Heuer - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Heuer
    Year: Circa 1969
    Reference No: 1158S
    Case No: 174'263
    Model Name: Carrera Chronomatic
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 11, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    1969 was a significant year for Heuer. The years leading up to it had seen Jack Heuer reposition the brand as number one in the hearts and minds of motorsports enthusiasts. The company’s name had been placated on the world’s most desirable and fastest cars, most notably on Ferrari’s Formula One cars, and many in the sport swore by Heuer’s timekeeping equipment.

    Heuer’s main competition took place far away from the racetracks. Jack Heuer, the company’s then CEO, had heard rumblings about “Project 99”, a rumored collaboration between Breitling, Hamilton-Buren and Dubois Depraz to create the first automatic chronograph and boost sales of Swiss chronographs which were drastically loosing speed since the beginning of the 1960s. Heuer maneuvered quickly to present his own Heuer-branded version, and in March of 1969, the four watch companies held simultaneous press conferences in Geneva and in New York to announce the arrival of their new automatic chronographs.
    The present very early automatic Carrera Chronomatic was the first to present Heuer’s new automatic caliber. The word Chronomatic would later disappear from Carerra’s language, to be used solely by Breitling.
    To go with the new automatic caliber, the Carrera's design was slightly altered, the crown moving to the left side of the case in order to differentiate it from the self-winding version.
    This example is not only a very rare first execution Chronomatic but it is also one of the very few produced fully in gold. Combined with the excellent condition of the watch, this is a very rare opportunity to obtain a piece that played a significant role in the brand’s history.

  • Artist Biography

    Heuer

    Swiss • 1860

    This iconic chronograph manufacturer has a long tradition of precision timekeeping. As early as 1882, founder Edouard Heuer held a patent for a chronograph watch; in 1887, he received a patent for an oscillating pinion, which is still in use today. These specialized timepieces have been at the heart of the firm's success, enabling the brand to be chosen as early timekeepers for the Olympics. In 1969, the company introduced their first automatic chronograph watch, the Monaco Heuer, which celebrated the Monaco Grand Prix. Other key chronograph models include the Autavia and the Carrera, all of which having become iconic models of the firm.

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165

Ref. 1158S
An early automatic yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with silver dial and date

Circa 1969
38mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€26,400-44,000
$30,700-51,200

Sold for CHF81,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018