Heuer - The Crosthwaite & Gavin Collection: Exceptional Heuer Chronographs From The Jack Heuer Era Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Heuer
    Year: Circa 1974
    Reference No: 1563T, case further engraved 1163V
    Case No: 270'948
    Model Name: Autavia 'Exotic'
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 15, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Original Heuer Corfam strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Heuer "sun" buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Together with original sale sticker to the reverse and numbered tag, fitted'Automatic' red Heuer box and guarantee booklet with outer plastic sleeve.
    Literature: A similar example is illustrated in "Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962 – 85" (2nd edition) by Richard Crosthwaite & Paul Gavin, pages 150-153

  • Catalogue Essay

    The “Exotic” Autavia, although driven by the Calibre 15, is housed in cases marked 1163V, thought to be leftovers from the Autavia promotion with Brown & Williamson and their “Viceroy” cigarette brand, which offered the 1163V (Viceroy) at a heavily reduced retail price, featuring a black dial with two white registers and red accents. Thousands of units were sold, with many surviving today. This is in stark contrast to the 30 “Exotic” Autavia examples known to be in collectors hands.
    The dial of the “Exotic” Autavia is a pure expression of the 1970; colorful, playful, avant-garde, in much the same way as the Rolex “Exotic” Paul Newman dials. It was believed that the unusual checkerboard dial hash marks (1/5th seconds for accurate timing) allied to the tachymeter bezel and the oversized lume plots, rendering the watch extremely legible, were conceived for race timing. Research suggests the correct configuration for this reference is with a Calibre 15 that does not have the letters “SX” visible on the bottom left hand side of the main plate (as is the case here).
    This is the first time a full set example in new old stock condition has been offered at auction and as a bonus it retains its original red sticker on the caseback. Having never been seen in an official brochure or publication, it is amongst the rarest and most coveted of the automatic Autavia chronograph models ever produced.

  • 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.

    View More Works

14

Ref. 1563T, case further engraved 1163V
A fine and rare stainless steel calendar chronograph wristwatch with orange accents on the dial, tachymeter bezel, box and papers.

Circa 1974
42mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 

Sold for CHF31,250

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
+41 22 317 81 89
vliatard@phillips.com

The Crosthwaite & Gavin Collection: Exceptional Heuer Chronographs From The Jack Heuer Era

Geneva Auction 11 November 2017