The history of how the first automatic chronographs came to exist is quite simply put mindboggling, it is a story about one of the most important moments in watchmaking history. During the 1960's three major brands (or joint venture of brands) were racing to produce the first automatic chronograph movement. In Japan, Seiko was pushing innovation from their R&D department. In Switzerland Zenith was also trying to develop said movement alone, and finally also in Switzerland Heuer, Breitling and Hamilton-Buren partnered (a venture labelled at a later stage Project 99”) with movement specialist Dubois-Depraz. The joint-venture "Project 99" resulted in the creation of caliber 11. Watches housing Caliber 11 are easily identifiable as the crown was placed on the left side of the watch, to enhance the fact that the later was not daily needed anymore.

This Heuer Autavia from 1969 is one of the early generation models with the iconic and sought after "Chronomatic" dial configuration. The name Chronomatic was used by Heuer only for a very short period of time. It was later used solely by Breitling. The splashes of red on the chronograph hands and hour indicators contrast quite prominently against the black and white colors of the dial. The date aperture at 6 o'clock allows for easy and quick readability.
Presented in overall excellent condition, this Autavia Chronomatic showcases a beautifully preserved and original dial, the Gay Frères bracelet is in similar conditions to the case maintaining its rigidity and shape.
Increasingly hard to come by, this Heuer Chronomatic in such appealing condition with this dial configuration is a rarity and an opportunity any vintage chronograph collector should not let go of.