Heuer Autavia, 2446 1st Execution Dial, STeel

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Brand: Heuer
Model: Autavia - 2446 1st execution
Movement: manual-winding Valjoux Cal. 72
Case material: stainless steel
Case size: 39 mm
Crystal: plexiglass
Bracelet material: black leather strap with tang buckle
Functions: Chronograph, Hours, Minutes, Sub-seconds
Features: unrestored dial, rotating bezel
Water resistance: N/A
This extremely rare, manual winding first execution Heuer Autavia 2446 from the early 60s is in excellent original and unrestored condition. It is in stainless steel, with a first execution dial and Mark II pushers and hands.

Heuer Autavias in general are currently in very high demand and none other is more collectible than a first execution 2446. Rarer than any Paul Newman Daytona, this is due to both low production and the fact that many examples have been badly restored and replaced with later parts. This example on the other hand, has to be admired for its excellent unrestored condition.

This first execution Heuer Autavia 2446 has a reverse panda dial and features oversized registers, or ‘big subs’. The index hour markers are inlaid with radium lumes, together with the singular Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock. Furthermore, what is characteristic to the watch is the steel edged, wide Dauphine hands, which are also filled with radium. Over the years, the lume on this watch has aged to a consistent, creamy yellow patina, complementing the concentric, off-white sub-dials fantastically.

The original hour rotating bezel is in remarkable condition with very minor scratches, with its radium fill at 12 o’clock still present. The crown of the watch is correct, as early Heuer Autavias did not feature signed crowns. Moreover, the pushers are original, evident through the smaller size compared to the later Autavias.

Sized in a proportionate and wearable 39 mm case, the watch features straight lugs that are sharply bevelled. The watch case is thick and does not suffer from over polishing. This can be seen through the strong visibility of the bevels in the lugs, and also the clarity of the engravings on the screw-down caseback, bearing  the standard Heuer inscriptions.

Powered by a Valjoux 72, a tried and tested column wheel chronograph calibre, famed for its reliability and widespread use by big manufactures such as Rolex. This Heuer Autavia First Execution 2446 comes on a black leather rally strap.

If you are interested in investing in a vintage watch like this Heuer Autavia 2446, you should read Christopher Beccan's view on our blog.

Year: Early 1960s
Condition: vintage
Warranty: 12 months limited
Box: N/A
Paperwork: N/A
Availability: now
UK Delivery: free next day
Overseas delivery: 3-5 working days
Returns: 14 days
Price: UNDISCLOSED