Along with a Hanhart 417 ES, I have owned chronographs from Parmigiani, Omega, TAG Heuer, Zenith, Bulgari, Tudor, Fortis and vintage Heuer). The Hanhart is singularly one of the finest value propositions in the world of chronographs bar none. The watch is truly aesthetically beautiful and well crafted with a knurled coin edge bidirectional bezel with the red marker which permits easy dive watch type timing for simple daily tasks (i.e. cooking) where a chronograph is overkill. The visibility of the dial, indices and subregisters, the main handset and the subregister hands are all extraordinary and easy for the eye to follow. The subregisters of the Hanhart can easily be read and tracked with the naked eye which is not the case with many more “illustrious” chronograph references. The manual wind movement with 58 hour power reserve combined with the lack of a calendar complication is true to Hanhart history but has an even more important contemporary significance which may be lost on some people new to chronographs. Chronographs have more parts and complexity than other types of movements. By eliminating an automatic movement and a date complication, there are fewer things which can go wrong with a Hanhart chronograph during long term ownership and service life. The choice of a column wheel actuated chronograph versus a cam actuated chronograph is a manufacturer choice which heightens chronograph precision and accuracy with smoother actuation. The use of the column wheel is associated with higher level chronographs and is an instance where Hanhart is choosing to make a mechanical choice that will really enhance the chronograph experience for the end user even though column wheel actuation is more complex than cam actuation and engenders slight more potential service issues in the long haul. In the trade off of the complex versus the simple, a serious chronograph buyer would be more interested in seeing the column wheel architecture than either automatic winding or a date complication. One of the most important upgrades to current Hanhart 417 ES references is the upgrade to 100 feet (10 bar) of water resistance which is a significant advancement in the utility of a chronograph in real world conditions. The new 39mm 1954 variants (the original case diameter by the way) give people an alternative to the 42mm case size. Finally, to those new to bund straps, you have a wonderful experience to enjoy. Besides the historicity of bund straps in German flieger watch history, bund straps are amazingly comfortable (think of them as cowboy boots for the wrist). Nobody makes a better and more comfortable bund strap than the OEM Hanhart bund straps. Along with Heuer, Hanhart historically was a major stop watch manufacturer from 1924 on servicing the needs of European sports timing so the brand which was founded in Switzerland in 1882 and moved to Germany in 1902 is not a Johnny come lately even if many Americans are not familiar with it. The Hanhart 417 ES is literally worthy of being considered a top all around chronograph for people new to chronographs and military spec watches (the 417 ES was first developed by Hanhart for the German military in 1954).
Great Watch here Bobby 👌 I first came across the 417ES two years ago at a Watch fair Hanhart were exhibiting at. Tried one on and was in love straight away. I think the 42mm version is a better fit for me rather than the 39mm reissue of the one Steve McQueen wore. A solid Chronograph from a company with great heritage in making Stopwatches and Chronographs. I just need the money to get one!! Great video by the way ✊
Excellent show, I love my reverse panda version - really cool lume. The bund that comes with it is super soft leather and it looks stunning on it but just not the best in a hot climate.
Great choice. My friend just picked up a nice reverse panda flyback version with the Lumed sub dials for well under $2k used. Great find. Would have been my choice, too, as I really like that version. As far as bund straps are concerned. Not my favorite strap type. BUT, I will wear one with certain watches. It has to be cut right and not be that thick. I think certain watches do look very appropriate on a bund strap. I have a Sinn 155 S, basically a Bundeswehr military pilot chronograph which has much of the same design features as this Hanhart, and it came on a nice black leather bund strap. I like to wear it on it from time to time. Being a "Bundeswehr", it is definitely fitting it be worn on the strap that it's named after.
Absolutely love this watch, bought it as soon as it came out. Completely agree, this watch screams for the bund! Great video and awesome pickup! And the coin edge bezel just adds that extra sneeze and style, best chrono for the price imo.
Hey there bobby , I had a question/request. Could you please measure and let me know the crystal size of the Citizen AQ4091 40mm watch u have so that I can get an idea of the dial size . I would be very grateful to you if you can answer that , thanks.
Great video! I love mine- was my first German watch and has sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole since then lol. The version I got was a special edition made to order by them with an aluminum bronze bezel, crown and pushers, and gilt handsets... also a flyback chrono :)
Along with a Hanhart 417 ES, I have owned chronographs from Parmigiani, Omega, TAG Heuer, Zenith, Bulgari, Tudor, Fortis and vintage Heuer). The Hanhart is singularly one of the finest value propositions in the world of chronographs bar none. The watch is truly aesthetically beautiful and well crafted with a knurled coin edge bidirectional bezel with the red marker which permits easy dive watch type timing for simple daily tasks (i.e. cooking) where a chronograph is overkill. The visibility of the dial, indices and subregisters, the main handset and the subregister hands are all extraordinary and easy for the eye to follow. The subregisters of the Hanhart can easily be read and tracked with the naked eye which is not the case with many more “illustrious” chronograph references. The manual wind movement with 58 hour power reserve combined with the lack of a calendar complication is true to Hanhart history but has an even more important contemporary significance which may be lost on some people new to chronographs. Chronographs have more parts and complexity than other types of movements. By eliminating an automatic movement and a date complication, there are fewer things which can go wrong with a Hanhart chronograph during long term ownership and service life. The choice of a column wheel actuated chronograph versus a cam actuated chronograph is a manufacturer choice which heightens chronograph precision and accuracy with smoother actuation. The use of the column wheel is associated with higher level chronographs and is an instance where Hanhart is choosing to make a mechanical choice that will really enhance the chronograph experience for the end user even though column wheel actuation is more complex than cam actuation and engenders slight more potential service issues in the long haul. In the trade off of the complex versus the simple, a serious chronograph buyer would be more interested in seeing the column wheel architecture than either automatic winding or a date complication. One of the most important upgrades to current Hanhart 417 ES references is the upgrade to 100 feet (10 bar) of water resistance which is a significant advancement in the utility of a chronograph in real world conditions. The new 39mm 1954 variants (the original case diameter by the way) give people an alternative to the 42mm case size. Finally, to those new to bund straps, you have a wonderful experience to enjoy. Besides the historicity of bund straps in German flieger watch history, bund straps are amazingly comfortable (think of them as cowboy boots for the wrist). Nobody makes a better and more comfortable bund strap than the OEM Hanhart bund straps. Along with Heuer, Hanhart historically was a major stop watch manufacturer from 1924 on servicing the needs of European sports timing so the brand which was founded in Switzerland in 1882 and moved to Germany in 1902 is not a Johnny come lately even if many Americans are not familiar with it. The Hanhart 417 ES is literally worthy of being considered a top all around chronograph for people new to chronographs and military spec watches (the 417 ES was first developed by Hanhart for the German military in 1954).
Thanks Howard!
All that is true, however I, and I'm sure many others, would appreciate a date for all-time wearing. The manual wind is definitely a plus
Yep Bund strap all the way. Belongs on it and just gives it that extra kick of old world charm.
True
Great Watch here Bobby 👌 I first came across the 417ES two years ago at a Watch fair Hanhart were exhibiting at. Tried one on and was in love straight away. I think the 42mm version is a better fit for me rather than the 39mm reissue of the one Steve McQueen wore. A solid Chronograph from a company with great heritage in making Stopwatches and Chronographs. I just need the money to get one!! Great video by the way ✊
Thanks Thomas!!!
Excellent show, I love my reverse panda version - really cool lume. The bund that comes with it is super soft leather and it looks stunning on it but just not the best in a hot climate.
I love the reverse panda version! great pick!
Great choice. My friend just picked up a nice reverse panda flyback version with the Lumed sub dials for well under $2k used. Great find. Would have been my choice, too, as I really like that version.
As far as bund straps are concerned. Not my favorite strap type. BUT, I will wear one with certain watches. It has to be cut right and not be that thick. I think certain watches do look very appropriate on a bund strap.
I have a Sinn 155 S, basically a Bundeswehr military pilot chronograph which has much of the same design features as this Hanhart, and it came on a nice black leather bund strap. I like to wear it on it from time to time. Being a "Bundeswehr", it is definitely fitting it be worn on the strap that it's named after.
I love the Sinn 155 S!!!
Absolutely love this watch, bought it as soon as it came out. Completely agree, this watch screams for the bund! Great video and awesome pickup! And the coin edge bezel just adds that extra sneeze and style, best chrono for the price imo.
Super cool watch
This is the model I think of as the definitive German chronograph
agreed!
Hey there bobby , I had a question/request. Could you please measure and let me know the crystal size of the Citizen AQ4091 40mm watch u have so that I can get an idea of the dial size . I would be very grateful to you if you can answer that , thanks.
Nice looking watch, keep it on the bund
Thanks, will do!
Great video! I love mine- was my first German watch and has sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole since then lol. The version I got was a special edition made to order by them with an aluminum bronze bezel, crown and pushers, and gilt handsets... also a flyback chrono :)
Thanks for the comment and your support!!! I love that bronze bezel version you picked up!
👍