Hanhart REVOLUTION Limited Edition Bronze 417 Chronograph

[carl]

Also know as Hanhart x The Rake & Revolution Limited Edition Bronze 417 Chronograph. REVOLUTION is "an integrated lifestyle magazine that celebrates the mechanical watch." RAKE is "The world's preeminent publication dedicated to the renaissance in gentlemanly sophistication and style. The Rake provides incisive, in-depth features on timeless menswear, fine timepieces, luxury automobiles, elegant dining, and other aspects of gentlemanly living." Both are printed and circulated by Revolution Media Pte Ltd, Singapore.

On August 7, 2020, the Limited Edition of 150 was announced. Produced by Hanhart, sold and shipped by Revolution, Singapore. I won't go into a lot of detail about the watch, other than to say it is a reissue of the iconic Hanhart 417 Chronograph worn by Steve McQueen. An excellent article published on Aug. 7, 2020 by Wei Koh, founder of Revolution Magazine, can be found here:
www.revolution.watch/introducing-the-hanhart-x-the-rake-revolution-limited-edition-bronze-417-chronograph/

The main disparity between the original and the reissue is that the original was slightly less than 40mm, and the reissue is 42mm. Not a big deal, but just to point out that the article states the original was also 42mm.

Of particular interest to me was not the fact that the 417 was worn by Steve McQueen, but the fact it perfectly resembles a Tutima Flieger 1941 which I passed up a few years ago. Since that time, I have been constantly checking out pre owned models, but haven't really come up with anything I wanted to risk purchasing. The Tutima had a manually winding movement, and was one, if not the, last flieger of this type issued by Tutima. Since then, they have totally revamped and modernized their model lineup. So, for a few years I have been following Hanhart who have a number of fliger models of that style, but all with automatic movements, and "Automatic" proudly emblazoned on each and every dial, something that really annoys me about virtually any automatic movement watch. So, when I saw this 417 Bronze without "Automatic" on the dial, I knew something good was up! The watch has a manually-wound Sellita SW 510 M chronograph movement. And the bronze case, Bund strap, highly globed crystal, and use of original Hanhart logo are all bonuses to me.

While the price of $1900USD can hardly be called frugal, I feel it is excellent value. Including Customs duty, taxes etc. I ended up paying around what the base MSRP of a bronze Oris Pointer Date would be, and that is not including taxes.

The watch comes on a supremely comfortable 2-piece Bund strap, of excellent grade supple calfskin. The watch is also presented in a beautiful black calfskin folder.

Technical Data:

Movement: Base Sellita 510 M, symmetrical pusher arrangement, 28,800 A/h, 4 Hz, 23 jewels, Power Reserve of 58 hours
Functions: Bicompax chronograph, small seconds at 9, 30 min. counter at 3, stop-second
Dial: Historic logo, with Super-Luminova C3 GL coated numerals and hands, which have a subtle cream shade
Strap: Bund, Black calfskin with white stitching and underlay, lug width 21mm
Case: Bronze, satined and polished, diameter 42mm, lug-to-lug 49.5mm
    Height with glass 13.3mm, 11.55mm without glass
    Crown with historic Hanhart "h"
    Fluted, bi-directional rotating bezel, non-ratcheting, with red marking
    Highly domed anti-reflective glass like the historic model
    Screwed down solid stainless steel case back, engraved with historic logo and Revolution logo, water-resistant to 10bar/100m

Photos of unboxing and the watch:
    


































I truly felt this timepiece deserves it's own review thread. Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Carl

[priamo]

Very interesting and congratulations. A lot of watch for the money. And they even offered a Steve McQueen type motorcycle jacket. Quite a history to the piece even pre-McQueen. Those are great photos of McQueen in his motorcycle jacket with the US Flag. Shocking the location of McQueen's 417 is unknown now per article. Carl, with the BE 417 on you'll be "the coolest guy in the room." Again.

[carl]

priamo Thanks for reading my review. Coolest guy in the room indeed!   Anyway, the history of the watch and it's popularity with Steve McQueen definitely adds a bit of intrigue to the watch. The last thing I need now is another watch, while I am doggedly attempting to refine my collection, and that is actually going very well. With the amount and quality of the watch for the price, I felt it was hard to pass up. And this Sellita chronograph movement is building a fine reputation, especially with the likes of Sinn and Hanhart, and has been with Oris for a long time.

Apparently Hanhart is coming out with the same model, but in stainless steel, but I don't know if it will be a LE or not. They claim that this Bronze is the same price as the stainless steel model will be. I have read so many articles about this watch, but can't remember which one had the info about the upcoming stainless steel model. I really do think it's time that they come out with a manually wound model.

The only thing I would change is that I would rather have a plexiglass/acrylic crystal, although this one is really so well done. Can't have everything!

[priamo]

I don't seem to care for coin bezels but it works here in that it rotates. So the coining functions for grip instead of the stationary ones for show.

[Baco Noir]

priamo - "a lot of watch for the money" was my first thought too. Like you I'm not usually a fan of the coin edge bezel with no markings on the watch bezel, but it works here with the styling and bonus points that it rotates.  Some of these with the coin edge bezel wrap around to the base of the bezel in a very rounded fashion and look strange - this one just went at a 45 degree and looks much better.  Also, without the bezel rotation, the red mark at 12 would be as the saying goes "worthless as teats on a bull".  

carl - I agree that it's hard to call this a frugal, but I think there is a sweet spot for watches in this in-between zone.  You get much more unique style than the mass produced copies and with better construction. 

[carl]

Baco Noir First thought on my mind Aug. 07 when I saw the release of this watch was whether or not the bezel rotates. Soon as I found out that it does, plus a few other details, I was sold. Revolution and Hanhart, from all the articles I read, appear to have done everything possible to make this as close to the original model. Including details of the size and shape of the crystal and use of the historic logo.

I haven't seen anything as far as quality being compromised. Just as an aside: Although I love the Zenith Cronomaster that I have, I have been looking for a replacement. No issue with the quality, but the finish on the case itself. I could never get the patina to advance beyond what it was when I acquired the watch. I actually polished the crown just as a test to see if it would gain patina. It still looks almost as it did the day I polished it, so my guess is that Zenith has treated the material somehow so that further aging might not be possible. Also, I finally found out what that they actually coated the bronze with a black PVD, then brushed it to give an aged effect. Admittedly, it did work, and it is a stunning looking watch. However, I am not impressed by the faux aging process, and disappointed due to the fact I am looking for a bronze watch that will age naturally over time. You can see from this photo where I polished the crown, over 8 months ago, and also the markings on the case from where the PVD was brushed:



Now, after all this banter, I am still on the fence whether or not to sell the watch. On one hand it is discontinued so it would be difficult to replace, although there are some pre owned ones going for very sweet prices. On the other hand, I am going to be lucky to get about half what I originally paid. Apart from my issues with the finishing, it is still a great looking watch, and that El Primero Flyback is sublime. Whether it now gets much wear since I got the Hanhart remains to be seen.

I know you're a busy guy, so I'll shut up for now!  

[Baco Noir]

carl - I am slammed at work but these little distractions allow me to disconnect from the stress for a few minutes a day so 

I had no idea about the forced or faux patina on the Zenith and it is little things like that which can get under a WIS' skin and ruin the experience on a perfectly good watch.  Add in taking a hit on resale like that and ugh!    I DO love the balance and proportions on the Zenith and think it's a looker, but I've flipped for less so I get it.  

[priamo]

Here's the Tutima Flieger 1941 Carl referenced.



As an aside; the article has quite the photo of McQueen sitting on his sofa pointing his revolver. At what? Anyway I read that Elvis Presley, when he was at Graceland, used to shoot the tv whenever Neil Sedaka came on. 

[carl]

Sept 11, 2020 9:10:24 GMT -6 priamo said:

Here's the Tutima Flieger 1941 Carl referenced.



As an aside; the article has quite the photo of McQueen sitting on his sofa pointing his revolver. At what? Anyway I read that Elvis Presley, when he was at Graceland, used to shoot the tv whenever Neil Sedaka came on. 

That Tutima Flieger 1941 is a gem! One of the main reasons I like it so much, and a feature I prefer even over my 471, is the huge crown. That really impressed me back then. Also, the pushers are larger.