by Brent Robillard
Historic revival
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of covering a number of Hanhart’s modern releases—from the 415 ES Iconic to both versions of the 417 ES 1954. Each time, we’ve come away impressed not only by the brand’s technical execution but also by the way it weaves historical storytelling into contemporary watchmaking. That tradition continues with the new 417 ES Flyback Heritage, a timepiece that revisits a legendary chronograph with an added twist (or rather, a reset).
We didn’t have the chance to go hands-on with this one—at least not yet—but having handled so many of its siblings, we feel confident saying this watch is likely up to Hanhart’s typically high standards. And when we ran into CEO Felix Wallner at the Vancouver Timepiece Show, his enthusiasm for the Flyback Heritage made it clear: this one’s special.
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Key Features of the Hanhart 417 ES Flyback Heritage
Red Means Go (Back)
One of the most distinctive design cues on any Hanhart chronograph is the red pusher. It’s the kind of detail that catches the eye and invites questions. Legend has it that a pilot’s partner once dabbed the reset button with red nail polish before a mission—a quiet promise to return. While that story remains unverified, the function of the red pusher is far from sentimental: it served as a safeguard, ensuring pilots wouldn’t accidentally activate the flyback mid-flight.
On the new 417 ES Flyback Heritage, that iconic pusher returns—this time rendered in red HyCeram®, a hybrid ceramic and polymer material that offers both durability and a subtle gloss. It’s a clever modernization of a design rooted in necessity, and one that gives the watch immediate personality.
Flyback in Style
As with the original Bundeswehr-issued 417 ES chronographs, this new model comes with a flyback function—or “speed switch,” as it’s sometimes called. Unlike a standard chronograph, which requires a three-step process to time a second event, a flyback lets you reset and restart the chronograph with a single push. For pilots or anyone measuring consecutive intervals, it’s a game-changer.
Powering that function is the Sellita AMT5100 M, a hand-wound column-wheel calibre with a 58-hour power reserve and a smooth 4Hz beat. In typical Hanhart fashion, each movement is regulated to within 0 to +8 seconds per day, with no allowance for time loss—a commitment to punctuality that feels distinctly German. We haven’t yet looked through the sapphire display back on the 42mm version, but we’re betting it’s as satisfying as the numbers on paper suggest.
Two Sizes, One Soul
The Flyback Heritage comes in both 39mm and 42mm case sizes—a welcome move that caters to both vintage purists and modernists alike. The 39mm version mirrors the dimensions of the original 417 ES, and its solid antimagnetic case back nods to its military heritage. The 42mm model, meanwhile, adds a sapphire window for movement lovers.
Both versions feature a brushed and polished stainless steel case with a fluted, bidirectional bezel and signature red index marker. The convex sapphire crystal is slightly domed and treated with internal anti-reflective coating, ensuring crisp visibility without distracting glare. Like every good tool watch, this one’s built for the field—with 10 ATM of water resistance and sharp finishing that toes the line between function and form.
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A Familiar Face
The dial is unmistakably Hanhart: matte black, with bicompax subdials, cathedral hands, and bold Arabic numerals—all lumed with Super-LumiNova® X2 C3. The minute and chronograph seconds hands are subtly bent at the tip to reduce parallax, a thoughtful touch for those who value precision.
There’s no date, no extraneous text. Just the historic Hanhart logo and a chronograph built to measure time, not just display it.
Strap In
Options abound here. You can go classic with a leather strap in black, dark brown, or light brown—with or without bund-style backing—or opt for a stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. Lug widths vary slightly between the two sizes (20mm and 21mm, respectively), but each strap is finished with Hanhart’s vintage-style “h” pin buckle.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39/42mm Diameter 46/49.75mm Lug to Lug 20/21mm Lug width 13.3mm Thick (11.55mm w/out glass) Bidirectional Fluted Bezel Screw Down Case Back 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Textured Dial Syringe Handset (minute/second hand bent to negate parallax errors) Printed Indices C3 Super-LumiNova (GL Coated) |
| Movement | Sellita AMT5100 M 0 to +8 seconds per day, as an average across all positions 23 Jewels 28 800vph 58 Hours on a Full Wind |
| Strap | 3-Link Stainless Steel Bracelet Leather Strap Options |
Hanhart 417 ES Flyback Heritage
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Final Thoughts
At The Calibrated Wrist, we’ve long been fans of Hanhart’s unique approach to modern heritage. Few brands manage to blend wartime function, romantic lore, and real-world wearability the way Hanhart does—and this latest 417 ES Flyback Heritage is a shining example.
While we haven’t yet strapped it on, all signs point to another winner from Gütenbach. It’s a flyback chronograph that honors its origins without getting stuck in the past—one red pusher at a time.
Pricing & Availability
Pricing starts at €2,590 on leather and climbs to €2,790 with the bracelet—positioning it squarely in the sweet spot for a mechanical flyback chronograph of this quality. For more information, please visit the brand website.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
Interesting point made with ‘measure of time- not just a display of it’ … apropos of life. We see time flashing by and note the time frequently all day long – however – if one can simply measure each minute with purpose , the quality of that time is immeasurably improved- like Hanhart.