In August 2024, Hanhart will release a special limited edition of 148 pieces to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tornado's maiden flight on August 14, 1974. The watch is a collaboration with PANAVIA Aircraft GmbH.
August 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Tornado's maiden flight. To commemorate this milestone, Hanhart, in collaboration with PANAVIA Aircraft GmbH, is launching a special edition limited to 148 pieces, reflecting the date of the maiden flight, August 14.
On August 14, 1974, the Tornado took its inaugural flight as part of testing for a new multi-role combat aircraft in European defence cooperation. The aircraft, painted white and red-orange and registered P.01 D-9591, was piloted by British pilot Paul Millett and German test pilot Nils Meister.
Under the call sign LUNA 23, the flight lasted 33 minutes and marked a significant achievement in European defence collaboration, leading to the Tornado equipping air forces in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
Hanhart's special edition watch mirrors the 417 ES service watch originally delivered to the German Air Force in 1955. The new model maintains the appearance, dimensions, and functions of the historic 417 ES, which was supplied to the German Armed Forces until 1963. The surviving examples of the original 417 have become highly sought-after vintage chronographs.
The 417 ES Tornado combines the distinctive details of the past with modern materials. Features include sharply drawn and polished chamfers transitioning from the lugs to the case flanks and a bi-directional fluted bezel with red position markings, echoing the historical model. The bi-compax layout and dial details are direct copies of the early 417, including the reactivated numbers, fonts, and branding.
The watch is powered by the reliable Swiss Made Sellita AMT 5100 M Flyback movement, offering precision and a 58-hour power reserve. Unlike the historic 417, the new model is water-resistant up to 10 bar.
Design elements include the cockade in the colors of Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom below the running seconds at 9 o'clock, mirroring the aircraft's markings. The Tornado logo is on the lower half of the dial. The case back features an embossed view of the plane with wings at 67°, the Tornado logo, flight details, and the serial number XXX/148. Luminous material in Old Radium color enhances the vintage look of the hour indices and hands.
This limited edition celebrates the Tornado's legacy and Hanhart's heritage in crafting precision timepieces for the aviation industry.
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