Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback Review

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Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback

These days, many brands are reviving iconic models from the past, and Hanhart has followed suit with the 417 ES. However, this one is the Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback, and it appears to be one that collectors of Hanhart have highly requested. An all black dial, a Flyback Chrono, and maybe most requested, the ceramic (HyCeram) red reset pusher. This was something noticeably absent from previous 417 ES models. However, it’s now available in both 39 mm and 42mm models, and I requested the 42mm model with the stainless bracelet for this review. This one retails for just about $3000, more if you want the bracelet, and it may be the best 417 ES yet.

Specifications

• Watch diameter (mm): 42.0

• Watch height (mm): 13.3

• Lug width (mm): 21

• Lug to lug (mm): 49

• 21mm Lug Width

• Weight on Bracelet (Grams): 175.5 

• Water resistance: 100 meters

• Case metal: Stainless steel

• Super-LumiNova® X2 C3 coated

• Front crystal and Back Sapphire

• Movement: Sellita AMT5100

•  Red pusher made of HyCeram®

Watchbuy’s Price $2980

https://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Hanhart-417-ES-Heritage-Flyback-Column-Wheel-Chronograph-42-mm-152p8073.htm

At its core, the Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback is the same as the originals introduced in 2022 (417 ES was reintroduced in 2020, but the Flyback in 2022). It just happens to combine a few things from other variations into one. The only thing that hasn’t been present until now is the red reset pusher, which has been on most Hanhart pilot watches since 1939. For whatever reason, it wasn’t on the original 417 ES, and while the 417 has been a huge hit for the German brand, fans and collectors wanted the red pusher. And now it’s available with the all black dial, and with the Flyback column wheel chronograph.

The ceramic or, in this case, Hyceram pusher (60% ceramic and 40% polymer) is functional as well, as it was invented to prevent pilots from accidentally resetting their stop time, as that could have been very dangerous. While it’s not something that would be really used today with all the advancements of technology and pilots not relying on a wristwatch for flight times and such, it’s been a staple of Hanhart collections for so long that it almost looked out of place to have the 417 ES without it. It’s also just nice to match the red from the bezel indicator somewhere else on the watch as well, it’s just more aesthetically cohesive, at least in my opinion.

Everything about the black dial of this Hanhart 417 ES heritage Flyback is the same as on the one I reviewed back in 2023, but now it adds the Flyback text above shockproof. It’s still a 30-minute counter and has a sub-seconds dial, it’s a matte black dial, printed markers, and pencil hands. Like all the other 417 models and the Pioneer lineup, the second hand is curved to reduce parallax due to the use of the domed sapphire crystal. That is another staple in Hanhart models (though not exclusive to Hanhart), and I’ve always liked the way it looks. 

 

The flyback versions using the Sellita AMT 5100 M movements debuted in 2022, and many were happy to see that. It was available in both 39 and 42mm, but you could only see the movement through the exhibition case back on the 42mm, and that has not changed. Hanhart has chosen to keep the look and function of the original for the 1954 39mm, and thus it has a solid case back to give it the antimagnetic properties.

And the original non-flyback 417 ES models had closed case backs as well, so it wasn’t until the introduction of these movements that you could get the exhibition case backs on the 42mm. The movement doesn’t add anything to the function; it’s just done via the column wheel instead of a cam system, and having a very antimagnetic watch is a plus, no doubt, but I do admit I love watching this movement, and am glad that they chose to show it off.

Beyond the movement and the red pusher, this Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The case is the same as originally released. It’s still 100m water resistant, employs a push-pull crown, and of course, being a manual movement, you will need to wind the watch every 58 hours or so, which is the power reserve, assuming that you fully wind the movement each time. The case finishing is the same as well, mostly brushed with some elements of high polish, and that fluted bezel with red indicator still has that nice gliding feel about it.

Both the 1954 39mm and this 42mm Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback are available on either the bund strap or the stainless steel bracelet. Again, they are unchanged from the other variants. I chose to have the bracelet sent with it, as I prefer the bracelet over the strap, even though the leather band is the traditional strap. Its a great 3 link oyster style bracelet with screws in the links, quick release pins for the solid end links (end links are a separate piece), and the push button clasp with retro Hanhart logo. The clasp does have 3 microadjustment holes and an old school style extension-still no modern quick tool-less adjustment clasp yet. For whatever reason, I did forget to snap a pic of the clasp, so below is from my original 42mm review, but it is the identical bracelet on this new Heritage model.

Because of the lack of changes to the case and bracelet, it should not surprise anyone that it wears the same as all the others. I love the 42mm size on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist, but if you feel the dimensions are too large for you, you can always opt for the 39mm, and though you lose the exhibition case back, you’ll never see it on your wrist. What you will see is that red reset pusher, adding just a touch more color here versus previous models of the 417.

One minor change from the original I reviewed, the lume got a bit of an upgrade to X2 C3 Superluminova. In the daytime, it has a weird, slightly greenish yellow hue on the hour and minute hands, a little more yellow than I am used to with C3, but in the dark, it glows with intensity and looks great.  I found it will glow for around 5 hours before going completely dim. As always, Hanhart delivers when it comes to lume.

While the red pusher might not be a massive change and is realistically nothing more than an aesthetic change, it is something I can believe fans were clamoring for, and combining it with the all black dial and the Flyback movement, the Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback is a welcome addition to the lineup. I find the 42mm version of this to be the best because it shows off that beautiful movement, but of course, that is subjective.

Something that is not subjective is the price, or more specifically, that the price has gone up. In 2022, when the Flyback versions were released, the price was $2560, and now they are retailing for $2980, and another $380 if you want that stainless bracelet. It’s not surprising considering all that has happened in the last 3 years, and then with the tariff thing going on, well, a lot of things cost more than they did a few years ago, right now. Yes, it’s a hefty price tag, but not more so than other comparable watches, and if you just can’t justify it, the standard 42mm version is $500 less, with basically the same look.

*At publication date (6-26-25), this Hanhart 417 ES Heritage Flyback is currently sold out in both sizes on the Hanhart website, with an estimated restock in September. They are currently in stock on Watchbuys in the US.

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