Heuer

Apart from Motorsport and immense style, there is one thing that connects the likes of Steve McQueen, Gilles Villeneuve, Jochen Rindt and Derek Bell: The Heuer Autavia. First produced in 1962 the Autavia, a fusion of ‘Automotive’ and ‘Aviation’, was the first chronograph wristwatch Heuer produced that bore a model name on the dial.

The present watch is powered by the Valjoux 72, the same engine that fuelled the manual winding Rolex Daytona. This gives the watch a slightly deeper profile than its sister reference 3646 utilising the slimmer Valjoux 92. 

Another key feature, though not specific to this reference, is the rotating bezel. The 2446 was produced with two types of bezel one calibrated for 12 hours and the other calibrated for 60 minutes, as with the lot here. In their advertisements Heuer praised the bezel as ‘the most useful feature of the new Autavia’ and listed the benefits to Scientists, Divers and Pilots –

‘Pilots set known timemarkers in advance e.g. approach time before landing, acceleration-time before take-off, estimates time of arrival etc.

Skindivers, Sportsmen and Scientists can preset any known timemark such as diving time, oxygen supply etc.’ 

The present lot is offered at auction in honest, "barn find" condition. The watch, ultimately a tool, shows some signs of wear consistent with its purpose. The watch retains its presence however, and is further elevated as its age shows amounting huge character overall. It is further distinguished by being accompanied by its original Heuer World wide guarantee.