GTM is the name of the new line announced at the end of 2012 and officially launched at Baselworld. This collection, in keeping with the brand’s cherished ‘chrono vintage’ spirit, now comprises three references: GT, GTM and GTF. While the first is a simple chronograph, the M of the second refers to Hanhart’s famous red monopusher, while the F variation features a flyback or instant-restart function.
Their common denominator is that Hanhart is for the first time treating them to an original steel alloy named HDS Pro. “Hanhart is the only brand in the world to make the cases of its wrist chronographs from a nickel-free stainless steel mainly distinguished by its extreme hardness combined with a scratch-resistance improved by a massive 10,000% and duly patented for the watch and jewellery industry under the trademark HDS Pro. As Jan Edöcs, Hanhart’s recently appointed CEO, points out: “This is a major development for the brand. Germany is a country with a worldwide reputation for the quality of its steel. Since we are currently clearly determined to focus on our Germanic roots, the development of this new alloy simultaneously emphasises both our identity and our attachment to innovation”.
Whereas standard steel comprises a significant proportion of nickel, HDS Pro is entirely free of this metal. “As well as being scratchproof and equipped to withstand the effects of wear due to shocks, scratches and corrosion, this alloy is completely non-allergenic, a fact that will benefit the substantial proportion of the population who are allergic to nickel. Moreover, this alloy will also enable Hanhart to send a clear message to all its customers: even after 10 years, a Hanhart watch will be as radiant as ever”, he concludes.
Back to Germanic roots
In parallel, according to Jan Edöcs vision, Hanhart’s future will be clearly based around its historical German headquarters in Gütenbach. Concretely speaking, this means that the inscription on future Hanhart watches will no longer read ‘Swiss Made’, but instead ‘Made in Germany”. The brand is thus reinforcing its position on the watch market by establishing itself as belonging to the same proud lineage as other illustrious representatives of the nation’s horological tradition, notably including Lange & Söhne. It will however do so by means of a very simple catalogue comprising three collections featuring models that are above all resolutely more affordable, as the CEO explains: “The segment of watches priced between CHF 3,000 to 6,000 is one of the most hotly disputed, and what’s more, almost all the brands active in this range are looking to move upscale. This means that a timeless Hanhart watch embodying a wealth of timekeeping history is particularly attractive when offered below the symbolic CHF 3,000 threshold.”
In future, the brand’s collections will thus be enriched with models characterised by their affordability, a goal that will be supported by the majority use of the in-house HDS Pro alloy that will entail no additional costs compared with previous versions. The range will be occasionally complemented by various few limited series in gold. It is thus highly likely that devotees of history-packed chronographs and of fine German mechanical watchmaking, who may as yet have been undecided, will relinquish any hesitations and join in the Hanhart adventure.
