HP Hercules Polished Tantalum
This is a hands-on review of the HP Hercules in polished tantalum, a material known for its density and unique blue-gray hue. The watch draws inspiration from the original Henzi & Pfaff Hercules timepieces, famously worn by mountaineer Hermann Buhl during his 1953 ascent of Nanga Parbat, with modern Swiss-made versions combining vintage design with Alpine storytelling. The review highlights the watch's substantial heft, detailed dial options, and a unique lumed movement.
- Price: €14,995
The HP Hercules in polished tantalum is noted for its substantial heft due to the dense metal, which also gives the case a distinct blue-gray hue compared to steel or titanium.
The watch features a classic exploration dial layout with applied Arabic numerals and markers, available in textured Snow White, Ice Blue, Ice Pink, and Ice Green, as well as a plain black dial.
The hand-wound movement from Manufacture Horlogère Vallée de Joux has two barrels, a 120-hour power reserve, and features topographic engravings of Nanga Parbat on its bridges, illuminated with Super-LumiNova.
The movement is chronometer-certified by Timelab in Geneva to ISO 3159 standards, ensuring accuracy within -4 to +6 seconds per day after casing.
The design references the original Henzi & Pfaff Hercules timepieces, worn by mountaineer Hermann Buhl on Nanga Parbat in 1953, with the modern brand continuing the Alpine storytelling theme.
The brand offers a unique delivery experience where ordered watches are presented at a traditional mountain restaurant after a helicopter pickup.