Hanhart 417 ES Tornado Maiden Flight 148 Pieces

50th Anniversary of the Tornado Maiden Flight: A Special Edition from Hanhart

August 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Tornado multirole combat aircraft. To commemorate this special occasion, Hanhart, in collaboration with PANAVIA Aircraft GmbH, presents the 417 ES Tornado Maiden Flight – a strictly limited special edition of only 148 pieces, referencing the date of the maiden flight, August 14, 1974. This watch is a tribute to an engineering masterpiece of aviation, combining historical details with state-of-the-art watchmaking.

Historical Design in Modern Perfection

The 417 ES Tornado Maiden Flight is like a time machine, bringing the distinctive design of early Hanhart models into the present day. Striking features include the finely polished bevels, which accentuate the transition from the satin-finished lugs to the flanks, creating an elegant contrast. The fluted bezel, a trademark of Hanhart, rotates smoothly in both directions. The red marker on the bezel, as well as the bi-compax dial layout, were designed precisely according to the historical model. The fonts and the Hanhart logo also follow the original designs of that era.

Technology at the Highest Level

Inside the watch, the Sellita AMT5100 M with flyback function operates – a precise and reliable column-wheel movement of Swiss-Made quality. It offers a power reserve of up to 58 hours after full winding and combines historical tradition with modern mechanics. The screwed stainless steel case back ensures robustness and protects the hand-wound movement. In contrast to the original model, the special edition is water-resistant up to 10 bar, which significantly increases its versatility.

Details That Tell a Story

A highlight of the watch is the dial, which features the roundel in the colors of the three partner nations (Germany, Italy, United Kingdom) below the running seconds at 9 o'clock – a detail that refers to the historical marking of the Tornado with the registration number P.01 D-9591. For better visibility, the eye of the seconds hand has been reduced in size to optimally showcase the roundel. The distinctive TORNADO logo adorns the lower half of the dial, while the case back shows an embossed top view of the Tornado with a wing sweep of 67°. Additionally, the location, date, flight duration, registration number, and the limitation number are engraved there.

Vintage Charm with Modern Comfort

The hour markers as well as the hour, minute, and stop-second hands are coated with Super-LumiNova® Old Radium, which not only ensures perfect legibility day and night but also emphasizes the watch's vintage character. The black calfskin bund strap with an Alcantara lining offers high wearing comfort. Alternatively, the watch is also available with a stainless steel bracelet. The stainless steel pin buckle features the historic Hanhart logo and ensures a secure fit.

A Watch That Celebrates History

The 417 ES Tornado Maiden Flight commemorates the historic maiden flight that took place on August 14, 1974. The Tornado, painted in white and rotor orange, took off with the call sign LUNA 23 from the test site of Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61. The aircraft was flown by a British-German crew: Paul Millett from the United Kingdom was in the front cockpit, while Nils Meister, a German test pilot, was in the rear cockpit. After 33 minutes of flight time, the aircraft landed safely in Ingolstadt/Manching.

Tradition and Precision for Decades

Since 1955, Hanhart has established itself as a reliable supplier to the German armed forces, delivering the first service watches for aircrews. The 417 ES Tornado Maiden Flight is based on the dimensions, function, and appearance of the original 417 ES service watch. It stands for Hanhart's commitment to the highest precision, perfect legibility, and robust craftsmanship. This strictly limited edition not only celebrates the history of an aircraft but also the tradition of a brand that has embodied unparalleled quality in watchmaking for decades.

Specifications

• Case
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Height: 13.3 mm with crystal (11.55 mm without crystal)
• Material: Stainless steel, satin-finished/polished, anti-magnetic up to 16,000 A/m according to DIN 8309
• Bezel: Fluted, continuously rotatable in both directions with a striking red insert
• Crystal: Highly domed, internally anti-reflective sapphire crystal – a tribute to the historical model
• Case back: Screwed stainless steel case back with detailed engraving of a Tornado aircraft and relevant data:
• Model: PANAVIA TORNADO P.01 D-9591
• Maiden Flight: ETSI, 14.08.1974
• Flight duration: 0:33 hours
• Limitation number: XXX/148
• Water resistance: Up to 10 bar (10 ATM) according to DIN 8310
• Shock protection: With Hanhart's movement damping for additional shock protection
• Movement
• Caliber: Hand-wound Sellita AMT5100 M with symmetrical pusher spacing
• Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz)
• Jewels: 23 jewels
• Power reserve: Up to 58 hours after full winding
• Functions:
• Flyback function for quick time intervals
• Small seconds
• 30-minute counter
• Bi-compax chronograph with central stop-second
• Stop-seconds device for precise setting
• Dial
• Design: Historical layout with TORNADO logo and roundel of the three partner nations (Germany, Italy, United Kingdom) at the small seconds at 9 o'clock
• Numerals: Coated with Super-LumiNova® old Radium GL for excellent legibility
• Hands:
• Coated with Super-LumiNova® old Radium GL
• Curved tips of minute and second hands to avoid parallax errors
• Strap
• Material:
• Black or brown calfskin with white stitching and comfortable leather underlay
• Inner side made of Alcantara for comfortable wearing
• Alternatively: Stainless steel bracelet
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Colors: Black or brown, both without rivets
• Clasp: Pin buckle with historical Hanhart logo