Hanhart 417 ES Mocha Flyback Date

Hanhart, in a new collaboration with Porsche Fahrer Magazin, has introduced an exclusive edition chronograph, the 417 ES Mocha Flyback Date. This timepiece aims to unite two distinct German legacies: the precision mechanical watchmaking of the Black Forest and the high-performance world of motorsport. While one field operates on the wrist and the other on the asphalt, this project suggests they share a common DNA. This shared identity is built on a mutual passion for mechanical precision, distinct character, and functional design that endures.



The 417 ES Mocha Flyback Date is positioned as a bridge between these two worlds. It connects the deep tradition of analog engineering with the fast-paced, modern reality of driving culture. The watch itself merges the iconic design of the historic 417 ES, a chronograph originally developed for pilots, with the standards of contemporary watchmaking. The result is a mechanical instrument that feels both historical and new, intended for an enthusiast who appreciates the mechanics of a flyback function as much as the feel of a manual transmission.



This new model taps directly into the lineage of the 417 ES, one of Hanhart's most celebrated designs. That original pilot's watch was a tool, built for a specific purpose where reliability and readability were paramount. This "Mocha" edition reinterprets that aviation heritage for a new context. While it retains the robust DNA of its predecessor, its aesthetic is tailored to evoke the feeling of a classic sports car cockpit, blending the heritage of the air with the passion of the road.



The most defining feature of this edition is its dial, presented in a deep, warm mocha brown. This color choice is evocative, suggesting the rich leather upholstery or polished wood trim of a classic automobile interior. It serves as a high-contrast background for the bright white numerals, which are applied to the dial to create a sense of depth. The layout is a classic "bicompax" configuration with a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and a small-seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock.



This dial is designed for optimal readability, a trait carried over from Hanhart's history as a supplier of pilot's watches. The large Arabic numerals, along with the main hands, are coated with Super-Luminova X2 C1, ensuring clear visibility in low-light conditions. The hands themselves are a pointed sword shape, and the minute and central-second hands feature a subtle but important detail: their tips are curved downwards towards the chapter ring. This bend is a considered watchmaking feature designed to reduce parallax error, the slight visual discrepancy that can occur when viewing the dial from an angle.



Functionality is cleanly integrated into the design. A date window is positioned at 6 o'clock, a location that maintains the dial's horizontal symmetry. The window is discreet, allowing the wearer to access the date at a glance without it disrupting the balance of the chronograph layout. The entire dial is protected by a high-domed sapphire crystal, which provides the vintage profile of old acrylic crystals but with modern scratch resistance.



This crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating on its inner surface. This is a deliberate and practical choice. While some watches feature anti-reflective coating on both sides, the outer layer is susceptible to smudging and scratching, which can eventually impair the view. By applying the coating only to the inside, Hanhart provides a clear view of the dial while ensuring the crystal's exterior remains as durable as the sapphire itself.



The 42 mm stainless steel case provides a modern and substantial platform for the watch. It measures 13.5 mm in height, with a lug-to-lug distance of 49.75 mm, giving it a confident presence on the wrist. The case finishing is a dynamic mix of satin-finished and polished surfaces. This contrast between the brushed elements and the mirror-polished areas, such as the smooth, fixed bezel, gives the watch a more refined and visually complex character.



This fixed bezel is smooth and shiny, framing the dial rather than rotating like a dive-watch bezel. The crown is appropriately sized for a manual-wind watch, which requires regular interaction, and is signed with the historical Hanhart "h" logo. The case back is a screw-down design, featuring a transparent sapphire crystal that offers an unobstructed view of the decorated movement within.



This exhibition case back, combined with the solid crown, secures the watch's water resistance up to 10 bar, or 10 ATM. This is equivalent to 100 meters, making the 417 ES Mocha Flyback Date perfectly capable of handling daily exposure to water, including swimming. The watch is also designated as shockproof, reinforcing its build quality as a robust and reliable daily wearer.



Each case back is engraved with a consecutive limitation number, marking it as one of only 200 pieces. This exclusivity is central to the collaboration. Another key feature of the case is the signature Hanhart detail: the red pusher at the 4 o'clock position. This pusher, crafted from HyCeram, is a hallmark of the brand and comes with its own history.



The legend behind the red pusher is a romantic one. It's said that a pilot's mistress, or wife, painted his chronograph pusher with her red nail polish. It was a colorful reminder for him to think of her during his dangerous missions and, most importantly, to return home safely. It transformed a piece of equipment into a personal totem.



The practical history of the red pusher is less romantic but just as important. The red color served as a visual warning to pilots. On a flyback chronograph, pressing the reset pusher (which this red button operates) while the chronograph is running causes it to instantly stop, reset, and restart. Accidentally hitting this pusher during a navigational timing leg would be a critical error. The red color provided a clear, functional distinction, a purpose that has now evolved into an iconic symbol of the brand's heritage.



Inside the 417 ES beats the AMT5100 M movement, a hand-wound caliber sourced from Sellita's "Manufacture AMT" department, which is dedicated to higher-end and more complex movements. This is a classic switching wheel (column wheel) caliber, a type of chronograph architecture prized by enthusiasts for the crisp and responsive tactile feedback it provides when the pushers are operated.



This movement is the "engine" that powers all the watch's complications. It provides the 30-minute counter, the small seconds, the date display, and the flyback function. The flyback, or "retour-en-vol," allows the user to restart the chronograph's timing function with a single press of the red pusher, eliminating the need for the standard three-step "stop-reset-start" sequence. This was once critical for pilots timing sequential flight legs.



The technical specifications of the movement are thoroughly modern. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hertz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, which allows for a smooth sweep of the central seconds hand and provides a stable base for accuracy. It contains 23 jewels and offers a robust power reserve of at least 58 hours, meaning it can be taken off on a Friday and will still be running on Monday. It also includes a hacking seconds function, which stops the second hand when the crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time-setting.



Hanhart's commitment to precision extends to its in-house regulation process. Each movement is tested and adjusted by watchmakers at the Hanhart manufactory in Gütenbach. The company's internal specification for rate accuracy is 0 to +8 seconds per day. The key detail is the "0," as Hanhart does not permit its watches to leave the facility running slow. This is based on what the brand calls the "German virtue of punctuality," ensuring the wearer might be a few seconds early, but never late due to their timepiece.



This watch is offered with two distinct strap options, each giving the 417 ES a different character. The first option is a dark brown calfskin strap that features a historic "bund" or lower band. This wide leather pad sits beneath the watch case, a style reminiscent of pilot's watches from the 1960s and 70s.



This bund strap was originally a functional piece of gear. In the early days of aviation, many watch cases were made of copper or brass alloys. When exposed to sweat, these materials could oxidize and cause skin irritation. The bund strap provided a protective leather barrier between the watch case and the pilot's wrist. Today, with hypoallergenic stainless steel cases, it endures as a powerful aesthetic choice.



Hanhart has modernized this vintage setup for maximum flexibility. The bund portion of the strap can be removed in seconds, allowing the owner to wear the watch on the simple two-piece calfskin strap for a more classic and less military-inspired look. The strap itself is lined with Alcantara, a soft and durable synthetic suede often used in the interiors of high-performance sports cars, which serves as a subtle nod to the Porsche Fahrer collaboration.



The strap system is also equipped with quick-change spring bars. This feature allows the owner to swap straps easily without the need for a special tool, further enhancing the watch's versatility. The lug width for the watch is 21 mm.



The second option available is a robust stainless-steel bracelet. This three-link bracelet features a folding clasp and is finished with the same combination of satin-brushed and polished surfaces found on the case. This option transforms the 417 ES, giving it a heavier, sportier, and more integrated feel on the wrist, making it a true all-purpose sports watch.



This timepiece is a clear expression of Hanhart's identity. The manufacturer, based in Gütenbach since 1882, has a long history as a pioneer in developing wrist chronographs and professional stopwatches. This heritage is the basis for their guiding maxim: "Others show the time, Hanhart measures it."



That philosophy is built on several key principles, all of which are present in this new release. It demands precision and reliability, which are addressed by the high-grade, in-house regulated movement. It requires perfect readability, delivered by the high-contrast mocha dial. It prioritizes simple, safe operation, which is the entire purpose of the iconic red pusher. Finally, it promises maximum robustness, which is embodied by the 100-meter water-resistant and shockproof stainless-steel case.



The Hanhart 417 ES Mocha Flyback Date is a special-edition release, strictly limited to 200 pieces worldwide. This limited availability underscores its nature as a collector's item for those who appreciate both German watchmaking and German automotive engineering. The watch is priced at $3,092 when configured with the dark brown calfskin strap and $3,322 when selected on the stainless-steel bracelet.



Case: 42 mm diameter, 13.50 mm height, 49.75 mm lug-to-lug. Satin-finished/polished stainless steel. Smooth, shiny bezel. Convex, internally anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Screw-down sapphire crystal case back. Water resistant to 10 bar/10 ATM. Red pusher made from HyCeram®.

Movement: Sellita AMT5100 M hand-wound caliber. Flyback function, small second, 30-minute counter, hacking seconds, and date display. 58-hour minimum power reserve. 23 jewels. 28,800 A/h (4 Hz). Regulated to 0 to +8 seconds per day.

Dial: Mocha-brown color. Historical Hanhart logo. Super-Luminova X2 C1 coated numerals and hands. Minute and second hands curved at the end to avoid parallax errors.

Strap: Dark brown calfskin with Alcantara inside and removable bund-strap OR stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp. 21 mm lug width. Quick-release spring bars.

Price: $3092 (leather strap), $3322 (steel bracelet).

Reference Number: H721L.282-7110 (Leather M), H721L.282-7112 (Leather L), H721L.282-6428 (Steel bracelet).

Notes: Limited to 200 pieces worldwide. A collaboration with "Porsche Fahrer Magazin". Features Hanhart's signature red flyback pusher and a date window at 6 o'clock.