Borna Boschunjak
How do watches become legendary? First of all, you need a story of good origin, and hopefully something with a recognizable face to carry it. As for Hanhart, there are a few relationships with the brand’s red pusher and the most impactful Steve McQueen. So, if you summarise these two things, especially in response to fan feedback, it’s very simple why the new Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback can do a lot. The German brand has basically reissued 417 ES 1954 since 2022, but the recipe is familiar as it adds two important features. The first thing I have already hinted at is something you can see, the other is hidden under the hood. Let’s see how these subtle changes can make a good watch even better.
case
Starting with the case, the new 417 ES Heritage flyback is available in either 39mm or 42mm diameter. This is something Hanhart has been offering for a while, and fans will be especially happy when smaller variants are introduced. Due to the internal mechanical chronograph movement, the thickness is at 13.3mm, which is not too bad. The 46mm lug-to-lug fits almost any wrist.
Despite being a tool watch, it has a very nice case finish. The sides and top of the rug are finely polished, but the pushers and bevels have some really nice refined highlights. And speaking of highlights, the red pusher is the most distinctive thing. The story is about an astronaut looking down at the clock and finding the pusher painted in red nail polish as a memento of his beloved. Even Hanhart admits that this may just be a story, but it’s cute. Originally, even early Hanhart had a flyback function, so there was a functional purpose, so if you were involved in the wrong time, important timing sequences could be accidentally reset. In the new 417 ES Heritage Flyback, the red pusher is made with Hyceram. This is a blend made from an invicon chemical solution consisting of 60% ceramic, with additional polymers.
Dial
In many cases, brands make changes to the watch just for changes rather than implementing new features or improvements, but we will report that Hanhart did not do that on the dial. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll make any changes to the ultra-height Black 417 ES dial (Moby Dick is pretty hot too). Nods to the vintage stuff in Open 6 and Hanhart scripts, the perfect sized subdials do not interfere with minute tracks or time indexes. The syringe handset allows for a lot of light that is not what we always see, including a thin strip of the central chrono hand. And if you wanted something different, Hanhart still offers a 415 ES with that winged logo.
strap
Perhaps the most unpleasant design feature of many of Hanhart’s Vandeswale-inspired pieces is the strap. Returning ol’McQueen to the conversation for a moment, he was famous for wearing his example with a band strap named for its German origins. I’m not a normal fan, but I think it’s an absolute treat with the 417 ES (and generally Hanhart), but the good news is that you can easily remove any additional layers and become a traditional two-piece leather strap. Either way, you get high quality leather on your wrist and even have the option of a steel bracelet with a 20mm lug width providing even more aftermarket flexibility.
Movement
For other major updates to the 417 ES Heritage Flyback, you’ll need to look under the caseback, but the 39mm we reviewed makes it even more difficult. The 42mm variant comes with an open case bag, but Hanhart points out that the 39mm has a “climagnetic case” without quantifying the difference in co-magnetic resistance.
While perusing the above images for visual reference, it is no surprise that Hanhart learns based on the name of the new model that added flyback functionality to the 417 ES. Previous iterations used the Sellita SW510, but the 417 ES Heritage Flyback upgrade is now the AMT5100 M. So the AMT5100 isn’t just a renamed SW510 with flybacks. Additionally, the CAM-operated chronograph has been upgraded to Column Wheel 1, and is visible in a bright blue on the right side of the crown. However, most architectures are preserved. Unfortunately, there are simple, striped finishes, such as the large central bridge that covers many components. I certainly am not against closed casebacks as it was not my favorite chrono movement. In addition to its appearance, it also has a 58-hour power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate, and is still an attractive entry-level Swiss chronograph.
verdict
This is very easy to summarise people. It’s a better watch. The red pusher is a cute nod to the brand’s past, and the movement is an upgrade not only for complications (along with vintage Han hearts to line up more closely), and is also upgraded with a user-friendly one due to the column wheel. But I have to admit indiscretion. Did you know that you said the dial wasn’t changed at all? Sadly, that wasn’t true. The new Heritage Flyback added a third text at 6am and read “Flyback” and thought the symmetry of the 1954 2-liner was better, in the spirit of unnecessary nitpicking. However, at just 300 euros more than its non-flyback predecessor, the 417 ES Heritage Flyback is still a big purchase.
Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback Pricing and Availability
Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback is now available. Price: 2,590 euros
Brand Han Heart Model 417 ES Heritage Flyback Reference Number H701.212 Case Dimensions 39mm(D) x 13.3mm(T) x 46mm(LTL) Case Material Stainless Steel Water Resistant 100m, Threaded Down Crown Crystal (S) Box Domed Sapphire Front Dial Dial Power Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Manga Man
