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

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  • Manufacturer: Heuer
    Year: 1970
    Reference No: 7753
    Case No: 107'913
    Model Name: Carrera "LuM - FAé Belgian Airforce"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, Valjoux 7733, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Heuer "sun" buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Literature: The present watch is illustrated in "Heuer Carrera Chronographs 1963 – 85" by Richard Crosthwaite & Paul Gavin, pages 120-121

  • Catalogue Essay

    The late 1960s saw Belgian forces emerge from the divisive "Congo crisis” leading Belgium to heavily invest in its military and air forces. Part of the equipment was a number of timepieces manufactured by Heuer following a very small order. This particular watch was made for the "class of 1970” literally for one year only, making this timepiece exceptionally rare as less than 10 are currently known.
    The early models unusually and uniquely housed the Valjoux 7733, as opposed to the Valjoux 7730, found in other reference 7753 models. Whilst civilian examples were in circulation, they would not have had the LuM-FAé (Lucht Macht - Forces Aériennes) military marks on the reverse, nor the year and military personnel number beneath.
    This watch is a deceptively simple connoisseur's piece; as a matter of fact, aside from being a very rare and fascinating watch, it is also a stark reminder that Heuer timepieces were also important tool watches that played a crucial role in military 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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Ref. 7753
A fine and extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial and two subsidiary registers, made for the Belgian Air Force.

1970
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 18,000 

Sold for CHF30,000

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