One of the most coveted of the Autavia models, the present reference 2446 from 1966 was especially favored by its namesake, the rakish Formula 1 Champion, Jochen Rindt, who wore the watch as documented in numerous published photographs. He was a prolific racing driver in the 1960s until his untimely death, during the practice session at Monza for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix. Supported by his beautiful wife Nina, who famously sported a Universal Genève Compax, now known to collectors as the "Nina Rindt'; making this glamorous couple the only one where each partner's name was given to a watch by the collectors.

The present lot features a stunning matt black dial with contrasting crisp white subsidiary registers, and sports the narrower, yet robust, rotating bezel calibrated for twelve hours, perfect for counting elapsed time or tracking a second time zone.

The rugged yet refined second execution screw back case with streamlined bevelled lugs measures a hefty 39mm in diameter and is a favorite of the Heuer collecting community. So much so that it was selected amongst 16 Autavia examples as the inspiration for the new TAG Heuer Autavia launched in 2017. This watch is the savvy collectors' chance to not only own a superior example of the "Rindt" but to be thoughtfully transported back to the Formula 1 pit lanes of the 1960s.