A pilot device for a hydraulic directional valve includes a displacement sensor, a pilot valve, an actuating device, a coil assembly, and a circuit board. The displacement sensor has a sensor axis and the pilot valve has a valve axis. The valve axis and the sensor axis are arranged substantially parallel to one another so as to lie in a reference plane. The actuating device and the coil assembly are arranged adjacent to one another. The circuit board is arranged parallel to the reference plane. In each case, to establish an electrical contact, the coil assembly, the actuating device, and an electrical plug connection are either soldered directly to the circuit board or are in breakable electrical contact with a respectively associated, rigid contact assembly. The contact assembly is soldered directly to the circuit board.