Pilot’s watches and dive watches are often regarded as specialised areas within the watch industry. Separate watchmaking niches with their own unique design elements that allow them to serve in their designated function. However, there’s actually a surprising amount of overlap between pilot and dive watch design, which Hanhart have made use of in the new Hanhart FLY NAVY Aerosphere limited edition. It’s a watch dedicated to the German Marinefliegergeschwader (MFG), which translates to naval aviation squadron, meaning it has to be adapted to life both in the air and in or around the water.
When designing a watch for both aviation and diving, the case is of utmost importance. Both of these watch archetype favour large displays in order to provide good legibility to the wearer and in turn that means the cases are typically large. As such, the FLY NAVY Aerosphere measures a broad 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.95mm. Its stainless steel construction also makes it robust and the ceramic insert bezel is all but impervious to scratches.
On top of that, the FLY NAVY Aerosphere case has a 300m water resistance rating, making it perfectly suited to an aquatic world too. That rating has been achieved through the use of a screw-down crown and a helium escape valve. At the same time the crown is oversize, which is typically a trait seen in pilot’s watches so that they can be manipulated while wearing thick leather gloves. Focussing back on diving elements, the bezel has a unidirectional rotation that allows it to be used as a dive timer.
As for the dial, it has a highly legible blue, white and yellow design. Not only is yellow and blue the signature colours of the MFG, it also makes for a high contrast design that’s easy to read. The rectangle hour markers and central skeleton hands are coated with Super-Luminova so that you can read it underwater or in low-light conditions too. At 6 o’clock sits the naval aviator command logo.
Speaking of logos, the caseback of the FLY NAVY Aerosphere is engraved with one of two designs. The first is the MFG3 ‘Graf Zeppelin’ logo with wings and tridents and the second is the MFG5 with a sea eagle. Each is limited to 150 pieces, making the whole piece a limited edition of 300. Protected by the caseback is the Sellita SW200 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve.
I must admit that my personal preference in colours leans in a more subtle direction than the bold matte colours on display here. But I do like the hybrid pilot-dive design that makes for a very versatile timepiece. It’s priced at €1,460 on textile strap or €1,690 on steel bracelet (approx. £1,240/£1,430).
Price and Specs:
More details at Hanhart.
