There are certain watches that sit at the crossroads of history and modern watchmaking, and Hanhart’s 417 ES is one of those pieces. It has long held its place in enthusiast circles thanks to its early military role, its distinctive layout and its unmistakable red pusher. When Hanhart works with another creative voice, the outcome often gives new life to familiar lines while staying true to the brand’s practical foundations. The new Hanhart Red Lion Mk II, created together with TGV and Gentry Labs, continues that pattern with a more technical, more function driven take on the original Red Lion from the modern 417 ES family.
This is a watch shaped by the philosophy that purpose guides design. You see this in every detail, from the enlarged minute counter to the hand wound flyback calibre inside it. Rather than chasing trends, the Red Lion Mk II feels like the answer to a real question: what would a successor to the 417 ES look like if the goal was to strengthen legibility, usability and function for genuine everyday wear? The result is a compact, thoughtful chronograph that respects its heritage while stepping confidently into a more modern territory.
A new approach built on familiar foundations
At 39 mm in diameter and 13.6 mm in height, the Red Lion Mk II lands firmly in that sweet spot where a watch sits securely on the wrist without dominating it. The case finishing is classic Hanhart, moving between satin and polished surfaces that give structure to the design without losing its tool driven character. Its silhouette clearly nods to the 417 ES, but the execution is more contemporary, more refined and noticeably more technical.
Much of this updated character comes from the bezel. Rather than a smooth reissue style design, the Red Lion Mk II uses a bidirectional 12 hour bezel with 24 distinct clicks. This one detail shifts the watch from a traditional pilot’s chronograph into something more versatile. By rotating the bezel to match a time difference, the wearer can read a second time zone directly against the main time. Hanhart refers to this as a GMT light function. It is intuitive, robust and avoids the visual clutter that comes with an additional hand. The system suits those who move between time zones but do not need the constant reference of a full GMT complication.
The rest of the watch supports this modern outlook. A highly domed sapphire crystal sits above the dial, treated with anti reflective coating on both sides to reduce glare. At the rear, a sapphire display back reveals the movement and includes a small, subtle Gentry Labs watermark printed inside the crystal. The watch is water resistant to 10 bar and has a screwed case back that carries its individual limitation number.
A dial designed around usability
The dial is where the Red Lion Mk II distinguishes itself most clearly from earlier models. Everything here is shaped around fast reading and high clarity. The matte black base, white Arabic numerals and historical Hanhart logo create a clean instrument style layout. The most striking element is the Big Eye counter at 3 o’clock, which is noticeably larger than the other sub dial. This enlarged register carries the 30 minute chronograph counter and is paired with a red tipped hand coated in Super Luminova C1 X2. The idea is simple and effective. When timing an interval, the eye naturally locks onto the most important information without hesitation.
The central hands follow the same clarity driven philosophy. The hour, minute and chronograph hands are all coated with Super Luminova C1 X2, providing clear visibility in both bright and low light environments. The numerals themselves are also lumed, giving the watch a uniform night time readability that many chronographs lack. At 6 o’clock sits a quietly integrated date window. It blends with the layout without interrupting the symmetry, making it useful without drawing attention away from the chronograph display.
The result is a dial that feels confident and practical, not decorative. There is no unnecessary ornamentation, no visual noise and no attempt to mimic vintage effects. Instead, it brings the underlying military spirit of the 417 ES into a more purposeful, technical direction.
A flyback calibre built for real function
Inside the Red Lion Mk II is the hand wound Sellita AMT5100 M, a column wheel chronograph calibre with flyback capability. For those who appreciate mechanical integrity, this movement is a strong choice. It runs at 4 Hz, holds a power reserve of 58 hours and includes small seconds, a 30 minute counter, central chronograph seconds and a hacking function for precise setting. The flyback mechanism allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted instantly with a single press of the pusher, a feature originally valued by pilots who needed rapid timing transitions without stopping to reset.
Hanhart adjusts the movement in house to a tolerance of 0 to +8 seconds per day. This level of regulation positions the watch firmly within the tool watch philosophy that has defined the brand for generations. Reliability, consistency and function take priority, supported by shock protection and a construction meant for real world use.
Visible through the sapphire display back, the movement has a clean, industrial finish suitable for its purpose. The Gentry Labs watermark on the inside of the crystal is a tasteful nod to the collaboration, present only on close inspection. It never interrupts the view of the calibre, which feels entirely appropriate for a watch of this character.
Small details that honour a long history
One of Hanhart’s most recognisable elements is the red pusher. It appears once again on the Red Lion Mk II, made here from HyCeram, a hybrid ceramic material chosen for its colour stability and impact resistance. This pusher ties the watch to its aviation heritage and carries both a practical and a symbolic story. Historically, the red accent reminded pilots not to reset the chronograph accidentally, particularly when timing was critical. Over time, it has also come to reflect a more personal anecdote involving a pilot’s loved one colouring the pusher as a sign of remembrance. Both narratives give the watch emotional depth, even as it remains fully functional in intent.
A practical choice of straps
The Red Lion Mk II arrives with a choice between an FKM high performance rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet. The FKM strap is particularly suited to active use, resistant to heat, chemicals, water and sweat. It remains soft and flexible against the wrist, maintaining comfort across long wear periods. The stainless steel bracelet offers a more classic appearance, adding weight and presence while retaining the tool watch identity. Both allow the owner to tailor the watch to their lifestyle, whether that leans toward a more rugged or more refined daily role.
A thoughtful continuation of the Red Lion line
What makes the Red Lion Mk II compelling is its balance of heritage and progression. It does not try to recreate the past. Instead, it takes the functional core of the 417 ES and asks what improvements would genuinely benefit a modern wearer. The answer lies in stronger legibility, a more intuitive time zone feature, a carefully regulated flyback calibre and a cleaner, more technical design language.
It is a watch for those who admire the original Red Lion but want something more contemporary in character. It suits collectors who appreciate purpose driven chronographs and enthusiasts who value clarity and mechanical integrity. The Red Lion Mk II feels authentic to Hanhart’s roots while adding a fresh, more deliberate direction for the series.
In a landscape filled with heritage reissues, the Red Lion Mk II stands apart by choosing evolution over replication. It keeps the spirit of the 417 ES alive, but allows it to grow. For many collectors, that is precisely what makes this release special.
