German manufacturer Hanhart has presented the new 417 C Flyback timepiece in collaboration with Chronos ? the German sister magazine of WatchTime. The watch features a hand-wound flyback chronograph that has some exciting special features in store. We had the opportunity to wear the watch beforehand, but before we delve into our experience, let’s explore a bit of its fascinating historical background.

The origins of the 417 date back to the mid-1950s when the newly established West German Bundeswehr required a wrist chronograph with a flyback function for its pilots. This function allowed for the initiation of a new measurement while the chronograph was already in operation. It eliminated the need to stop and reset the chronograph before restarting, a significant advantage for specific flight maneuvers, such as maintaining consistent lengths in triangular or oval flight paths.
Hanhart supplied these watches to the German armed forces for approximately a decade. Notably, actor and racing driver Steve McQueen sported this chronograph at numerous motorbike races and even featured it in the 1962 film “The War Lover.” Today, vintage examples of the 417 are highly sought-after collector’s items, often fetching impressive prices at auctions.

The original model came in two versions: the 417 in nickel-plated brass and the 417 ES in stainless steel. The design of the new Hanhart limited edition 417 C draws inspiration from the unique character tha...