HANHART | 'FLIEGER', REF 417 MILITARY NICKEL-PLATED BRASS FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH CIRCA 1955

The Hanhart 417 family encompasses the plated refs 417 and 417E in addition to the stainless steel ref. 417SE, famously worn by Steve McQueen as part of his personal watch rotation.

The present nickel plated reference 417 was produced in small numbers (said to be below 1000 pieces) and features the matte, grainy plating to its case. The timepiece was manufactured during the 1950s and belongs to the "post war" production batch. Its 39 mm diameter and snap-on back differentiate it from its 38 mm stainless steel counterpart, fitted with a screw-down back. The purely functional and highly legible black dial furthermore bears no text below the center of the dial, a seemingly consistent feature of the plated 417 models. The contemporary sized chronograph is powered by the flyback caliber 41, which supersedes the monopusher cal. 40. 

The present example stands in very appealing condition and features the German Bundeseigentum text to the back (translating into Federal Property), flanked by the Eagle and the numbers 6 and 7, echoing to the German military ties of this rare watch. The 417 was also issued in a "Bundeswehr" engraving, translating into "Armed Forces. The reference 417 was officially discontinued in 1958.