Why We Love It

When the name 'Steve McQueen' is associated with wristwatches, it is generally used to describe the iconic Heuer Monaco worn in the racing film Le Mans, his Rolex Submariner 5512, or even the Rolex 1655 Explorer II 'Orange Hand' that has come to bear his nickname due to a decades-old misidentification that just won't die.

While those watches are all relatively well-known and documented, McQueen also had an affection for a rare, little-known Hanhart flyback chronograph Reference 417ES, and a number of classic images of the actor show him sporting one on a leather cuff strap. McQueen also made film appearances with the watch, including in The War Lover.

Estimates suggest only about 500 of these German military chronographs were produced in solid stainless steel, whereas the majority were cased in chrome-plated brass.

At 38mm, the stainless steel case was definitely considered oversized for the 1950s. Its matte black dial has a dual-register chronograph with the flyback function and large luminous Arabic indices and syringe hands. The example presented today has developed a rich patina throughout. With oversized barrel pushers and a bi-directionally rotating coin edge bezel with red timing indicator, there's no wonder why the King Of Cool found it appealing. 

Strong examples of the 417ES turn up seldomly - this is the first time we've ever had the privilege of offering one, and we couldn't be more excited about it.

We guarantee you will be, too!