There’s something undeniably compelling about German watchmaking. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t glitter unnecessarily. Instead, it delivers precision, purpose and quiet confidence. And few brands embody that spirit quite like Hanhart.
In The Watch Book: Hanhart and the German Watch Industry, renowned horological author Gisbert L. Brunner turns his attention to this historic manufacturer and in doing so, shines a broader light on Germany’s contribution to the world of fine watchmaking.
The result is a book that feels both substantial and celebratory, a fitting tribute to a brand synonymous with pilot’s chronographs and robust stopwatches.
Gisbert Brunner is no stranger to watch enthusiasts. His decades of experience bring authority and fluency to the narrative, but what makes this volume particularly enjoyable is its readability. This isn’t a dry academic study — it’s an engaging journey.
From Hanhart’s origins in the late 19th century through its rise as a producer of reliable timing instruments and iconic pilot chronographs like the 417 ES, the story unfolds with clarity and admiration. The brand’s resilience — especially through periods of immense historical upheaval — adds depth to the narrative.
It’s heritage told with respect and genuine enthusiasm.
What elevates this book beyond a straightforward brand monograph is its wider lens. Brunner places Hanhart within the context of the German watch industry as a whole, an industry often overshadowed by its Swiss neighbour, yet distinct in character and engineering philosophy.
From Black Forest craftsmanship to the precision traditions of Glashütte, the book reminds readers that German watchmaking has always had its own identity: functional, robust and refreshingly purposeful.
For collectors who appreciate the nuance between Swiss flourish and German pragmatism, this broader perspective is particularly rewarding. As part of The Watch Book series, presentation matters and this volume delivers.
Large-format photography, archival images and beautifully captured modern pieces make it a pleasure to browse. Whether open on a coffee table or carefully placed in a collector’s library, it looks every bit as impressive as the watches it showcases. The bilingual German and English format also makes it accessible to an international audience, a thoughtful touch that reflects Hanhart’s global following.
This is not a workshop manual, nor does it attempt to dissect movement architecture in microscopic detail. Its focus is heritage, storytelling and visual celebration rather than mechanical schematics.
For most enthusiasts, that’s precisely the point. It’s a book to savour, not to study with a loupe.
The Watch Book: Hanhart and the German Watch Industry is a confident and handsome celebration of a brand that deserves recognition. It captures the essence of Hanhart, functional, historic, and quietly iconic, while reinforcing Germany’s rightful place in global horology.
Beautifully produced, engagingly written and proudly heritage-driven, it is a rewarding addition to any enthusiast’s bookshelf. For lovers of pilot’s chronographs and Teutonic precision, this one feels right at home.
The hardcover book is available in 24.5 x 31.4 cm format and is ideal for use as a coffee table book. The information text on each page of the book is written in both German and English. The price is €80 incl. VAT.
All images courtesy of Hanhart and publisher of the book, teNeues.
For more information please visit Hanhart