Hanhart Adds Steve McQueen Signature to New 417 ES Pilot Watch
Hanhart has officially secured approval from the grandchildren of Steve McQueen to release the Hanhart 417 ES Steve McQueen Limited Edition No. 1, a 300-piece watch featuring the actor’s signature on the dial. The timepiece pairs historical 1950s design elements with modern watchmaking specifications, including a 39mm stainless-steel case and a hand-wound movement.
Historical Roots in 1950s Aviation and Racing
The original Hanhart 417 debuted in the mid-1950s as a pilot’s chronograph for the German Bundeswehr, engineered for readability and rugged operation. Monochrome-Watches reported that the “ES” designation stands for Edelstahl, denoting the rare and durable stainless-steel variant. Historic photographs from McQueen’s life away from Hollywood frequently show the 417 ES on his wrist during off-road motorcycle competitions. In 1964, he raced for the US team at the International Six Days Trial in East Germany aboard a modified Triumph under race number 278. He later entered endurance events such as the Baja 1000 under the pseudonym Harvey Mushman to deflect public attention.
Design Specifications of the Limited Edition
The Steve McQueen Limited Edition No. 1 mirrors the proportions of the historical 417 ES, utilizing a 39mm stainless-steel case measuring 13.3mm thick and 46mm lug-to-lug. The black matte dial includes white Arabic numerals and a traditional bi-compax layout filled with Light Old Radium Super-LumiNova. Steve McQueen’s signature appears in a restrained script beneath the shockproof inscription and above the 6 o’clock marker.
AMT5100 M Caliber Powers the Timepiece
Powering the timepiece is the hand-wound AMT5100 M caliber, developed by Sellita’s high-end department, AMT Manufacture. The curved front sapphire crystal and screw-down caseback provide 100 meters of water resistance while exposing the movement. Hanhart pairs the watch with a dark brown Shell Cordovan continuous cuff strap supplied by Italian tannery Comipel, mimicking the exact wearing style seen in archival photographs of McQueen.
Production Limits to 300 Numbered Pieces
The release is strictly limited to 300 individually numbered pieces worldwide. The package also includes a bottle of red nail polish referencing the historical legend surrounding the red chronograph pusher. While romantic lore suggests a pilot’s girlfriend painted the reset button red so he would return safely, the functional purpose was to prevent accidental resets during military operations.
How Many Hanhart 417 ES Watches Exist?
How many pieces of the Hanhart 417 ES Steve McQueen Limited Edition No. 1 are being produced?
Hanhart is limiting production to exactly 300 pieces worldwide, with each watch individually numbered.
Which movement powers the Steve McQueen 39mm edition?
The watch runs on the hand-wound AMT5100 M movement produced by AMT Manufacture, which is based on the Sellita SW510 M and features a flyback function.
Whose approval was required to place the actor’s name on the dial?
McQueen’s grandchildren, Chase and Madison McQueen, were directly involved in the project and authorized the use of their grandfather’s signature on the dial.