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: Circa 1965
    Reference No: 2446M
    Case No: 82' 999
    Model Name: Autavia '3rd execution Transitional'
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual cal. Valjoux 72, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Original Heuer Corfam Strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Heuer 'sun' buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Literature: A similar watch is illustrated in "Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-85" (2nd edition), by Richard Crosthwaite & Paul Gavin, pages 62-65.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Around 1965, the third execution dial Autavia Reference 2446 emerged. This all new dial had plain steel hour markers with tritium added to the tips (rather than directly to the dial), plain steel hands and a printed outer scale. Other features, such as the case, make this watch particularly important. These watches were initially housed in a 'transitional' case, produced for an extremely short period, with serial numbers ranging from around 8299x to just 834xx. These 'transitional' cases featured a bezel, which although still wide, was now without the lume piece. More noticeably still, the case had thick, straight lugs with no bevels, unique to this small batch. Additionally, the engraving inside the two step "Heuer Leonidas" signed casebacks were different to the earlier and later examples, making this case run truly special. This model was produced for such a short period that it nearly went completely unnoticed by the Heuer community until its rediscovery several years ago. In fact, only around fifteen are known to date.

    Research shows this example could be the earliest of this series yet found, indeed it may be the very start of this short and special run, which extended to at most 500 watches. Such unique and fascinating character makes for a special watch and it clearly plays an important part in the evolution of the Autavia chronograph. The superb condition of this lot is accentuated by the straight edges of the non-bevelled lugs and the sharp relief of the unusually pristine white sub-dials on the black ground.

  • 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. 2446M
A fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with reverse panda dial, white subsidiary registers and minute bezel.

Circa 1965
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 

Sold for CHF22,500

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