An Underrated Tool Watch Brand Gave Its Most Wearable Chronograph a Coveted Look

Maybe it’s the versatility of the monochromatic color scheme, the iconic vintage examples, or the adorable colloquialism, but watch fans love “panda” dials.

From the Newman Rolex Daytona, the original Hamilton Chrono-Matic and the second-generation Seiko Speedtimer to the slew of affordable alternatives, we just can’t get enough of the black-and-white dial layout.

Hanhart

If you’re looking for an option that isn’t obvious, but still has the quintessential look and unimpeachable specs, Hanhart just dropped the watch for you.

The newly revamped 415 ES has a stripped-down pilot’s chronograph dial in a pure monochromatic color scheme. With only two sub-dials, a running seconds at nine o’clock and a thirty-minute counter at three o’clock, it is a true “panda.”

Hanhart

A “reverse panda” black dial with white sub-dials is also available. Both options have a black ceramic bezel inlay with etched silver markings that match the brushed steel case.

Staying fully committed to the color scheme, each watch is available with a three-link brushed steel bracelet or a black leather pin-buckle strap with white stitching.

A monochromatic masterpiece

Hanhart revived the 415 ES in late 2024 with a dial inspired by early 20th-century pilot’s watches, which were the foundation of the brand for most of its existence.

Hanhart

The release was noteworthy for its relatively compact 39mm case, which shrank the notoriously enormous German pilot’s watch to a size that is both comfortable for daily wear and appeasing to modern tastes.

In early 2024, an updated reference dubbed the Pure made the dial look less busy and a little better suited for daily wear, but it still had a tachymeter track and decimal track printed on the dial.

Hanhart

Along with the obvious color change, the 415 ES Panda and Reverse Panda ditch these complex measurements for a cleaner look. Both watches have large white printed hour numerals and a small 60-minute track outlining the dial.

An auto racing pilot’s chronograph?

Coming from Hanhart, the 415 ES carries on an illustrious tradition of pilot’s watches dating back to World War I. The large numeral hour markers and pointed hands are unmistakable indicators of the horological genre.

Hanhart

But looking at the stripped-down Panda and Reverse Panda references, I can’t help but think of late 1960s auto-racing watches from brands like Heuer and Hamilton. Because of the watches mentioned in the intro, the “panda” dial is inexorably linked to driving, not flying.

Perhaps this was the impetus for Hanhart to sneak in one more easy-to-miss update on the dial. The needle-shaped second hand on the previous references has been replaced with a propeller-shaped hand typically found on early aviation watches.

This update means that all three hands are now inlaid with Super-LumiNova, as are the printed hour markers.

Hanhart

Whether you go with the true “panda” or the inverted option, you can’t go wrong with the newest additions to the 415 ES line. What was already Hanhart’s most wearable tool watch is now a sleeper pick for the best mid-tier chronograph.

It is undoubtedly the best off-the-beaten-path “panda” watch out there, at any price range.

Availability and pricing

The Hanhart 415 ES Panda and Reverse Panda are available now from Hanhart for $3,714 on a steel three-link bracelet and $3,438 on a black leather pin-buckle strap.

Hanhart fans will note that you can now buy directly from the German watchmaker in the United States. The brand’s listed price for the 415 ES has increased by almost $1,000 since February because all import duties and tariffs are now included.

Hanhart

Hanhart 415 ES Panda

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Sellita caliber SW510 M hand-wound
Water Resistance	100m

• $3,714 at Hanhart

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