Heuer - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Heuer
    Year: Circa 1974
    Reference No: 1550 SG
    Case No: Case back stamped Luftforsvaret and military issued number 9233/74, issue number repeated inside lugs.
    Model Name: Luftforsvaret,
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 230, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather Bund style strap, further accompanied by "tropic" rubber strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case and dial signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a document from Capt. Riise confirming this was his watch, service reports, copies of newspaper articles reporting Ltd Riise on duty, numerous photos of Riise and his squadron, a tropic rubber strap and Riise’s fighter helicopter helmet

  • Catalogue Essay

    Heuer has a long history in military watches serving the airforces of numerous nations.

    The Ref 1550 SG is known to have been made for the German Bundeswehr in the 1970s, however an extremely rare example known only within a select circle existed and made for the Norweigian Airforces: the Luftforsvaret, (as engraved on the caseback) and of which about 50 are believed to have been delivered.

    The model is stamped with issue number 9233 and 74 which corresponds to the year of issue. The issue number is repeated between the lugs, and incredibly rare event as most of the casebacks were switched when the watches were sent back for servicing.

    The watch was issued to helicopter pilot 1st Lt Tor-Gunnar Riise of the 339th squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Lt Riise started his career as flight engineer in 1977 flying the Bell UH-1B Iroquois, he retired in 2001 with the grade of captain.

    The most amazing aspect of the present watch is not its ultimate rarity, excellent condition and the fact that the caseback number corresponds to the one between the lugs but the fact that it comes with an impressive number of accessories including a document from Capt. Riise confirming this was his watch, service report, copies of newspaper articles reporting Ltd Riise on duty, numerous photos of Riise and his squadron and Riis’s fighter helicopter helmet!

    The reference 1550 SG presents all the characteristics of a military watch with its black dial, large luminous Arabic numerals, hacking seconds and flyback chronograph.

  • 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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122

Ref. 1550 SG
A very rare and attractive stainless steel fly-back chronograph wristwatch issued to the Royal Norwegian Air Force accompanied by numerous documents and a fighter pilot's helmet

Circa 1974
42mm Diameter
Case and dial signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 18,000 
€11,100-16,700
$13,100-19,600

Sold for CHF20,160

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020