Hanhart 417 ES Moby Dick 39 mm

3 WEEK DELIVERY

The Civil Version of an Icon
Frequently requested, finally available: with the new Moby Dick 39 mm, Hanhart presents the white-dial version of the historic 417 ES chronograph in its original size for the first time. Inspired by one of the rarest executions of the 1950s, this model stands for precise instrument aesthetics beyond military specifications – born civil, uncompromisingly functional.

The thermally blued hands, whose deep blue tone comes alive depending on the angle of light, lend the watch remarkable depth. The anti-magnetic case reliably protects the movement from external influences, while water resistance of 10 ATM makes the chronograph fully suitable for everyday use.
Instead of the classic red bezel marking, the Moby Dick 39 mm features an ivory colored Super-LumiNova® insert. Perfectly matched to the dial numerals and hand inlays, this iconic chronograph ensures excellent legibility even in daylight.

The Watch and Its History
The designation “Moby Dick” traces back to an exceptionally rare version of the historic Hanhart 417 ES chronograph from the 1950s. While the 417 model is predominantly known with a dark dial, a small number of examples featured a white dial with blued hands. This execution deliberately departed from the instrument-style appearance common at the time, focusing instead on maximum legibility and a distinct civil aesthetic.

Due to its limited availability and distinctive design, this white-dial version gradually became a highly sought-after collector’s piece. Among collectors, the nickname “Moby Dick” emerged as a reference to the white whale from Herman Melville’s novel, symbolizing rarity and strong recognisability. The name was never an official historical model designation, but rather a term that evolved over time within the international collectors’ com-munity and was later consciously adopted by Hanhart.

The Hanhart 417 ES chronograph was used in various professional fields where precise time measurement was essential. Versions with light colored dials were aimed in particular at users outside standardized military requirements, such as in civil aviation, technical professions, or medical environments. The white-dial version thus represents a civil interpretation of the classic chronograph – factual, functional, and free from formal service regulations.

Iconic Design with State-of-the-Art Technology
In many ways, the Moby Dick 39 mm is a time machine. It com-bines the defining design elements of the 1950s with modern materials and contemporary manufacturing quality. Particularly striking are the precisely executed, high-gloss polished facets that create a clear transition between the satin-finished lugs and the case flanks. A typical Hanhart design feature is the fluted bezel, which rotates smoothly in both directions. Its ivory-coloured Super-LumiNova® insert replaces the classic red marker and is perfectly colour-matched to the dial and hands. The bi-compax layout, typography, and historical lettering are consistently based on the early 417 and have been faithfully re-interpreted.

Inside, behind the screw-down stainless steel case back, operates the proven hand-wound SW510 caliber in Swiss Made quality. It features hacking seconds and offers a power reserve of up to 58 hours. While historical models were limited in every-day usability, the Moby Dick 39 mm is water-resistant to 10 bar, clearly designed for modern use.

An inner soft iron core provides effective shielding of the movement against magnetic influences. As a result, the Moby Dick 39 mm achieves anti-magnetic resistance of up to 16,000 A/m, underscoring its technically functional character for daily wear.

The German Virtue Of Punctuality
Hanhart’s standard for rate accuracy is as distinctive as the watches themselves. Every single movement is tested and regulated by highly skilled watchmakers at the Hanhart manufacture in Gütenbach. Hanhart specifications for accuracy range from 0 to +8 seconds per day, averaged over six positions. This corresponds to the same overall deviation as plus/minus four seconds, with the difference that Hanhart does not allow any negative deviation in the main positions. Additionally, a maximum delta of ten seconds between positions is permitted. The German virtue of punctuality demands that Hanhart wearers should never be late due to their timepiece.

Some of the images that show the watch on a leather strap. The strap is an optional extra

CASE
Dimensions
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Height: 13.60 mm (11.55 mm without crystal)
• Lug to Lug: 46 mm

Material
• Satin/polished stainless steel
• Anti-magnetic inner case up to 16,000 A/m

Bezel
• Fluted stainless-steel bezel, bi-directional, continuously rotating
• Ivory coloured marking with Super-Lumi-Nova® Light Old Radium GL

Case back
• Screw down case back
• Stainless steel
• Individual serial number

Crown
• Crown with historical Hanhart "h"

Crystal
• Convex sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating
• High-domed crystal in the style of the historical model

Water resistance/Shock Protection
• Up to 10 bar / 10 ATM in accordance with DIN 8310
• Shock-protected with special Hanhart shock protection system

DIAL & HANDS
• White dial
• Ivory coloured Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova® Light Old Radium GL
• Thermally blued hands with Super-Lumi-Nova® Light Old Radium GL
• Historical Hanhart logo

STRAP/BRACELET
• Stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp
• Lug width: 20 mm

MOVEMENT
Hand-wound movement

Timekeeping accuracy
• Hanhart regulation: 0 to +8 seconds per day, as an average across all positions

Functions
• Small seconds
• 30-minute counter
• Central chronograph seconds
• Hacking seconds (stops completely for accurate time setting)

Basis
• Sellita SW510 M
• Frequency
• 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
• Jewels23

Power reserve
• At least 58 h