417 ES 1954 Heritage Flyback

The 417 ES Heritage Flyback is the big icon for the watch manufacturer Hanhart from the Black Forest. It revives an iconic chronograph originally developed for the German Bundeswehr in the 1950s. It embodies a rich heritage of military timekeeping, combining historical authenticity with modern watchmaking standards. The "ES" stands for "Edelstahl" (stainless steel), reflecting its robust and corrosion-resistant case material. Its design remains faithful to the original, with small dials at 3 and 9, fluted bezel with red marking, and large pushers for ease of use. The watch features a domed sapphire crystal, enhancing durability while preserving vintage aesthetics. It is powered by the reliable hand-wound column wheel Flyback movement AMT5100 from Sellita, catering to purists. The 417 ES stands out due to its excellent legibility, with bold Arabic numerals and luminous hands ideal for any lighting condition. It symbolizes the revival of Hanhart’s legacy in precision chronographs. Overall, the 417 ES blends history, functionality, and craftsmanship into a timepiece with genuine collector appeal.

THE RED PUSHER

He tenderly pressed a kiss to her sleeping forehead before quietly leaving the apartment. When he looked at his Hanhart chronograph in the hangar, a smile flitted across his lips: she had painted the pusher with her red nail polish so that he would always think of her and return safely ...

It is unclear whether this legend is true, but the red pusher originally had a practical purpose: the signal color was intended to prevent pilots from accidentally resetting the stop time. Many of the historic Hanhart calibres were equipped with a flyback function, which could have serious consequences if pressed incorrectly, for example when used for navigation purposes.

The red pusher was therefore not just a design element, but a safety measure that protected users from possible errors.

The HyCeram® pusher combines the advantages of 60% micro-fine ceramic and modern 3D cross-linked polymers. The result is a hybrid ceramic with an elegant and high-quality appearance.

PRECISION IN TIME WITH HISTORY - THE FLYBACK FUNCTION

The flyback function has long been part of Hanhart's DNA. The historic 417 ES, once developed for the pilots of the German Armed Forces, already had this practical complication. It enables a new time interval to be started immediately with just one press of the reset button, without having to stop the stop mechanism first.

With the new 417 ES Heritage Flyback, this function now returns to Hanhart's most popular collection. The chronograph is powered by the high-quality hand-wound AMT5100 M caliber from Sellita's “Manufacture AMT” department. The movement works with a classic column wheel, offers a power reserve of at least 58 hours and beats at 4 Hertz - robust, precise and built for everyday use as well as for use in demanding conditions.

The combination of historical design, iconic red pusher and modern technology makes the new 417 ES Heritage Flyback a chronograph that masterfully combines functionality and fascination.

DETAILS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Like all models in the 417 ES collection, the design of the new Heritage Flyback is closely based on the original Bundeswehr chronograph from the 1950s. Particularly striking: the fluted bezel with red position markers - a typical Hanhart style feature that can be rotated continuously in both directions.

The dial also quotes the historical original in almost every detail: the classic Hanhart layout with small dials at 3 and 9 o'clock, the redrawn numerals and fonts as well as the brand lettering from back then look like a journey back in time on the wrist.

Thanks to the generous use of Super-LumiNova® X2 C3 on the numerals and hands, the watch remains extremely easy to read even in the dark. Especially the lumed chronograph second hand in the center is an eye-catcher.

THE GERMAN VIRTUE OF PUNCTUALITY

The Hanhart standard with regard to the accuracy of the watches is as unique as the watches themselves. Every single movement is tested and adjusted by excellently trained watchmakers at the Hanhart manufactory in Gütenbach. The Hanhart specifications for rate accuracy are 0 to +8 seconds per day on average over 6 positions. This corresponds to the same deviation as +-4 seconds, but Hanhart does not allow a minus second in the main positions. The German virtue of punctuality dictates that wearers of Hanhart watches should not be late because of the timekeeping device on their wrist. In addition, a maximum delta of 10 seconds is permitted between the positions.

OTHERS MAY SHOW THE TIME, HANHART MEASURES IT

As a pioneer in the development of wrist chronographs and stopwatches, Hanhart has played an outstanding role in the history of the German watch industry. With a passion for technical inventiveness, Hanhart continues to set the highest standards for itself today and is guided by the following maxims: precision and reliability, perfect readability and simple, safe operation as well as maximum robustness. Since 1882, the watch manufacturer has been producing timepieces that combine perfection with unmistakable design. Development, production and sales of the mechanical masterpieces are based in Gütenbach in the Black Forest.