Robust, durable and high-performing… Swiss Military Hanowa brings together all the qualities expected of a watch on a single dial.
In 18th-century Switzerland, winters were long, harsh and cold in the towns nestled at the foot of the high mountains. As local communities sought ways to make a living from their homes and small workshops, they witnessed the emergence of a craft that would become deeply rooted in the country’s identity: watchmaking. Shaped by the landscape and the conditions of the time, watchmaking began to flourish on Swiss soil. From modest workshops emerged a tradition built on the relationship between master and apprentice, with knowledge and skills passed down from one generation to the next. Precise, robust and reliable Swiss-made watches would eventually travel across the world, accompanying their wearers on battlefields, mountain summits and into the deepest reaches of the oceans.
Precision, durability and punctuality… The values that came to define Swiss watchmaking also found their counterpart in the Swiss military, itself shaped amid high mountains and demanding conditions. Adaptability, discipline and reliability in every circumstance formed a common ground between these two distinct traditions. Swiss watch brand Swiss Military Hanowa built its identity at precisely this intersection: robustness, durability and performance became the fundamental values of its watches.
The brand’s story began in 1963 in Biel, one of the centres of Swiss watchmaking. Founded by Hans Noll and his wife Elisabeth Noll, Hanowa takes its name from a combination of the first letters of its founder’s name, “HA” and “NO”, and the first two letters of the English word “watches”, “WA”: HAns NOll WAtches. Over time, the name would grow into a Swiss watch brand recognised around the world.
In its early years, Hanowa distinguished itself with design-led watches. The defining shift in the brand’s history came in 1990 with the birth of Swiss Military Hanowa. Under this new identity, an emphasis on an active lifestyle, performance and durability became more pronounced, while the precision associated with Swiss watchmaking remained firmly at the heart of the brand.
Swiss Military Hanowa watches are designed not simply to offer a sporty aesthetic, but to serve as functional companions capable of adapting to the varied demands of an active lifestyle. From sporty chronographs and dive watches to automatic models designed for everyday wear, each collection has its own distinct character. What unites them is their ability to combine Swiss precision with a robust, highly legible and functional approach to design.
Swiss Military Hanowa’s Standout Collections
Reflecting the brand’s strong and dynamic character, Flagship brings the precision of Swiss watchmaking together with the aesthetics of a modern sports watch. Combining sporty details with refined finishes, the collection’s robust construction and versatile design allow it to move effortlessly from urban life to more adventurous weekend pursuits.
Interpreting Switzerland’s long-established tradition of mechanical watchmaking through a contemporary design language, Diligenter places the automatic movement at the heart of the collection. Completed with sapphire crystal, stainless-steel cases and carefully executed finishes, the watches appeal to a broad audience, from those taking their first steps into mechanical watchmaking to enthusiasts who appreciate the traditions of classical horology.
Named after the marlin, one of the fastest and most powerful creatures in the ocean, Black Marlin translates the boundless character of the sea into a sporty watch design. Distinguished by its robust case construction, sapphire crystal and high level of water resistance, the collection represents one of the brand’s boldest propositions for those seeking performance and durability from their watch.
Pioneer combines the pioneering spirit of its name with the reliability of Swiss watchmaking. Built around strong lines, high legibility and functionality, the collection offers a versatile design capable of adapting to a wide range of settings, from city life and travel to professional environments and outdoor pursuits.
Named after the brightest star in the night sky, the Sirius Lightning Special Edition reinterprets the aesthetics of the classic sports watch through the interplay of light and contemporary materials. The play of light across its forged-carbon dial gives the model a dynamic character, while its bold case architecture and 100 metres of water resistance complete its sporty identity.
For more than half a century, Swiss Military Hanowa has continued to make watches guided by the same philosophy: creating timepieces designed to stand the test of time on the wrist. Urban yet adventurous, sporty yet refined, robust yet understated… Watches made to adapt effortlessly to every moment of life.
For more information about Roamer watches, which come with a seven-year warranty, please visit the official website of the brand’s distributor in Türkiye.
From Solothurn to the World: Roamer’s 138-Year Watchmaking Journey
