. I guess this is because most vintage-inspired chronographs housing a Sellita SW510 have very similar proportions. This means it wears comfortably and falls nicely within the confines of my 18cm wrist. As always, it would benefit from being a few millimeters thinner, but such is the reality of using this movement.
Aesthetically, these Hanhart 415 ES models excel. I absolutely love these two dials. The black-and-white contrast looks crisp and catches the eye. Hanhart deserves bonus points for not going down the faux-patina route. There is plenty of character in the panda layout already, and cream lume would have turned the watches sentimentally retro. They look beautifully sharp without it.
The bracelet suits the watches well. It feels solid, and the quick-release and micro-adjustment functions work as they should. As mentioned before, the clasp could have been smaller and thinner, but you cannot have it all when you want a well-made, historic, hand-wound chronograph under €3k. The 415 ES Panda or Reverse Panda costs €2,690 (inc. 21% VAT) on the bracelet or €200 less on a black, dark brown, or light brown leather strap.
Closing thoughts
The Hanhart 415 ES Panda and Reverse Panda achieve a fine balance between historical accuracy and modern execution. They preserve the essence of a classic chronograph while simultaneously feeling fresh and relevant. I found them charming.
In terms of execution, the watches deliver what you would expect in the segment. Their fit and finishing are on par with competing offerings, and since the proportions largely result from the caliber, the overall wrist presence also feels familiar from other 39mm chronographs. Still, Hanhart packages all of this beautifully, and the Panda and Reverse Panda versions are particularly pretty. I would certainly recommend these wholeheartedly, as I found myself gazing at my wrist in admiration multiple times during testing.
What do you think of the Hanhart 415 ES Panda and Reverse Panda? Let us know in the comments section below!
